Climate and environment

As a forerunner in sustainable infrastructure construction, GRK aims to be net zero for its own carbon dioxide emissions by 2035

The construction and transport sectors have a major role to play in the battle against climate change and biodiversity loss.

GRK builds infrastructure that meets customers’ requirements and users’ needs, while reducing its life-cycle environmental impact.

Our activities have a long-lasting impact on the surrounding society, as the lifespan of infrastructure can be dozens or even hundreds of years. We are actively developing more resource-efficient solutions and low-carbon materials. We also invest on rail construction and our environmental services, providing circular economy services to our broad customer base.

Every day, we take concrete and clear actions to promote sustainable construction. CO₂ emissions from infrastructure are mainly due to the materials and fuels used in construction, and, to a lower extent, energy consumption during the lifespan of the product.

Emissions can be reduced by using recycled materials, renewable fuels and ensuring appropriate recycling of soil, aggregates and waste. Emission reductions are also achieved by optimising the logistics of soil and aggregate transports and reducing material wastage.

Carbon footprint

The carbon footprint is a measure of the impact of various services and products on climate warming. It can be used to measure how much greenhouse gases are generated during construction, for example.  We have continued the work to reduce our own Scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions.

GRK’s carbon footprint has been calculated for the entire Group in 2024. The accounting takes into consideration Scope 1 and 2 emissions of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG).

Scope 1 ans Scope 2 emissions

The carbon footprint of own operations covers Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Our carbon footprint was 19,859 t CO2 eq. in 2024 (16,322 t CO2 eq.). Our carbon intensity, which takes into account the growth in revenue, was 27.3 t CO2 eq/M€ in 2024.

We have increased the amount of LPG used (2023: 1.9 Mkg, 2024: 2.5 Mkg). The LPG used in the paving business has a 15-20% lower carbon footprint than other fossil fuels. In addition, we have significantly increased the use of renewable electricity. In 2024, 93% of the electricity used by GRK was renewable (84%).

GRK has set a target of reaching net zero for its own CO2 emissions by 2035. We are constantly looking for new alternatives to fossil fuels and taking care of the efficient use of our machinery.

Scope 3 emissions

Scope 3 emissions describe indirect emissions resulting from GRK operations but occurring in our value chain. In 2024, GRK’s purchases were worth €530 million, or about 73% of our revenue. So procurement is a very significant part of our operations, and the most significant sources of emissions arise from the raw materials and other materials used, their manufacture and transport. Based on the calculation of raw materials and other materials as well as CO2 emissions related to transportation, the most significant Scope 3 emissions arise from the procurement of steel, bitumen and concrete products. In 2025, we will expand the calculation to include our 50 largest partners.

Carbon handprint

Carbon handprint describes the climate benefits, or emissions reduction potential, of a product, process or service.The carbon handprint calculation provides information on how GRK’s solutions can reduce our customers’ carbon footprint.

GRK measured its carbon handprint for the first time in 2022, and it amounted to 10,800 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This corresponds to the CO₂ emissions produced by all GRK personnel of approximately 10 t CO₂ equivalent per person per year. The carbon handprint was calculated for the first time, so the comparison figure for 2021 is not available. From the beginning of 2022, we also began to monitor the recycling of waste and and the development of its volume on construction sites with an application. Interest in introducing new functionalities is high, as the savings in resources are reflected in the profitability of the sites.

In 2024, GRK had a carbon handprint of 5,605 t CO2 eq. This includes emissions avoided through the use of recycled materials.

The use of recycled materials increased in 2024 to around 608,000 tonnes. Recycled asphalt used in the paving business accounted for 113,000 tonnes of that total. Our target for 2025 is to increase the use of recycled materials to 670,000 tonnes. This would keep us on the path to achieving our Circular Economy Green Deal target: using 1.5 million tonnes of recycled materials by 2035. The growth of the use of recycled materials is made possible by our extensive network in the circular economy business and the active approach taken by our sites when it comes to the use of recycled materials.

GRK’s network currently consists of 14 operating locations. At these locations, we receive, process and utilise surplus soil as well as various recycled materials such as concrete, ash, slag and tyres. The use of recycled materials replaces the use of virgin materials. This has a significant impact on biodiversity and the management of harmful climate emissions.  

When looking at the numbers as a whole, it is important to note that GRK’s carbon handprint has not been deducted from GRK’s carbon footprint.