Fortis Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2018
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Energy Delivery
- Clean Energy
- Infrastructure Investment
- Energy Efficiency
- Workforce Diversity & Inclusion
- Workplace Safety & Health
- Community Investment
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Combined greenhouse gas intensity of energy delivered to customers in line with 2017 levels, significantly reduced from 2016 levels.
- Tucson Electric Power (TEP) plans to add 446 MW of renewable energy capacity, exceeding 28% of retail sales by 2021 (9 years ahead of 30% goal).
Social Achievements
- Safety and reliability performance surpassed comparable industry rates in Canada and the U.S. in 2018.
- $13 million donated to communities in 2018.
- Top decile performer on governance matters.
- 42% of Board of Directors are female.
Governance Achievements
- Named a 2019 Best 50 Corporate Citizen by Corporate Knights.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- TEP aims to achieve 30% renewable energy by 2030 (nearly achieved in 2021)
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: UN Sustainable Development Goals
Certifications: ISO 45001 (100% of Fortis utilities), ISO 14001 (100% of Fortis utilities)
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- 2019 Best 50 Corporate Citizen by Corporate Knights
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Cleaner energy future
- Employee well-being
- Community engagement
- Governance
- Climate change
- Biodiversity
- Water and waste management
Environmental Achievements
- TEP achieved consistent year-over-year decreases in Scope 1 GHG emissions associated with coal-fired electricity generation; 15% decrease since 2015.
- TEP announced a target to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2035 and to have more than 70% renewable generation by 2035.
- FortisBC set a target to reduce customers’ GHG emissions by 30% by 2030.
- FortisBC's goal is for 15% of its gas supply to be renewable gases by 2030.
- FortisAlberta replaced 74,000 streetlamps with more efficient LED lights, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 19,000 tonnes annually.
- More than $106 million spent on energy efficiency and conservation programs in 2019.
Social Achievements
- Finalized inclusion and diversity framework in 2019.
- 40% of Fortis Inc. Directors elected in 2020 are women.
- More than $12 million in 2019 community investment.
- Employee safety guides all actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Pledged $4.5 million to charities and community organizations responding to COVID-19 needs.
- Launched Maritime Electric’s Trees for Life project, planting 367 trees.
Governance Achievements
- 9 of 10 Fortis Board of Directors are independent in 2020.
- Established a corporate-wide compliance framework.
- Executive compensation program links safety and reliability performance to executive compensation.
- Individual performance of President and CEO and EVP, Sustainability and Chief Human Resource Officer assessed on key sustainability accountabilities in 2019.
Climate Goals & Targets
- TEP: 80% carbon emissions reduction by 2035
- TEP: More than 70% renewable generation by 2035
- FortisBC: 30% reduction in customer GHG emissions by 2030
- FortisBC: 15% renewable gas supply by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Climate change leading to more frequent and intense weather events impacting infrastructure resiliency.
- Regulatory requirements aimed at limiting GHG emissions.
- COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and employee safety.
- Supply chain disruptions
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing in asset resiliency and modernization (50% of 2019 capital spending).
- Transitioning to a cleaner energy future (16% of 2019 capital spending).
- Implementing additional safety measures to protect employees during COVID-19.
- Best practice sharing and collaboration across utilities.
- Programs to support customers facing financial challenges.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct
- Sustainability requirements
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Severe weather events
- Changing air temperatures
- Seasonal variations
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Failure to comply with regulatory requirements
Opportunities
- Investments in renewables, grid resiliency, and innovative technology
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, TCFD recommendations
Certifications: ISO 45001 (or equivalent), ISO 14001 (or equivalent)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
- Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Initiatives align with these goals through investments in renewable energy, employee well-being, community engagement, resilient infrastructure, and GHG emission reduction.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Renewable natural gas
- Electric vehicle chargers
Awards & Recognition
- Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Preserving Our Environment and Combatting Climate Change
- Linking Human Capital and Sustainability
- Engaging with Stakeholders and Communities
- Ensuring Good Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved a 20% GHG emissions reduction since 2019.
- Increased renewable electricity generation capacity by approximately 50% in 2021 compared to 2020.
- FortisBC customers reduced GHG emissions by approximately 578,000 tonnes in 2021.
- TEP retired 170 MW of coal-fired generation in June 2022.
Social Achievements
- Launched the Fortis Leadership Lab, a development program for employees early in their leadership progression.
- Held 42 Indigenous awareness training sessions with over 800 employees participating.
- FortisAlberta selected as a 2021 Top 70 Employer in Alberta.
- Newfoundland Power participated in a job fair for Ukrainian newcomers.
Governance Achievements
- 54% of Board members are women as of the 2022 Annual Meeting.
- Added 35+ new key performance indicators to sustainability reporting.
- Full alignment with applicable SASB standards.
- Sustainability performance accounts for 40% of annual corporate performance in executive compensation.
Climate Goals & Targets
- 2050 net-zero direct GHG emissions target
- Reduce direct GHG emissions 75% by 2035
- Have more than 15% of gas supply come from renewable sources by 2030.
- Reduce direct GHG emissions 50% by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Rising fuel costs impacting customer affordability.
- Rising interest rates impacting capital and operating costs.
- Supply chain pressures related to supply availability and rising costs.
- Energy security and affordability challenges.
Mitigation Strategies
- Fortis utilities are working together to mitigate the cost impacts on customers from rising inflation rates and constrained global supply chains.
