Climate Change Data

Wienerberger AG

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2014, 2017, 2021, 2023)

Reporting Period: 2014

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:1,839,553 t (2014)
Renewable Energy Share:27% of total electricity consumption (2014)
Total Energy Consumption:6,579,287 MWh (2014)
Water Consumption:3.7 million m³ (2014)
Waste Generated:151,357 tons (2014)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Employee safety and health
  • Energy efficiency
  • Climate action
  • Innovative products
  • Business ethics

Environmental Achievements

  • Specific energy consumption reduced by 4% compared to 2013 and by 11% compared to 2010.
  • Specific CO2 emissions from primary energy sources reduced by 2% compared to 2013.
  • Group-wide target of reducing water from public networks to 40% of total water consumption reached ahead of schedule.

Social Achievements

  • Employee turnover decreased from 9.1% in 2013 to 8.4% in 2014 (excluding North America).
  • Increased the percentage of potentially exposed employees covered by respirable crystalline silica monitoring to 95.6%.
  • Increased training hours per employee by 12.5% compared to the previous year.

Governance Achievements

  • No incidents of corruption reported.
  • Implemented a compliance code to prevent insider trading and a code of conduct for lobbying activities.
  • Increased the percentage of women on the Supervisory Board to 37.5%.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Zero accidents (Group-wide).
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce specific energy consumption by 20% by 2020 compared with 2010 (CBME and Pipelife).
  • Reduce specific CO2 emissions from primary energy sources by 20% by 2020 compared with 2010 (CBME and Pipelife).
  • Increase the amount of recycling material used per ton of product produced to 70 kg by 2020 (Pipelife).
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce natural gas consumption at selected production sites by 5% each by 2016 (North America).
  • Reduce scrap rate by 15% by 2015 and by 50% by 2017 (Semmelrock).

Environmental Challenges

  • Two fatal accidents occurred in 2014.
  • Slight increase in accident frequency in 2014 compared to 2013.
  • Data collection processes not yet fully implemented at Tondach Gleinstätten.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Intensified safety training measures.
  • Implemented Safety Alert and Safety Award programs (CBME).
  • Implemented STOP™ Program (Pipelife) and AIRS document (Semmelrock) for accident prevention and analysis.
  • Further intensified safety training measures.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Pipelife Supplier Code of Conduct
  • Raw Material Risk Management System (CBME)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Extreme weather events, flooding
Transition Risks
  • Regulatory changes, market shifts
Opportunities
  • Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI G4 Core

Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (some sites), Cradle to Cradle® (Steinzeug-Keramo)

Third-party Assurance: PwC Wirtschaftsprüfung GmbH

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • ARRIS.stack
  • NatuDrain pipes
  • Climate-neutral KeraBase and KeraPro pipes
  • Endurance RS4 brick
  • Clay blocks with integrated insulation

Awards & Recognition

  • Wienerberger Brick Award

Reporting Period: 2017

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:2171 kilotons
Renewable Energy Share:37%
Total Energy Consumption:7889 GWh
Water Consumption:4.2 million m³
Waste Generated:167,084 tons

ESG Focus Areas

  • Safety of employees
  • Health of employees
  • Energy efficiency
  • Climate action
  • Resource efficiency and waste management
  • Business ethics & compliance

Environmental Achievements

  • North America Division succeeded in converting all remaining active coal-fueled production sites to natural gas in 2017.
  • Specific CO2 emissions from primary energy sources in ceramic production were reduced by 2.3% from the previous year’s level.
  • Specific energy consumption dropped by 0.8% from the previous year’s level in the Wienerberger Group as a whole and by 1.7% in ceramic production.
  • Share of renewable energy sources in the consumption of electricity increased significantly to 37% in 2017.

Social Achievements

  • Accident frequency within the Wienerberger Group was reduced by 16.8% in 2017.
  • Average number of training hours per employee increased from 12.7 in 2016 to 13.6 in 2017.
  • Employee survey rolled out to 25 organizations in 17 countries.

