Environmental, Social and Governance
Our Commitment
FVB’s environmental social and governance policies support our corporate commitment to sustainability for our projects, procurement processes, and people.
ESG Focus Areas Include:
- Climate Policy – Our own path to Net-Zero
- Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Human Rights Policy
- Procurement Policy
Corporate Sustainability Policy
Sustainability is at the core of FVB’s work. We recognize that conserving energy is perhaps the single most effective way to slow our warming climate. District Energy Systems are more efficient at heating and cooling buildings than traditional stand-alone systems and we are able to utilize energy sources that would otherwise be simply wasted.
Our own corporate Sustainability actions are put into practice as FVB regularly completes a sustainability review of our offices to understand the impact of our sustainability initiatives and to set goals for the next five years. Our initiatives include donations to charitable causes, participation in green initiatives – such as the Vancouver Office’s participation in Modo the car co-op – and daily practices to reduce waste and emissions of GHGs.
FVB makes considerable effort to work with those corporations who are as invested in sustainability practices as we are. The firms we have engaged as sub-consultants for this project have considerable investment in sustainable projects (such as biomass energy centres). The knowledge of sustainable systems translates into business practices, resulting in a team of environmentally friendly corporations.
FVB’s Sustainability Initiatives:
- We are proud members of the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC)
- We are proud to promote and practice environmental sustainability
- We advise clients on reducing the environmental impact of energy use
- FVB is committed to reducing energy consumption in our offices, recycling
Natural Environment
The industry in which FVB operates impacts the natural environment. For this reason we take special care to protect it and take into consideration the long-term, sustainable development of our ecosystems. FVB follows a proactive environmental policy and abides by local regulations in this area. Our care for the environment translates into the health of our employees and local communities.
- We minimize the impact of our operations on the natural environment.
- We abide by local environmental requirements.
- We optimize the use of natural resources and raw materials in the production process.
- We strive for optimal resource and supply management, and we are sensitive to any signs of waste, including in our daily use of resources and supplies at work.
Health & Safety
FVB is committed to the prevention of occupational illness and injury in the workplace. A commitment to the occupational health and safety of all personnel related to our business activities is morally correct, a sound business strategy, and enables the achievement of our values.
All activities are planned, controlled and carried out in such a manner that the risk of an unplanned event is reduced to as low as reasonably practical. Suitable and sufficient assessments are made of the risks to the health and safety of employees, third parties and any risks to the environment which may be created by our activities.
FVB’s occupational Health & Safety Policy covers policies on health and safety, environment, and human rights, and is regularly reviewed to ensure the policy reflects DMC’s current priorities, plans and targets. HSE-required permits will be acquired and maintained as necessary.
Accessibility & AODA
FVB Energy Inc. is committed to improving accessibility for people with a disability by breaking down physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers while complying with the principles of accessibility: dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.
We are committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence while creating an inclusive work environment for FVB employees to develop to their full potential. FVB works to prevent / remove barriers to accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Code of Ethics
FVB follows a Code of Ethics based on values common to the entire FVB Group. These values connect all employees, independent of their position in the organization or their nationality; and provide guidance for all our decisions and actions. By following our values, we contribute to FVB’s long-term success.
FVB Energy Inc. recognizes and values the diversity of our employees, clients, and stakeholders and strives to foster an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone feels respected. We recognize and appreciate differences in gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and disability, and believe this approach allows individuals to be themselves and do their best work every day. Demonstrating commitment and action toward a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive community, FVB Energy focuses on providing related education, resources and support to employees. FVB ensures the ethical treament of staff and social responsibility, as follows:
Integrity and Compliance with the Law
In relations with our customers, fellow employees, and external partners, we abide by the laws of the countries where we operate. We also respect voluntarily-accepted regulations resulting from, among others, ISO norms or participation in international organizations. We do not participate in actions which may lead to the law being broken, or the reputation of FVB being threatened.
- We abide by the law and the internal policies of FVB Energy Inc.
- We meet our obligations whether in written agreements or in verbal promises, with our customers, suppliers, and social partners.
- We perform our duties diligently.
- We do not take or offer bribes or other material or personal benefits; we do not establish contacts with companies of dubious reputation.
Mutual Respect
We follow the principle of respect for human dignity. We treat others with respect, even if their opinions and views differ from ours. Respect for others creates internal trust and an atmosphere of cooperation, and allows us to be courageous: expressing our opinions or submitting ideas, regardless of the position we hold in the organization. We believe that each opinion is valuable, as it may be conducive to the improvement of FVB’s working conditions and operating practices.
- We respect the rights, dignity, and personal freedom of our employees and business partners.
- We express our opinions openly; if we criticize, we do it in a constructive manner.
- We strive to settle conflicts and solve problems in the spirit of cooperation and openness, keeping long-term relationships and FVB’s success in mind.
- We do not allow any form of humiliation, verbal or physical violence, harassment or intimidation.
- We undertake actions to prevent violations of personal dignity and bullying.
Labour Relations
The human being – the employee – is our most precious resource at FVB. We respect human rights – including employees’ rights – and we follow labor standards and labor relations standards as defined by international institutions, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Global Compact. Internally, regardless of where we operate, we design regulations and policies which take into account the well-being of our employees and our mutual relations as well as the application of relevant best practice standards.
- We adhere to the labor codes of the jurisdictions where we operate as well as to the standards of internal labor law.
- We follow principles regarding working time and the minimum wage.
- We respect employees’ rights to associate in labor organizations and labor unions, and to conduct group negotiations.
- We promote employee development and support them in improving their skills through diverse forms of training and opportunities to participate in new projects.
- We respect human rights and do not allow any form of illegal or forced labor, including child labor.
Workplace Safety and Health
Safety is the key value for FVB. The nature of our business is connected with specific risks to the health and safety of our employees and customers. We prevent workplace hazards and dangerous situations, strictly obeying both internal safety regulations and the safety requirements that apply where we operate. We work in a safe manner and require safety at work from both our co-workers as well as from FVB’s subcontractors and business partners.
- We abide by all generally-applicable workplace safety and health regulations and norms, as well as all of FVB’s internal safety regulations.
- We report all accidents and all violations of the regulations.
- We use protective clothing and personal protection equipment wherever it is required.
- We do not consume alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicating substances at work, nor do we not take up work after consuming them; we smoke only in designated areas.
- We keep our workplace neat.
- We take care of the work equipment entrusted to us, and use it as intended.
Diversity and Tolerance
At FVB we create a working environment free of discrimination, offering employees opportunities to use their skills and potential. We operate in diverse cultures and nationalities which we take into account when making mutual plans. We value the fact that our diversity is conducive to the success of FVB and allows us to strengthen our brand. We do not tolerate any signs of discrimination.
- We treat each other fairly and with respect.
- We treat all our employees equally, regardless of their race, nationality, religious beliefs, gender, age, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, or political views, among others.
- Decisions concerning our employees are made in an objective manner, based on knowledge of an employee’s achievements, skills and attitudes.
- We report all cases of discrimination to our superiors.