Sustainability industry engagement and collaboration

Downer recognises that our scale and presence give us a solid platform to influence positive change. We work closely with customers, suppliers, contractors and industry bodies across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to deliver lasting social and economic benefits.

Our strongest impacts come through our people and supply chain, where we support local employment, provide opportunities for diverse businesses, and contribute to sustainable development in the communities we serve. By embedding responsible procurement and partnering with local organisations, we help distribute economic value more broadly and create shared outcomes.

Beyond our projects, we actively participate in industry forums and communities of knowledge, contributing insights that align with national priorities, international best practice and emerging sustainability standards. This collaborative approach strengthens our own performance and helps shape a more sustainable industry for future generations. Through partnerships, innovation and shared learning, we aim to leave an enduring legacy of positive change.

Project impacts

Downer’s operations may affect the human rights and the economic, social, cultural, and environmental wellbeing of local communities. The company aims to anticipate and prevent potential negative impacts and relies on effective stakeholder engagement to understand community needs and vulnerabilities.

For the majority of Downer’s projects and services, stakeholder assessment forms an integral part of the planning phase. The insights gained inform the creation of targeted engagement strategies that address community concerns and clearly communicate the real impacts of Downer’s operations. This proactive approach fosters trust and collaboration, enabling Downer to build enduring relationships and minimise negative impacts on people, culture, and the environment.

When required, a dedicated Stakeholder and Community Engagement specialist will be deployed to support complex, large or high-impact projects

Memberships with industry bodies and organisations

Local commitment and industry participation

In Australia and New Zealand, we participate in communities of knowledge to ensure that our climate and sustainability efforts are purposeful and aligned to national and international best practice and approaches. Examples of external stakeholders that Downer engages with are:

• The New Zealand Climate Leaders Coalitions, where we join a community of practice to help New Zealand to transition to a low emissions economy that will create a positive future legacy.
• The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSD Australia) and the Sustainable Business Council of New Zealand, the organisations with businesses and non-governmental bodies working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and acting on climate change.
• Professional communities, such as the Green Building Council and the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, that guide and promote sustainable practices in the construction and infrastructure sectors, aiming to ensure that projects deliver meaningful social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits.

For the latest climate-related information, please refer to the Downer’s Climate Statement within the Annual Report 2025

Sustainable Infrastructure and Buildings

Downer applies the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s (ISC) Infrastructure Sustainability (IS), and Green Star’s rating scheme to selected projects and assets to benchmark and improve economic, social and environmental performance.

By using the IS rating scheme, we can compare performance across projects, identify risks and opportunities early, and adopt solutions that reduce cost, waste and long-term impacts. It also provides a structured way to assess sustainability during tendering and project delivery, driving efficiency and continuous improvement. The scheme embeds sustainability thinking across the whole lifecycle of infrastructure – from planning and design through to delivery and operations – ensuring smarter, more resilient outcomes for customers and the community.We also deliver high-performing, sustainable projects that achieve Green Star ratings, demonstrating our commitment to environmental excellence and future-ready design. By integrating innovative building practices and sustainable materials, we create spaces that are energy-efficient, healthier for occupants, and kinder to the planet. Our Green Star certified projects help clients meet their ESG goals while adding long-term value to communities.