The true power of geodata lies in its ability to make a positive impact. That’s why we focus on projects that offer tangible societal value.
GIM’s contribution to sustainable change
At GIM, we use geospatial data to tackle complex challenges. Whether it’s mapping urban heat islands to make cities more livable and climate-resilient, identifying optimal locations for renewable energy, or detecting leaks in water networks, our solutions contribute to more sustainable decisions.
The power of geodata
Faced with the pressing challenges of sustainability—and as awareness sharpened among management and employees alike— we realized the real power of geospatial data lies in its potential to shape a better world.
Therefore, we adopted a new guiding principle: geodata for 100% positive impact. This principle shapes our future strategy and ensures that every project we undertake amplifies positive outcomes.
Values as reference
The choice for positive impact requires a critical mindset. We consciously avoid projects that do not align with this principle.
Personal growth is a key part of this process. Empathy, openness, expertise, and progress are the core values that drive us. Together with the framework of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), these values shape how we address sustainability challenges. They encourage ongoing reflection and growth, helping us continuously evolve in how we approach our work.
Sustainability in action
The possibilities to create positive change with geodata are enormous, and we’re committed to exploring them every step of the way. Our flagship product Belmap—a digital twin of the built environment, delivering detailed insights on properties and their surroundings—illustrates how geodata can be applied across sectors like insurance, urban planning, and energy.
Here’s how we are using geospatial data to support sustainability:
- Urban heat islands: We map heat islands in cities, helping to make urban areas more livable and resilient to climate change.
- Renewable energy: We work with energy providers to find the best spots for wind turbines and to assess solar potential.
- Water management: Our solutions help water companies detect leaks faster and minimize water loss.
- Public authorities: We provide governments with tools and data to measure the impact of environmental policies.
- Smart lighting: Engineers use our AI models to design public lighting that’s energy-efficient and biodiversity-friendly.
- Sustainable finance and real estate: Banks and insurers use our insights on property characteristics—like building age and energy performance—to make their portfolios greener.
- Cross-border data sharing: We help European governments harmonize and share environmental data to safeguard biodiversity and protect the environment.
Photo: Geodata helps ENGIE simplify the analysis of wind turbine shadow flicker.
Walk the talk
While the greatest impact comes from the solutions we deliver to our customers, we are also actively working on our own societal impact. In our daily operations, we have identified four areas where we can make a difference:
- A culture of growth and responsibility: The future of our company is directly tied to the personal growth of our people. By organizing our teams as self-managing, we provide each employee with the autonomy and responsibility they need. Decentralized decision-making is central to our approach. While the journey is not always easy, we have made significant progress and continue to refine this approach. Over time, our teams have matured and grown in their capabilities.
- Mobility: Since 2019, we've been early adopters of the federal mobility budget. This approach prioritizes a budget-based system over company cars, and when cars are necessary, they are exclusively electric vehicles.
- Office operations: We’ve switched to 100% renewable energy, have a paperless office and focus on working with local suppliers to minimize our environmental footprint.
- IT operations: Our IT infrastructure is a mix of internal resources and external data centers. For the latter, we’re currently exploring the option of transitioning to a green, locally-operated data center.
To inspire and be inspired
We recognize that our journey can't be undertaken alone. Partnerships amplify our efforts, ensuring continuous learning, growth and impact.
- Leuven 2030: Collaborating to make one of our home bases climate-neutral by 2030.
- The Shift: Engaging with Belgium’s leading sustainability community to actively shape a more sustainable economy.
- Flux 50: Supporting Flanders in its goal to become a Smart Energy Region.
- 2030 CEO alliance for sustainability: Uniting with Belgian CEOs to drive societal transformation.
- Chemin 28: Connecting with business decision-makers, through transformative experiences for conscious leadership.
- Belgian cycle logistics federation : Sponsoring innovative cargo bike solutions for sustainable urban deliveries.
- We have signed the City of Leuven Climate Contract and the Flemish Government’s Green Deal Climate Resilient Environment Convenant.
The journey is the destination
We don’t claim to have all the answers. Instead, we embrace the process of learning and growing, knowing that the journey itself shapes the impact we aspire to achieve.
To guide us on this path, we are evaluating and refining our efforts, with the help of Holtara and Ecovadis. By staying true to our values and purpose, we move closer to a future where every decision informed by our geodata contributes to positive change.
Contact
Babs Dumont
Group Sustainability Officer
016/403039