For Solstra, it is important to act responsibly with a focus on limiting our environmental impact and to make a serious effort to avoid further global climate changes. We are conscious of the massive impact the building industry has on the environment, which is why Solstra has continuously included sustainability as an integrated part of our approach, process, and execution.

Approach
We believe it is important to maintain a holistic approach to sustainability to balance all aspects of the complex construction process and the many aspects where this process has a negative impact on the environment. For this reason, Solstra has, among other things, chosen to work with DGNB certification because DGNB certification, in our opinion, is based on a holistic understanding of sustainability which embraces all phases of the construction process.

Data as a driver
In our minds, certifications are a great way to document and confirm our efforts, but they are insufficient to ensure an ambitious sustainability level. Consequently, Solstra works methodically and in detail with each construction project to reduce the project’s environmental impact on its surroundings. We believe data is an essential driver towards a more sustainable construction industry. One of the crucial tools within data is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We use LCA to understand better where we can make the most important changes and where we can find new ways to reduce the environmental impact in the construction process effectively.

New regulations move the industry
We are focused on lowering the carbon footprint for every project we work with. Therefore, we welcome the new regulations regarding CO2 as this will help the industry to better register data and through this give a better basis to implement the needed transition of the industry.

Innovative solutions
Being aware that the most sustainable buildings are the ones we do not build, we aim to assess every project focusing on the possibilities within transformation, reuse and recycling. In addition, the traditionally used resources in the construction industry are limited nonrenewable resources, which is why we are focusing on how to rethink the materials and techniques to be used in the future. For example, we are currently planning a new high-rise building with part of the main construction made of wood. We do this to lower the building’s carbon footprint and avoid using limited resources where other biogenic resources can be used instead.

We do not work with carbon offsetting as part of the measurements of each individual project as we prefer to measure and communicate as transparent as possible. Therefore, our focus is on optimising each project in the best way possible within the project’s boundaries.

Conditions for biodiversity
In both rebuild and newbuild, we will unfortunately almost always disturb the existing biodiversity in the area. Because of the fragility of local biodiversity, we focus on and make an effort to limit the effect of our activities and reestablish good conditions for biodiversity. In Bellakvarter, we have worked with a considerable variation in the plants in all areas of the neighbourhood to make it green all year round and to attract different types of insects.

Social sustainability
Solstra remains focused on ensuring that new residential projects are developed to join people together and ensure healthy lives by focusing on the near environment, biodiversity, natural spaces, and social meeting points.

Solstra supports national and local charities such as Danmarks Indsamlingen, Knæk Cancer, Familier for kræftramte børn etc.