DEN’s Carbon Footprint Relative to Revenue Has Decreased by 28 Percent in Four Years
The key achievements of DEN’s sustainability work in 2024 were a reduced carbon footprint, improved employee satisfaction, and record-high customer satisfaction.
“Although global political discussions on sustainability vary, and the EU announced at the beginning of 2025 that it would ease the CSRD requirements for companies, our basic principle in sustainability work remains unchanged. We see impactful sustainability actions as an increasingly strong competitive advantage for the future, and transparent reporting as a way to build customer trust,” says Maria Mroue, DEN’s Director of Marketing, Communications and Sustainability.
Significant Developments in Sustainability in 2024
- The Designtalo ENERGIA product package with advanced energy efficiency and the Designtalo EKO package based on renewable and natural materials were launched on the market.
- DEN carried out a comprehensive double materiality analysis of impacts, risks and opportunities from the perspectives of the environment and climate, social responsibility, governance and the economy.
- Investments in occupational safety were increased, and safety instructions and materials were renewed.
- DEN renewed its strategy, in which sustainability is one of four competitive advantages and strategic focus areas. In the coming years, DEN aims to strengthen its position as an industry leader in sustainability.
Own Production Low-Carbon – Less Than Two Percent of Total Footprint
DEN Finland has calculated the carbon footprint of its entire operations since 2021, using the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard. DEN reports emissions from all three categories (Scopes 1–3). The carbon footprint includes direct emissions from operations (Scopes 1 and 2) as well as indirect emissions and life cycle emissions from buildings handed over to customers (Scope 3).
Both the total carbon footprint and emission intensity – the carbon footprint relative to revenue – have decreased significantly over the four-year measurement period. At the same time, the calculation has been refined and data quality improved every year.
The share of own production (Scopes 1 and 2) accounts for less than two percent of DEN’s total carbon footprint. This includes, for example, the operations of DEN’s factories in Alajärvi and Nivala.
The vast majority – 98 percent – of DEN’s carbon footprint arises from Scope 3, consisting of purchased products and services and the use of sold buildings. In practice, most emissions come from the procurement of construction materials, supplies and services, and from the energy consumption of completed houses.
In 2024, 54.1 percent of the prefabricated houses built by DEN were in Energy Class A. Most log houses were classified as Energy Class B due to the U-value of the log structure. Overall, 37.5 percent of all houses built by DEN were in Energy Class A, while of all new houses built in Finland in 2024, 36 percent were in Energy Class A. In addition to building materials and structural properties, the heating source – which depends on the customer’s choice, plot characteristics and zoning – has a major impact on the energy class.
Goal: The Industry’s Happiest Employees and Zero Accidents
Employee satisfaction in 2024 was at an excellent level. In the employee survey conducted in November, the eNPS was 42 and the manager NPS was 70. The response rate was also high, at 77 percent.
Long-term efforts have been made to improve occupational safety. For years, DEN has focused particularly on preventing risks and hazards. Safety walks at factories and audits at construction sites are carried out regularly. In addition, safety observations are collected, which anyone working on DEN’s sites, factories or offices can submit. Through these safety walks, audits and observations, DEN carries out corrective actions to prevent accidents in advance.
At the end of 2024, the accident frequency rate was 16.9 (7.1). Unfortunately, the frequency increased compared to 2023, but it still remained clearly lower than in 2022. Towards the end of the year, most accidents were related to slips and falls.
Investments in occupational safety were increased from the end of 2024 onwards, and the main focus area for 2025 was chosen to be the anticipation of risks and hazards.
Customer Satisfaction at a Record Level
Investments in product development, construction quality and customer experience were reflected in improved customer satisfaction. Customers particularly appreciate DEN’s reliability and the worry-free construction process.
DEN’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) reached a record level of over 70 in the last quarter of 2024, and the full-year NPS was nearly 64.
Inquiries and interview requests
Maria Mroue, Director of Marketing, Communications and ESG, DEN Finland maria.mroue[at]den.fi | +358 50 393 4974