From Energy to Employee Comfort: Accolade’s Model distribution center for Action
In logistics, ESG today stands for three equal priorities: costs, people, and the environment. Tenants are looking for solutions that stabilize expenses, support employees, and genuinely reduce emissions. The new distribution center for Action in Accolade Funds Park Szczecin VI is a prime example of this approach — a fully electric facility featuring rooftop photovoltaics, a rainwater recovery system, climate-adaptive retention infrastructure, and e-mobility facilities. The building envelope has been tested for airtightness and thermal efficiency, ensuring lower energy losses and higher resilience to extreme weather conditions.
“In every project, we strive for the best possible environmental and technical solutions – that’s our standard, not an exception. The collaboration on the distribution center in Dunikowo was exemplary because the tenant came in with clearly defined, ambitious requirements and strong sustainability awareness. When both sides share the same vision of quality and responsibility, it’s easier to create a facility that combines low operating costs, high comfort, and minimal environmental impact.” says Mirosław Gromek, Transformation and Innovation Manager at Accolade.
Costs: Own Energy Source and Control Over Bills
Rising energy prices and regulatory uncertainty are driving tenants to seek predictable, low-emission solutions. The distribution center is equipped with a 1 MWp rooftop photovoltaic installation, generating approximately 1 GWh of energy per year under Polish conditions — avoiding nearly 700 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. The roof structure allows the system’s capacity to be almost doubled in the future.
The building uses heat pumps, a ventilation system with heat recovery, and an intelligent DALI lighting system that automatically adjusts light intensity to working conditions and daylight levels. Destratifiers distribute warm air evenly, reducing heating energy consumption. Airtightness and thermographic tests confirmed the high efficiency of the building envelope — primary energy consumption is 78% lower than required by law. The facility meets the EU Zero-Emission Building 2030 standard, minimizing regulatory risks and ensuring long-term cost stability.
Accessibility, Comfort, and E-Mobility
Attracting and retaining qualified employees is one of the key challenges in logistics today. Building standards and workplace quality are increasingly seen as part of caring for employees’ health, comfort, and well-being — as well as a way to strengthen an employer’s reputation.
Accolade Funds Park Szczecin VI offers multiple commuting options: a train station (Szczecin Dunikowo), a bus stop, and a bicycle path directly adjacent to the site. The park features charging stations for electric cars, and the infrastructure is prepared for heavy transport electrification. High-standard office spaces, a canteen, and a green relaxation zone with native plant species contribute to employee well-being.
Environment: Decarbonization and Climate Resilience
Growing climate volatility and regulatory pressure make operational resilience and emission reduction just as important as cost efficiency. The new distribution center of Action uses fully electric heating systems powered by heat pumps, while solar energy further reduces grid dependence. The embodied carbon of building materials was calculated in line with EU guidelines, supporting better emission planning throughout the building’s life cycle.
Blue-green infrastructure — including an enlarged retention tank, lowered parapets, additional roof drains, and a rainwater reuse system — enhances resilience to extreme weather and reduces potable water use. A closed fire-water loop further limits water consumption, while a mezzanine above the dock area — a rarely discussed but highly effective solution — minimizes the building footprint and improves operational efficiency.
The project is targeting a BREEAM Outstanding certification, reinforcing Accolade’s consistent commitment to ESG principles across its portfolio.