Sustainability

Sustainability at Bird is a continuous journey of learning, evolving, innovating, and growing. We strive to incorporate up-to-date guidance into our sustainability priorities and adopt best practices that positively impact the way we work and build.

Bird’s approach to sustainability reflects our commitment to the core company values to put safety first, create opportunity, do great work together, and lead with honesty. These values guide us in all we do and ensure that Bird provides sustainable value and accretive contributions to our clients, employees, shareholders, and the communities in which we live and work.

Bird’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Program and the manner in which sustainability priorities are embedded across the organization is based on in-depth research, industry best practices, materiality to the business and stakeholders, the experience of specialized teams, and expert external guidance. We strive to optimize our positive social and environmental impact, utilizing a strong corporate governance framework that ensures accountability and stewardship across all our operations.

View our 2022 Sustainability Overview

A message from Teri McKibbon, President and CEO

A message from Paul Raboud, Chairman of the Board

A message from Wayne Gingrich (CFO) & Paul Pastirik (SVP Strategic Development)

BUILD GREEN

Bird is committed to sustainable construction, from the materials we use to the strategies we deploy to reduce carbon, increase energy efficiency, and minimize resource waste. We have partnered with our clients to deliver complex and innovative building systems that meet LEED®, Green Globes, Passive House, WELL Standard, and Zero Carbon building requirements. Working collaboratively with all stakeholders, we can realize both environmental and cost benefits.

Collaborative Contracting

Collaborative contracting is a method of construction delivery designed to connect owners, designers, constructors, and other key parties in an open and transparent environment for stronger outcomes. In a collaborative environment, sustainability is discussed early and broadly to establish owner goals, team capabilities, and cost. This can include discussions on operating cost, embedded and operational carbon, user experience, and certifications. With early goals, the team develops initiatives to accomplish these goals and uses iterative costing to ensure the budget is achieved and the greatest value for money is accomplished.

Explore our delivery models

Focusing on Net Zero

A key element of Bird’s focus on sustainable construction is supporting the transition to a net zero carbon economy. Zero carbon buildings are highly energy efficient and produce onsite (or procure) carbon-free renewable energy to counterbalance the annual carbon emissions from building materials and operations. Zero carbon building standards can be applied to a range of buildings, including high-rise towers, arenas, warehouses, multi-unit residential buildings, and schools. Retrofits also provide tremendous opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of existing facilities.

There are many technologies, processes, and materials that can contribute to the achievement of net zero buildings, both in terms of energy and carbon reductions. We are passionate about continuing to find ways to optimize the performance of buildings and minimize impacts on the environment.

Barret Centre for Technology outdoor image

Mass Timber

Mass Timber is a renewable and sustainable low carbon building solution. Through sustainable forestry, wood-based materials capture carbon and offset total CO2e emissions over the lifespan of the asset.

Bird is a North American leader in wood construction with the in-house expertise to develop Cross Laminated Timber, Nailed Laminated Timber, wood-frame, and hybrid projects from concept to substantial completion. From high-rise wood frame housing developments to large-scale institutional buildings, the Bird team brings an in-depth understanding of the benefits and limitations of different Mass Timber and engineered wood products, and delivers efficient design strategies to maximize structural efficiencies.

View our Mass Timber projects

Interior details of a mass timber building

Deep Energy Retrofits

Deep energy retrofits (DER) aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in existing buildings by performing extensive overhauls of building systems and materials. Deep energy retrofits are poised to play an integral role in the achievement of net zero goals as we pursue holistic solutions to create a more sustainable built environment. Bird leverages our wealth of multi-disciplinary experience across Canada to deliver deep energy retrofit solutions that have a real impact:

Energy analytics
Mechanical and electrical systems
Sustainable, renewable energy, and low carbon solutions
Managing incentives from utilities and government agencies
Energy modelling and guarantees
Construction Management, lump sum, progressive design-build, IPD, or project finance delivery models

Powering the Future

Renewable and low carbon energy solutions contribute to global efforts to meet climate targets, support the energy transition, and achieve sustainable change. Bird has been supporting the construction execution on some of our country’s largest infrastructure projects, from hydroelectric infrastructure, nuclear, and renewable power, to organic waste processing and waste-energy recovery projects for over half a century. Leveraging our civil, structural, and mechanical experience in developing and executing complex major projects, combined with extensive self-perform substation and high voltage services, are among the ways in which Bird is contributing to delivering cleaner energy solutions.

Explore future energy solutions

Modular and Prefabrication

Bird’s investment in modular construction, through our 50% partnership with Stack Modular, contributes to our overall environmental sustainability focus. As an off-site manufacturer, Stack Modular builds innovatively, with less footprint and smarter resource usage through pre-planning and waste reduction methods. Stack’s goal is to challenge and reimagine steel modular design, bringing the most efficient design to the market.