- Executive responsibility for supply chain coordination was expanded.
- Fortis utilities support one another to ensure adequate supply of materials and consolidate buying power.
- Inventory plans have been adjusted to reflect market conditions and supply chain constraints.
- Fortis utilities are working more closely with suppliers to create multi-year forecasts and align plans with material availability.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Survey conducted with top ten suppliers
Responsible Procurement
- Survey of top ten suppliers on health and safety, ethical business practices, environmental performance, climate change preparedness, workforce stability and DEI priorities.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
- Flooding
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD, EEI
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Awards & Recognition
- Clean50 Top Project (Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project)
- Resilience and Reliability Award (Newfoundland Power)
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Emissions and net-zero
- Energy access and affordability
- Energy reliability and resilience
- Energy transition
- Health, safety and wellbeing
- Indigenous relations
- Community engagement and development
- Responsible supply chain
- Biodiversity and land use
- Cybersecurity
- Water and resources use
Environmental Achievements
- 29% GHG emissions reduction since 2019
- Solar electricity generation capacity increased 21% year-over-year.
- Tucson Electric Power retired another 170 MW of coal-fired generation in 2022.
- Avoided 31,100 tCO2e GHG emissions by using natural gas for transportation (FortisBC).
- Avoided 43,400 tCO2e GHG emissions by using LNG in marine bunkering (FortisBC).
- Avoided 213,500 tCO2e GHG emissions by using RNG (FortisBC).
- Helped customers avoid approximately 776,000 tCO2e (FortisBC).
Social Achievements
- Lowest recordable injury rate ever reported in 2022.
- Top quartile electricity reliability performance under normal operations in 2022.
- Signed an agreement with the Musqueam Indian Band to share the benefits associated with the Tilbury LNG expansion projects (FortisBC).
- Entered into a pilot project to produce low-carbon hydrogen (FortisBC).
Governance Achievements
- ESG materiality assessment was completed.
- Sustainability performance linked to executive compensation: ESG leadership and safety performance weightings increased to 15% each and a new DEI measure was added to our long-term incentive plan.
- Fortis amended its existing $1.3 billion credit facility to include a sustainability-linked loan (SLL) structure based on achieving targets related to Scope 1 emissions reductions and select board diversity metrics.
- FortisBC established a SLL credit facility, incorporating Scope 3 emissions into a SLL credit facility and setting a target based on Indigenous involvement in projects.
Climate Goals & Targets
- 75% GHG emissions reduction by 2035
- Net-zero GHG emissions by 2050
- 50% GHG emissions reduction by 2030
- FortisBC: reduce customers’ GHG emissions by at least 30% by 2030
- FortisBC: increase RNG supply so that at least 15% of natural gas consumption comes from renewable and low-carbon gas by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Customer affordability remains a top priority, particularly in light of commodity price pressures.
- Better assess and expand our inventory of Scope 3 emissions, focusing on material Scope 3 categories.
Mitigation Strategies
- Fortis utilities are focusing on controlling costs, looking for efficiencies and using new and innovative ways to keep operating expenses stable.
- Work is underway to build on the 2022 Fortis TCFD and Climate Assessment to provide more information on TCFD recommended disclosures.
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Third-party Assurance: EY (limited assurance for Scope 1 and 2 emissions and select Fortis Inc. board diversity metrics)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Governance
- Community Investment
- Safety
Environmental Achievements
- 33% reduction in scope 1 GHG emissions since 2019
- 2023 combined GHG intensity of electricity and natural gas delivered to customers reached its lowest level in the last five years
- TEP retired 508 MW of coal generation since 2017 and plans to close all remaining coal generation facilities by 2032
Social Achievements
- Annual voluntary employee turnover rate decreased in 2023 compared to 2022
- Fortis Leadership Lab, launched in 2021, is preparing emerging leaders for future leadership roles
- Women represent 38% of all executive positions enterprise-wide
Governance Achievements
- Adopted a new human rights statement and a vendor code of conduct in January 2024
- Fortis Inc. Board of Directors meet diversity targets (Women and men each represent at least 40% of the board’s independent directors; A minimum of two board members to represent visible minorities and/or Indigenous persons)
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net-zero GHG emissions by 2050
- Reduce scope 1 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030
- Reduce scope 1 GHG emissions by 75% by 2035
- TEP: 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2035
- FortisBC: Reduce absolute scope 1 GHG emissions by 35% by 2035 from 2019 levels
- Central Hudson: 10% fleet electrification by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Extreme cold and hot temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events
- Wildfire risk
- Coal plant retirements impacting employees and communities
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing in grid modernization, reliability and interconnections
- TEP’s five-year $5.2 billion capital plan includes more than $2 billion for energy storage, renewables, and other investments associated with its exit from coal generation by 2032
- TEP established a Coal Community Transition Committee
- FortisBC’s action plan to improve measurement and mitigation of methane emissions includes investing more than $60 million annually to inspect, repair, upgrade and replace equipment
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Vendor Code of Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
- Wildfires
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Renewable energy investments
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SASB, GRI, GHG Protocol
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Third-party Assurance: Third-party assurance for Scope 1 and 2 emissions and select Fortis Inc. board diversity metrics at a limited level
Awards & Recognition
- FortisAlberta received the EEI Emergency Response Award
- Newfoundland Power received the 2023 Leading the Way: DEI and Belonging Award