Skanska (STO:SKAB) is establishing a new global unit charged with
supporting the Group’s worldwide operations in the rapid dispersal and
commercialization of technology, solutions and business models for green
construction.
The venture is an extension of Skanska’s intensive work in recent years
to map and develop various global solutions, methods and pilot projects
to create buildings that are energy-efficient and have low environmental
impact.
The new unit for green business will be called Skanska Green Business
and will be headed from Stockholm but will have employees throughout
Skanska’s operations in Europe and the United States. Cecilia Fasth will
head the new unit as GBO at Skanska and will report to Skanska’s
President and CEO Johan Karlström.
“Increasing the pace of, spreading and commercializing green
construction globally is currently the highest priority at Skanska. The
company realizes that green construction is becoming a mature product.
The technology and competence required to construct energy-efficient and
environmentally correct projects on a large scale is now available and
it also makes for economically viable business. Accordingly, now is the
time to act,” says Johan Karlström, President and CEO of Skanska.
“Skanska has already experienced growing demand and the environment will
benefit from more customers promptly gaining access to modern green
solutions. At the same time, Skanska foresees a multi-billion market in
Swedish Kronor (SEK) with strong growth potential,” says Johan Karlström.
Buildings currently account for 40 percent of global carbon emissions
during their lifetime, which is more than, for example, the automotive
industry where there now is a rapid progression toward more
fuel-efficient cars. Skanska wants to lead a corresponding development
in the construction sector.
“Skanska’s construction standards are already much more energy efficient
now than a few years ago, without costs ultimately rising. At the same
time, there is a rapid progression toward the environmental labeling of
buildings through such standards as the international LEED system. By
quickly offering a broad range of attractive solutions, an increasing
number of Skanska’s customers can lower their costs while simultaneously
making an environmental effort,” says Cecilia Fasth, Green Business
Officer (GBO) and head of Skanska Green Business.
Skanska Green Business will work to enhance the green offering for
Skanska’s customers. This may include solutions and agreements regarding
continuous upgrades to ensure that a property remains as energy
efficient as possible, even years after it was constructed or renovated.
“Skanska will offer its customers the most functional and financially
attractive green solutions. As a global company, Skanska has the ability
to optimize the best features from across the globe and rapidly spread
them,” says Cecilia Fasth.
Cecilia Fasth has worked at Skanska since 1996 and held a number of
positions in commercial property development. She has been President of
Skanska Fastigheter Gothenburg since 2006.
This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com
Skanska AB may be required to disclose the information provided herein
pursuant to the Securities Markets Act.
Skanska is one of the world’s leading project development and
construction groups with expertise in construction, development of
commercial and residential projects and public-private partnerships. The
Group currently has 55,000 employees in selected home markets in Europe,
in the US and Latin America. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and
listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Skanska's sales in 2008 totaled
SEK 144 billion.
.gif)