View modular building solutions

Modular units being craned into position

The prefabrication team offers assistance early in the design phase to develop specialized modular solutions and off-site fabrication assembly strategies that provide cost certainty, quality, schedule control, and reduced project risk. The offsite fabrication and assembly of specialty modular skid units mitigates site safety risks and improves overall usage and waste of consumables.

Learn more about Bird's fabrication services

WORK GREEN

Delivering innovative solutions for sustainable construction

Digital Construction

As sustainable construction evolves as a key focus for the industry and our clients, we continuously look for innovative solutions that can improve our capability in delivering projects that have a low-carbon footprint and use unique energy systems to reduce waste and cost. By effectively leveraging technology to deliver innovative solutions for sustainable construction, we can build smarter, more efficient facilities that meet the needs of clients and communities. Fully connecting the physical and digital world reduces unknowns and provides deeper insights, resulting in higher consistency and an enhanced quality of work.

View our digital construction solutions

Centre for Building Performance

SMART SOLUTIONS FOR SMART BUILDINGS

Bird’s bespoke cutting-edge technology is paving the way for the future of smart buildings. Our Centre for Building Performance (The Centre) facilitates seamless construction delivery that minimizes environmental impacts throughout the construction process. The Centre supports the lifecycle of a building asset by integrating all building systems data to provide visibility into a building’s performance, ensuring it performs as designed. Our platform can be used following construction to manage planned and unplanned maintenance throughout the life of the building. These insights generate analytics, reports, and trends through a single customized dashboard for asset owners.

Learn more about Bird’s Centre for Building Performance

Centre for Building Performance Dashboard

Supply Chain Management

Our supply chain practices and asset management processes are aligned to our core values. We endeavour to work with partners that share our commitment to:

Conduct business in an ethical and transparent manner
Prioritize safety at all times
Prioritize and report on sound labour practices
Stipulate that there is no forced or child labour at any point in the supply chain
Employ a diverse workforce
Seek opportunities to work with Indigenous businesses and communities
Promote, track, and report on environmental sustainability initiatives
Utilize local resources responsibly and sustainably
Minimize environmental impacts where we work
Integrate social procurement practices into buying decisions

Read our Supply Chain Code of Conduct

LIVE GREEN

Providing a safe, inclusive workplace that supports physical and mental wellbeing, promotes professional development, and encourages positive community engagement.

Our employees are the drivers of our longevity and success, and we are committed to investing in their development and wellbeing. Bird pursues a holistic approach to employee health and wellbeing, striving to create an empathetic culture that goes beyond providing physical health benefits to one that considers the mental health and psychological safety of all employees. A healthy workplace promotes safety and overall wellbeing, and the essential components of supporting our people include advancing their professional development, strengthening our neighbourhoods, and creating inclusive, respectful, and equitable working environments.

Health, Safety, and Environment

Safety is an essential component of our DNA. It affects everything we do. Bird is recognized for best-in-class Health, Safety, and Environment Management (HSE) systems and industry-leading safety performance. Our health and safety culture is rooted in our commitment to work in a spirit of collaboration with all employees, trade partners, clients, and suppliers to foster a healthy and safe work environment that every worker deserves and that ensures everyone goes home safe every day.

We uphold our high standards through an engaged workforce and vigilant processes that create a culture of complete accountability and personal responsibility. Bird encourages everyone to offer ideas and suggestions to help continuously improve the HSE Program. In our latest employee engagement survey, 90% of respondents indicated that they believed a manager will act on safety concerns, and 88% believed that the organization considers safety to be as important as production and quality in the way work is done. This is an indication of how deeply safety is embedded in our culture, and the certainty that everyone is invested in exceeding safety expectations.

10,002,845

Total internal work hours

0.02

Lost Time Incident Frequency

>8,800

Total Box Talks

Indigenous Relations

Bird strives to be a positive contributor to the overall well-being of Indigenous Peoples and groups with whom we interact across Canada. We demonstrate this commitment by building respectful relationships founded on open communication and seeking collaborative business opportunities with Indigenous partners. We invest in skills development initiatives and scholarships that support the aspirations of Indigenous Peoples pursuing careers in the construction industry. Our national Indigenous Engagement Policy aims to ensure a consistent and culturally appropriate approach that respects the diversity of the Indigenous landscape in Canada, while supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #92.

