Sustainable development has ceased to be just a trendy slogan – it is now being implemented into the strategies of many companies. Its effective implementation requires responsibility, precise planning, and the use of advanced technologies. 2024 was the first full year of LemonTree's operation in a sustainable model. This meant a mental and operational shift in all areas of the organization’s activities. It is not an easy or straightforward process; it requires consistency in action across many levels.
LemonTree's sustainable development strategy – foundations and the creation process
Designing the sustainable development strategy at LemonTree required months of work – analysis, brainstorming sessions, and collaboration with external consultants and advisors from this field. It was an in-depth process that led to answers to many questions concerning the brand’s assumptions, business strategy, company values, and mission. Tangible results emerged in the form of 4 pillars, 17 goals, and 45 initiatives.
The implementation of our internal initiatives supports 10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) selected by us.
Pillars forming the foundation for achieving goals and initiatives
Pillar 1 – Transparency in all areas of our operations, in compliance with EU legislation. Conducting sustainable communication, based on facts and supported by certifications and specific calculations. Additionally, regular reporting in line with CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive).
Pillar 2 – Inspiration / Education – supporting education and dialogue with local communities and our partners, continuously inspiring each other, educating the team, and collaborating with universities.
Pillar 3 – Freshness and innovation – creating long-term, sustainable value for business, people, and the environment, testing and implementing innovations.
Pillar 4 - Respect for nature – creating energy-efficient buildings, caring for biodiversity and water footprint, focusing on decarbonization and implementing a circular economy.
This strategy has become the compass that guides us towards achieving the individual goals and initiatives within each of the pillars, which concern all processes at LemonTree. Approximately 40% of global emissions are generated by the construction industry, and this awareness has almost from the outset driven us to focus on mitigating them. We wanted our complexes to be designed and built in accordance with the sustainable development strategy as early as possible. We focused on designing with a cross-sectional approach, viewing it through the lens of reducing emissions, as well as energy efficiency, biodiversity, circularity, proper water footprint management, and the comfort of future users. Working in a sustainable model also means collecting data and analyzing it, so that the insights gained can allow for real assessment and potential changes that will bring environmental benefits.
The change in mindset, redefinition of the design work, and implementation of dedicated tools were incorporated into the work on new projects.
Impact assessment at every stage
Earlier, when writing on our blog about Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), we emphasized that it is one of the key tools we use at the design stage – guiding us through various phases, starting from A1-A3, which for us, as a developer, is particularly important. At this stage, we can make decisions to replace standard materials with those that have the lowest emissions. The proper selection of materials has a direct impact on the embedded carbon footprint, but also later – it plays a role in the context of the operational carbon footprint (B1-B7 stage). By having an analysis of materials and their emissions, we decided to use green steel in one of our projects. Green steel is made from at least 80% recycled materials. It is smelted in furnaces powered by electricity from renewable sources, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint at the very beginning of the investment.
Carbon footprint calculator – data-driven decisions
The carbon footprint calculator is a tool that allows the input of data from EPD cards and the global Ecoinvent database. This enables the selection of materials with lower emissions. Its advanced features allow for:
- comparing materials and technologies in real time;
- forecasting the operational emissions of buildings throughout their entire life cycle;
- optimizing logistical processes, such as material transportation.
We recommend an article by our CEO, Bartłomiej Krawiecki, presenting the process of developing our tool for calculating the carbon footprint. In this piece, you will learn how we created our own benchmarking system, allowing us to understand the data and quantities by which we reduce the emissions of our investments.
We act with energy
One of our most important decisions in 2024 was to abandon natural gas in favor of heat pumps. All of our planned projects will be equipped with such solutions. The entire energy-saving initiative is crucial in the journey towards zero-emission buildings. By 2030, all new buildings are expected to be powered by energy from renewable sources, which is why our managers negotiate the purchase of green energy with a guarantee of its origin, keeping in mind the benefits for our future and current tenants.
The key to zero emissions is the decarbonization process, which is closely linked to the energy transformation. When designing our complexes, we introduce various technologies aimed at energy efficiency. We reinforce the building structures of the roofs to prepare them for the installation of photovoltaic panels across the entire surface. We also implement energy storage systems, which are becoming an important element of future storage solutions and currently complement the PV installations. Instead of traditional solutions, such as gas heaters or roof-mounted fans, we use heat pumps along with supply and exhaust air handling units. The combination of this system with the PV installation will reduce energy demand, translating into tangible savings estimated at 450,000 PLN annually in electricity bills (for a warehouse with an area of approx. approx. 30,000 m²). The efficiency of a building is also affected by its airtightness. For this reason, at the design and construction stages, we place significant importance on this aspect, carefully considering it and verifying it through airtightness tests.
