Monday, 27 April 2026
Austrian construction group PORR has recorded an improvement in its latest assessment by CDP, reflecting progress in its environmental strategy and reporting.
The company received an A- rating for Climate Change, up from B in the previous year, and maintained a B rating for Water Security, with improvements noted in specific areas.
“Over the past two years, we have taken significant strategic steps in climate protection and sustainability and implemented them consistently. The improvement in the CDP rating confirms this course,” said Karl-Heinz Strauss, CEO of PORR.
The updated scores follow the implementation of a group-wide ESG strategy, the calculation of a full corporate carbon footprint and the introduction of a decarbonisation plan. The company is targeting a 43 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and a 25 percent reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, using 2024 as a base year. Its alignment with the Science Based Targets initiative was also reflected in the assessment. In water management, improvements were linked to expanded scenario analysis and enhanced data collection, including the use of water meters.
According to the company, its Sustainability Strategy 2030 delivered measurable results in its first year. Direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) were reduced by 22.5 percent, while value chain emissions (Scope 3) declined by 12.9 percent. Emissions intensity decreased by 14.3 percent, supported by stable production levels. The company attributed these changes to increased use of alternative fuels, expanded renewable energy use and lower overall energy consumption.
Total energy consumption fell by 9.2 percent to 817.1 GWh, while the share of renewable energy rose to 19.9 percent, compared with 7.7 percent in 2024. Measures included the wider use of photovoltaics and green electricity on construction sites, as well as adjustments to equipment usage.
In materials management, PORR reported an increase in its internal recycling rate from 50 percent to 57 percent, with more than half of recycled materials sourced from its own operations. The company said this reduces reliance on primary raw materials and exposure to supply volatility.
“The CDP rating shows that we are increasingly implementing our strategic goals in day-to-day construction site operations,” Strauss added.
CDP is a non-profit organisation that provides a widely used framework for environmental disclosure. More than 22,000 companies globally report environmental data through its platform, making its ratings a recognised benchmark for climate and sustainability performance.