>$26M

Total spend with Indigenous
subcontractors and suppliers

+45

Indigenous-owned
businesses supported

>$132,000

Indigenous community
investment

Access the Bird Indigenous Sub-Contractor / Supplier Registration Form

View 2022 scholarship recipients

Learn more about Indigenous Relations

Totem pole at Canada's DIversity Gardens

Community Connections

Bird is committed to contributing to the communities in which we live, work, and build in a manner that is socially responsible, mindful of human rights, and respectful of local residents. Through donations, scholarships, fundraising activities, and volunteer work, Bird employees consistently demonstrate a passion for giving back. Bird supports national charities, health care foundation initiatives, food and clothing banks, community festivals and events, youth and community sports, and much more.

>$800,000

Total community investment ⁽¹⁾

(1) Includes scholarships, sponsorships, donations, and distributions from Bird-supported endowments

People and Culture

At Bird, we are building an inclusive and collaborative community driven by a strong sense of belonging, well-being, and social responsibility. We foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace where our employees grow and thrive. With innovative tools, continuous learning, and industry-leading employee experiences, our team of high-performing and highly engaged individuals is prepared to deliver the best.

Diversity At Bird

34%

European
origins

34%

North American
origins

28.5%

African, Asian, Caribbean,
or Latin, Central and South American origins

3.5%

Indigenous Canadian
origins

Full time salaried employees in 2022 who chose to disclose their ethnic origins

5,000+

Total Employees

Salaried and hourly throughout the year

Women At Bird

30%

Salaried
employees

27%

Leadership

30%

Promotions

ergs-4

Stakeholder Engagement

Bird regularly communicates with internal and external stakeholders on a range of issues, endeavoring to deliver clear and informative messages about the company and its operations. Bird’s communication policy emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and integrity, in keeping with the company’s core values and mission statement. Bird is continually seeking new ways to engage with stakeholders, utilizing a range of methods and media to reach the widest possible audience.

101,620

Total Audience

24.2%

Total Audience Growth

99,970

Engagements

300.7%

Increase in Video Views

2,638,373

Impressions

51,058

Post Link Clicks

COMMITMENT TO GOVERNANCE

Bird endeavors to be at the forefront of industry efforts to be responsible, responsive, and innovative corporate citizens. A strong culture of ethical conduct is central to good governance at Bird, and our core values inform the behaviour of our team members: with each other, with the communities and stakeholders we engage with every day, with clients, and with investors. Our collaborative culture is based on courtesy towards each other, openness to new ideas and perspectives, and an ethos of honesty and fairness. The company and its Board are committed to conducting their activities in accordance with the highest standards of business ethics. These standards are codified into policies that are intended to assist in recognizing ethical issues, to provide guidance on dealing with such ethical issues, to provide mechanisms to report unethical conduct, and to foster a culture of honesty and integrity.

92%

Independent Board
Members

66%

Board Committee
Chairs are Women

25%

Women on
the Board

8%

Indigenous representation
on the Board

(1) Board composition as of May 2022

The Bird Board of Directors strongly supports the principle of boardroom diversity and has adopted a written Board Diversity Policy. As part of a robust director recruitment process, and in accordance with the Board Diversity Policy, the Human Resources and Governance Committee and Board are committed to identifying nominees who, in addition to meeting the skills and experience sought by the Board, have a broad range of perspectives. Diverse perspectives contribute to innovation and growth opportunities, and the Board believes that diversity may be achieved through a range of factors including business experience, geography, age, gender, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, sexual orientation and other personal characteristics.

Meet the Board

Living Our Values: Ethics and Conduct at Bird

Bird requires that all employees, direct service providers, and agents of the company observe the highest levels of personal and professional ethics. Every employee agrees to abide by Bird’s Code of Ethics, which outlines the importance of honesty, fairness, and respect. All people must be treated with respect and dignity, and Bird strives to provide a healthy and open work environment free from harassment and violence. The company prohibits discrimination, abuse, and harassment and clearly outlines expected conduct in the Respectful Workplace Policy. Issues such as conflicts of interest, handling confidential information, and rules about insider information are all clearly addressed in the Insider Trading and Blackout Policy, Competition Laws and Compliance Policy, and the Disclosure Policy. Our Supplier Code of Conduct outlines business conduct and ethics expectations for our suppliers and subcontractors.

Find more information about our corporate governance framework

Risk Management

Bird recognizes that the management of risk through Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is an integral part of sound corporate governance. The company’s ERM Policy affirms our commitment to the management of risk as an important component to the delivery of the company’s strategic plan, and the effective implementation of our ESG Program. Bird’s Enterprise Risk Management process sets out the top risks to the organization, including an assessment as to the likelihood of occurrence and potential to impact the company’s top strategic priorities, as well as the key mitigations implemented to address them. Bird’s senior and executive management meet regularly to review and discuss the identified risks and mitigation strategies.

Climate change risks are outlined in our Annual Information Form (accessible here)