We also introduce enhanced insulation for the walls and roof, which helps reduce utility costs. Additionally, we implement improved daylighting in dock areas and picking zones by using light strips. It is worth noting that well-lit hall areas with natural daylight, combined with the DALI lighting control system, will reduce energy consumption. We also use LED lighting and destratifiers, which are among the first energy-efficient solutions on the market. Another solution is the use of autodocking gates, which are designed to maintain the internal temperature of the warehouse for as long as possible during loading.
Innovations
We are aware that innovations play a key role in achieving sustainable development goals, enabling the creation of more efficient, eco-friendly, and socially responsible solutions. In the face of global challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, and social inequalities, innovations are becoming the foundation for actions aimed at protecting the planet and improving the quality of life for current and future generations. With this in mind, we are exploring alternative solutions in the field of renewable energy sources.
Our focus and research have turned to bio-panels made from algae. We are currently searching for a supplier of such panels to experimentally install them at our complex in Zabrze. The goal of the pilot project is to analyze the performance and efficiency of this solution. Renewable energy sources are the future, and undoubtedly, its biomass production has significant growth potential. Although algae do not directly produce heat, through photosynthesis, they capture carbon dioxide and generate biomass, which can be converted into various forms of energy. This process is beneficial for the environment as it absorbs CO2 and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We face many difficulties in acquiring this type of panels. These include legislative barriers and issues related to their availability on the European market. However, we will make an effort to test a small quantity of them. Using available solutions is a necessity, but change and the potential for growth require exploring new technologies that may seem difficult to implement at the moment, yet could become the standard in the future.
Green infrastructure – respect for nature
Biodiversity protection and harmonizing the complex with its surroundings are among the key elements of our operating model. The FRESH WARSAW by LemonTree in Warsaw’s Targówek district is an interesting example of our approach to biodiversity. We recommend reading the article by Marcin Świderski, Head of Project Management, where he explains in more detail what we have achieved in this area.
The BOOSTER ZABRZE by LemonTree project also showcases a unique approach to biodiversity. The location, close to the city center, opened a dialogue with the local residents and the city authorities. We are creating an urban green space and a multifunctional sports field accessible to the community, as well as relaxation zones for tenants. This initiative reinforces our commitment to placing both the building's users and local communities at the heart of our focus. The biodiversity throughout the complex not only enriches the area biologically but also serves as a gesture towards future recipients. Maciej Krawiecki, COO and Head of Development & Leasing, provides a more detailed overview of the BOOSTER ZABRZE by LemonTree project.
People
Our sustainable development strategy includes many initiatives focused on the individual as part of urban, office, and warehouse environments. We observe that the area of sustainable development is still not fully understood and requires educational efforts. We strive to share our knowledge and experience with all our partners. Cooperation with higher education institutions provides value both for the institutions educating future generations and for us. Fresh ideas and openness to new approaches can significantly impact the development of new technologies, which we plan to test and implement in our complexes.
Legislation and CSRD reporting
Our actions are also aligned with the legislative requirements imposed by the European Union. The introduction of the CSRD directive, which came into effect in 2024, brings significant changes to sustainability reporting. As part of these regulations, we are required to disclose information regarding our activities in the areas of environmental impact, human rights, and corporate governance. This information will be reported in accordance with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
We are also preparing for reporting, starting with a double materiality analysis, the results of which will allow us to report according to the relevant indicators for LemonTree. The double materiality analysis will help identify and assess topics that are important both from the perspective of our organization’s impact on the environment and society, as well as the impact of sustainability issues on LemonTree. Through this analysis, we will identify priorities in the field of sustainable development. It will enable transparency and clearly demonstrate to our partners how we are addressing environmental and social challenges. Our actions will also be in line with legal requirements and provide a better understanding of our role in implementing a strategy aimed at greater environmental and social balance.
2025
The year 2024 resulted in the creation of our sustainability strategy and the implementation of many strategic initiatives. We hope that 2025 will be a year of further actions that bring us closer to achieving goals, as well as gathering data that will allow us to prepare an accurate and transparent CSRD report. It will also be a year of testing new technological solutions that we can use. We understand the many challenges ahead and the need for continuous, consistent work towards becoming a more sustainable organization with more sustainable complexes. The continuation of our cooperation with United Global Compact Poland and participation in the Climate Positive program remains a constant source of inspiration and knowledge expansion, supporting us in our pursuit of building a better future for the environment, society, and business.