TCFD risks and opportunities

The TCFD (Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure), is a framework for the financial sector to include the impact of climate change in the assessment of business processes. The framework was created with the aim of identifying potential impacts of climate change on primary business processes. Heijmans uses it to provide insight, in conjunction with our CO₂ footprint, for example, into the impact of climate change on our business operations.

Type 

Subject

# 

Climate-related risk

Relevance to Heijmans 

Transition

Policy and legislation

Higher price for GHG emissions

Will eventually become visible in the charging on of purchased products

Improved emissions reporting

obligations 

Heijmans already reports according to standards

Increasing greenhouse gas emission limitation regulations

Directly visible when purchasing new equipment and additional requirements local councils in construction projects

Mandates for and regulation of existing products and services 

Part of regular tenders

Exposure to lawsuits

Heijmans is one of the frontrunners so risks are lower, management systems and certifications are in place

Technology

Replacement of existing products and services with lower-emission options

New technologies are already part of our designs

Failure to invest successfully in new technologies

Heijmans wants to be at the forefront in terms of equipment procurement. Part of investment monitoring

Cost of switching to lower emission technology

Emission-free construction requires relatively heavy investment in new equipment

Market 

Changing client behaviour

Heijmans is in a position to respond to changing demands

10 

Uncertainty in market signals

Firm commitment by public sector market, but uncertainty on regulatory issues

11 

Higher costs of raw materials

In particular due to passing on of CO₂ pricing and longer supply routes

12 

Declining availability of raw materials

Not necessarily related to climate risks

Reputation

13 

Shifts in consumer preferences

Heijmans' designs can meet demand

14 

Stigmatisation of the sector

Many initiatives and appreciation apparent

15 

Increased stakeholder concerns or negative feedback from stakeholders

Good contact with stakeholders 

Type 

Subject

# 

Climate-related risk

Relevance to Heijmans 

Physical

Acute
  

16 

Extreme river water levels

Previous situations managed logistically, though possible price risk and higher insurance costs

17 

Increase in heavy rainfall

Water damage to structures is still relatively limited, but does affect the construction process

18 

Increasing number of heatwaves

Relevant for employability of employees and continuity of projects, can be managed with measures

19 

Increase in forest fires

Affects natural areas more than built environment

20 

Increasing winds and storms

Damage to building sites and buildings due to windstorms (usually insurable)

Chronic 

21 

changes in rainfall patterns

and extreme variability in weather patterns

Measures frequently possible in the long term

22 

Rising sea levels

Permits awarded for construction in certain areas

23 

Rising average temperatures

Measures possible in design and required in regulations

24 

Changing ecosystems (including biodiversity) 

No relevant impact on direct business operations, but does represent an opportunity for service delivery. Emergence of persistent exotic species

Type 

# 

Climate-related opportunity

Relevance to Heijmans 

Efficient use of resources

Use of more efficient modes of transport and production and distribution processes

Attention for industrialisation and sustainable mobility

Use of recycling 

Gets a lot of attention in talks with supplying companies

Switching to more efficient buildings

Essential part of design new buildings

Reduced water use and

consumption

So far less relevant in Dutch context

Energy source

Use of lower-emission energy sources

Application of products and services in the built environment, such as development of electricity grid and underground infrastructure

Use of supportive policy incentives

Part of business cases, use of subsidies

Use of new technologies

Standardisation of application of heat pump technologies and alternative services

Participation in CO2 market 

So far no business models that can convert energy savings into carbon credits

Shift to decentralised power generation

Many solutions available for individual homes and neighbourhood clusters

Type 

# 

Climate-related opportunity

Relevance to Heijmans 

Products and services

10 

Development and/or expansion of low-emission goods and services

Both in home and building designs and energy supply. Opportunities through network expansion (electricity, hydrogen)

11 

Development of climate adaptation and insurance risk solutions

Mainly the construction of embankments, modification of innwer-city sewage systems and water storage

12 

Development of new products or services through R&D and innovation

Heijmans' role is system integrator and launching customer rather than innovator

13 

Potential to diversify business activities

Mostly expansion of existing products and services

14 

Shift in consumer preferences

Opportunity to provide clients with sustainable solutions

Markets

15 

Access to new markets

Mainly the energy market, development, management and maintenance of systems/lines

16 

Use of government incentives

Contribution to investments in sustainable equipment and renewable energy systems, often indirectly (renovation)

Resilience

17 

Participation in renewable energy programmes and adoption of energy efficiency measures

Various participations (see also overview Green Deals and partnerships in appendix 20.6.4)

18 

Substitution/diversification of resources

Switch from gas to electricity, particularly in the renovation market

19 

Green financing 

There are opportunities but often not decisive for the business case

L = Low risk/opportunity M = Medium risk/opportunity H = High risk/opportunity