ESG – Gunn Lennon Fabrications Limited

ESG in GLF

As a specialist supplier of design, fabrication and installation services to the Irish construction industry, GLF Facades has integrated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into how we operate and make decisions.

We report transparently on our ESG performance because accountability matters. Since beginning our ESG journey, we have established clear targets, forged meaningful partnerships, and implemented measurable initiatives across environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical governance.

GLF & Construct Innovate Partnership

Following secured funding from Construct Innovate in 2024 we were in a position to progress our research project: “Developing an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) methodology for the construction industry”.

During this project, an ESG methodology roadmap was developed for Irish SMEs within the construction sector to help them identify their own ESG priorities and assist in addressing the current environmental challenges.

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100% Post-consumer Recycled Aluminium

GLF Facades were the first curtain wall company in Ireland to deliver curtain walling fabricated from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium. This is available at no additional cost to a project.

Fully Validated Environmental Product Declaration

The recycled content is validated by the product EPD and delivers a low-carbon façade to the Client.

8X Lower Carbon Content

The aluminium billets used in the GLF façade system extrusions measure an embodied carbon of 0.92 kg CO₂e per kilogram of aluminium, which is eight times lower than the European average carbon content for aluminium extrusions

Customer Options Available

For replacement façade projects, GLF offers the following options to customers, in order to harvest as much recyclable material as possible; GLF can offer to remove and dismantle an existing aluminium framing system and have it sent for recycling through its supply chain. GLF can take delivery of the existing aluminium framing from a third party, and have it sent for recycling.

Environmental Targets

Climate change

Reduce overall carbon intensity (Scope 1 & 2 emissions) by 30% from our 2024 baseline by 2026, progressing to 60% by 2028, with a commitment to carbon neutral operations by 2030. We will achieve these reductions through investment in renewable energy, fleet electrification, energy-efficient facilities, and collaboration with suppliers to minimize embodied carbon in our materials.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) & Sustainable Commuting

Transition our entire company fleet to zero-emission vehicles (electric or hydrogen-powered) by 2028, with at least 60% converted by 2026. Support employee sustainable commuting through: on-site EV charging facilities, cycle-to-work scheme participation, and public transport incentives, aiming for a 30% reduction in employee commuting emissions by 2028.

Goods - Upstream & Downstream Transport: Supply Chain Transport Emissions

As transport and logistics represent a significant portion of our Scope 3 emissions, we are committed to:

Partnering with our primary logistics providers to transition 30% of vehicles serving GLF routes to electric or low-emission alternatives by 2028, progressing toward zero-emission logistics by 2030.
Reducing our air freight usage by 50% by 2028 through enhanced planning, consolidated shipping, and sea/land alternatives.
Incorporating supplier transport emissions into our procurement evaluation criteria.
Supporting logistics partners through route optimisation, load consolidation, and exploring collaborative charging infrastructure investments.

We acknowledge this requires industry collaboration and will report transparently on progress and challenges.

Goods Procurement

As aluminium and glass represent the majority of our embodied carbon footprint, we are committed to:

Transparency: Require emission disclosure (EPDs or equivalent) for 100% of aluminium and glass procurement, with recycled content verification from all suppliers.
Low-Carbon Sourcing: Increase procurement of EPD-certified, low-carbon materials from 30% in 2025 to 80% by 2028, prioritising recycled aluminium (minimum 80% recycled content) and low-carbon glass.
Supplier Collaboration: Partner with our top 10 suppliers (representing 85% of spend) to develop joint decarbonisation roadmaps by 2026, targeting 25% reduction in embodied carbon intensity per project by 2030.
Measurement: Track embodied carbon per project and report progress annually.

Biodiversity & Ecosystem Protection

Our partnerships drive concrete environmental action:

Pollinator Protection (All-Ireland Pollinator Plan): Created pollinator-friendly habitats at GLF Head Office, with native wildflower planting and reduced mowing regimes benefiting local bee populations.
Tree Planting: Committed to planting 500 native Irish trees annually, contributing to carbon sequestration and habitat restoration.
Biodiversity Net Gain (Business for Biodiversity Ireland): Implementing biodiversity considerations in site selection and project planning, aiming for measurable biodiversity improvements where possible.
Knowledge Sharing: Publishing our ESG progress, challenges, and learnings to support industry-wide sustainability advancement. Progress is tracked quarterly and reported annually with partner verification.

Social Targets

Employees

We prioritise our employees' wellbeing and engagement through regular feedback surveys, paid volunteer time, investing in continuous professional development through Skillnet Ireland training programmes, team-building events including summer BBQs and site walking tours, and enhanced benefits such as condensed working weeks, Employee Assistance Programme, health cash plans, smoking cessation support, and comprehensive health and safety policies.

Charity Support

We actively support charitable causes that align with our values, including ongoing partnerships with Down Syndrome Ireland (Inclusion Matters/R-turn programme) and the Children's Health Foundation (Trick or Treat campaign), complemented by our annual tradition of selecting and supporting two charities each Christmas.

Community

Our community commitment is demonstrated through partnerships with Fingal Partnership's Ability Programme to support employment inclusion, grassroots sponsorship of St Finian's GAA Swords, and collaboration with Displaced Talent for Europe (DT4E) to assist displaced professionals from war-torn countries in rebuilding their careers.

Education

Our commitment to education is demonstrated through structured internship programmes with University of Limerick and Technological University Dublin, partnerships with Interns Plus to support overseas interns, and providing practical work experience for students in our local community.

Governance Targets

Supplier Sustainability Commitment

We plan to have at least 50% of suppliers who will actively demonstrate measurable sustainability practices, with the goal of 100% of all suppliers committed to sustainability initiatives by 2030.

Human Right Commitment

We require all suppliers to demonstrate alignment with recognised human rights and/or ethical trade standards, such as The Modern Slavery Act, IHREC (Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission) & the ILO (International Labour Organisation) standards, thus ensuring that supplier practices are verified and fully consistent with GLF’s Human Rights Policy/ Anti trafficking, Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy

Equal Opportunities and Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees have equal opportunities to thrive. Our Equal Opportunities Policy ensures fair and equitable treatment in recruitment, promotion, compensation, and professional development, regardless of gender, age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We monitor workforce diversity metrics annually and provide unconscious bias training for all hiring managers to ensure our commitment translates into practice. This policy directly supports our Gender Pay Gap reporting and Pay Transparency compliance, holding leadership accountable for creating an equitable workplace.