Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change Mitigation
• Renewable Energy
• Grid Infrastructure
• Hydropower
• Sustainable Supply Chain
• Good Governance

Environmental Achievements

• 97.9% of electricity generated from renewables in 2023
• Increased renewable energy production at Jettenbach-Töging hydropower plant by 95 GWh in 2023
• Avoided greenhouse gas emissions of 61,750 tonnes of CO2 from Jettenbach-Töging project
• Avoided greenhouse gas emissions from Weinviertel line: 1.247 to 1.352 Mt/a
• Avoided greenhouse gas emissions from Reschen Pass: 0.193 to 0.195 Mt/a

Social Achievements

• Long-standing partnerships with social institutions aimed at fighting poverty (VERBUND Electricity Relief Fund and VERBUND Empowerment Fund)
• Focus on gender balance in the workforce (VERBUND Gender Balance project)
• Support for disability inclusion
• Regular employee training and apprenticeship programs
• Occupational health management program including initiatives for physical and mental well-being

Governance Achievements

• Commitment to the Austrian Code of Corporate Governance (ÖCGK)
• Rejection of bribery, corruption, and unfair business practices
• Supplier Code of Conduct requiring responsible and ethical behavior from suppliers
• Transparent process for selecting and evaluating projects financed with green finance instruments (Green Bond Committee)
• Implementation of a corporate responsibility management system according to ONR 192500 (certified by Quality Austria)

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Securing planning permissions and permits for renewable energy infrastructure projects
• Increased competition for access to renewable energy projects
• Changes to the power price outlook impacting project profitability
• Managing technical challenges associated with increased penetration of intermittent power supplies
• Equipment availability and supplies for renewable energy generation
• Uncertainty regarding the interpretation and implementation of certain legal provisions in the EU Taxonomy Regulation

Mitigation Strategies

• Optimized route corridor for Weinviertel line reducing environmental impact
• Comprehensive ecological measures implemented at Jettenbach-Töging hydropower plant
• Ongoing climate risk and vulnerability assessments
• Effective processes to ensure adherence to minimum social standards (OECD Due Diligence Guidance)
• Group-wide whistleblower system for reporting ethical concerns
• Continuous improvement of the CR management system and underlying targets

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes
• Market shifts

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: ICMA’s External Review Guidelines, Green Bond Principles and Sustainability-linked Bond Principles, EU Taxonomy Regulation, IFI Technical Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) for Project Finance, PCAF Global Standard, GHG Protocol for Corporate Accounting, ENTSO-E methodology, European Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP)

Certifications: ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ONR 192500

Third-party Assurance: EY, ISS ESG

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
• SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure)
• SDG 13 (Climate action)
• SDG 15 (Life on land)
• SDG 1 (No poverty)
• SDG 5 (Gender equality)
• SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities)
• SDG 4 (Quality education)
• SDG 3 (Good health and well-being)
• SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth)
• SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions)
• SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production)
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals)

VERBUND’s actions contribute to these SDGs through renewable energy generation, grid infrastructure investments, social initiatives, and responsible business practices.