Deutsche Reihenhaus AG is a property developer based in Cologne that operates throughout Germany and has been creating affordable residential property in urban locations for over 20 years. Using serial construction methods, the company builds hundreds of terraced and semi-detached houses as well as apartment buildings every year – efficiently, cost-effectively and with consistent quality. With more than 11,500 residential units built, Deutsche Reihenhaus is one of the largest project developers in the affordable housing segment.
OUTPUT SITUATION
Sustainability at Deutsche Reihenhaus
As a construction company, Deutsche Reihenhaus has a special responsibility: the use of concrete and the associated high COâ‚‚ emissions represent a major challenge. In order to actively tackle this, the appointment of Leonie Hunkert as Sustainability and ESG Officer laid the foundation for anchoring sustainability in the company in a strategic and structured manner.
The need for professional support quickly became apparent in order to create high-level sustainability reports and build an effective long-term strategy. While researching suitable solutions, Deutsche Reihenhaus came across Code Gaia – and the initial exchange developed into a close collaboration that still forms the foundation of the company’s sustainability management today.
Sustainability and climate protection are actually pure selfishness – the earth can live on without us, but we cannot live without our livelihood.
Leonie Hunkert
Sustainability Officer Deutsche Reihenhaus AG
Motivation and goals
Sustainability is not a compulsory program for Deutsche Reihenhaus, but a conviction. Even before regulatory requirements such as the CSRD came into force, the company voluntarily published sustainability reports in accordance with the GRI. These were initiated and implemented by an internal working group – consisting of employees who drove the topic forward out of their own motivation.
To this day, the Sustainability Forum shows just how firmly anchored this commitment is in the company: colleagues from various departments regularly contribute their perspectives, meet in addition to their actual work and actively help shape the sustainability path. This exchange not only ensures a broader perspective, but also a strong shared sense of responsibility.
With the introduction of ESRS reporting, Deutsche Reihenhaus consistently took the next step: more structure, more depth and a clear roadmap towards a sustainability strategy. When the Omnibus Regulation removed the reporting obligation at the beginning of 2024, the company could theoretically have shifted down a gear. But the decision was clear: to continue – out of responsibility, not compulsion.
“We have consciously invested human and financial resources in sustainability. We don’t do this because we have to, but because we want to,” emphasizes Leonie Hunkert. This intrinsic motivation characterizes the actions of Deutsche Reihenhaus – from the establishment of its own ESG function to the Sustainability Forum and the double materiality analysis.
CODE GAIA’S SOLUTION
Cooperation between Deutesche Rheinhaus AG and Code Gaia
Just a few weeks after the first meeting, Deutsche Reihenhaus opted for Code Gaia. The decisive factors were the combination of intuitive software, personal advice and a convincing price-performance ratio.
A central module was the double materiality analysis, which was carried out in the Sustainability Forum with eight committed employees. Different perspectives and discussions led to a particularly thorough result, which now serves as the foundation for concrete measures. Deutsche Reihenhaus was supported by the personal guidance of the Code Gaia experts.
The company also benefits from the software’s high level of user-friendliness, which presents complex topics in an understandable way and integrates employees directly into the data collection. Workshops and personal advice provide security when navigating the complex ESRS requirements. The result is not only a structured process, but also greater awareness and commitment to sustainability throughout the company.
For Leonie Hunkert, the greatest added value lies in the combination of software and personal support: “Especially when you are solely responsible for sustainability, it is extremely valuable to have a sparring partner at your side who provides security and expert support.”
The dual materiality analysis in the Sustainability Forum has shown us how valuable different perspectives are in order to truly understand opportunities and risks
CONCLUSION
Outlook
For Deutsche Reihenhaus, sustainability work is not a short-term reaction to regulation, but part of the corporate strategy. With Code Gaia, the company has created a basis that goes far beyond reporting: from the identification of risks and opportunities to the implementation of specific measures. Leonie sums it up by saying that sustainability and climate protection are not an additional expense, but a development opportunity for companies – and for society.