Governance Achievements

  • No charges were brought against Wienerberger for suspected corruption in 2017.
  • Internal audits were performed in 23 companies with a special focus on corruption and compliance with anti-trust law.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Zero accidents within the Wienerberger Group.
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce specific energy consumption by 20% by 2020 compared to 2010 (for bricks and plastic pipes).
  • Reduce specific CO2 emissions from primary energy sources in production by 20% by 2020 compared to 2010 (for bricks).
  • Reduce specific indirect CO2 emissions (from electricity in production) by 20% by 2020 compared to 2010 (for plastic pipes).
  • Increase the amount of recycled material per ton of products produced to 70 kg by 2020 (for plastic pipes).
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce scrap rate in production further.

Environmental Challenges

  • Two fatal occupational accidents happened in 2017.
  • Increase in specific energy consumption in the production of ceramic and plastic pipes as well as concrete pavers due to changes in product mix and lower capacity utilization.
  • Increase in water consumption from public networks due to technological aspects and changes in the product mix.
  • Increase in total energy consumption due to higher production volumes.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Thorough analysis of the causes of accidents and consistent pursuit of the zero accident target.
  • Implementation of technological optimization measures to reduce water consumption.
  • Conversion of production processes to low-emission energy sources.
  • Implementation of projects aimed at reducing energy consumption.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Supplier codes of conduct specifying minimum standards.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI G4 Reporting Guidelines

Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, DIN EN ISO 50001:2011

Third-party Assurance: Deloitte Audit Wirtschaftsprüfungs GmbH

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 8
  • SDG 9
  • SDG 11
  • SDG 12
  • SDG 13

Reporting Period: 2021

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:2,659 kt CO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:2,484 kt CO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:176 kt CO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:56% of total electricity consumption
Total Energy Consumption:7,993 GWh/year
Waste Generated:127 kt/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Decarbonization
  • Circular Economy
  • Biodiversity
  • Diversity
  • Employee Training and Development
  • CSR Projects
  • Governance

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced CO₂ emissions by 8% in 2021
  • Reduced specific CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by more than 8% compared to 2020
  • Reduced entire indirect CO₂ emissions from purchased electricity (Scope 2) to net zero for Wienerberger Piping Solutions
  • Replaced primary plastic material with recycled plastics in packaging, resulting in savings of 1,900 tons of CO₂ emissions
  • Increased the amount of internal and external secondary raw materials used in plastic pipe production from 83 to 90 kg per ton produced (8.4% increase)

Social Achievements

  • Supported construction and renovation of 325 housing units for people in need
  • Increased average training hours per employee by 23.2% (from 10.6 to 13.1 hours)
  • Increased percentage of women in senior management to 15%
  • Increased percentage of women in white-collar positions to 33%

Governance Achievements

  • Implemented a group-wide Code of Conduct and whistleblowing service
  • Full compliance with the rules of the Austrian Corporate Governance Code
  • Linked one-third of long-term incentive targets for Managing Board members to ESG criteria

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Climate neutrality by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce CO₂ emissions by 40% by 2030 (compared to 2020)
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce CO₂ emissions by 15% by 2023 (compared to 2020)
  • 100% of new products designed to be reusable or recyclable by 2023
  • Biodiversity Program fully implemented at all sites by 2023
  • >15% female employees in senior management by 2023
  • >30% female employees in white-collar positions by 2023
  • 10% more training hours per employee by 2023 (compared to 2020)
  • 200 housing units per year built with our products for people in need by 2023

Environmental Challenges

  • Geopolitical tension, trade restrictions, and high global demand resulted in significantly increased prices for important raw materials and temporary supply bottlenecks
  • Shortage of skilled labor
  • Climate change impacts (extreme weather events, changes in precipitation patterns)
Mitigation Strategies
  • Seamless supply chain management and strong local presence to meet delivery obligations
  • Proactive pricing policy
  • Efficiency enhancement program with over 1,400 initiatives
  • Investment in innovation, automation, and prefabrication
  • Development of climate-resilient building and infrastructure solutions
  • Long-term contracts with suppliers to ensure continuity of supply
  • Hedging policy for energy

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 12% of procurement employees trained as accredited supplier auditors by 2021

Responsible Procurement
  • Wienerberger Supplier Code of Conduct
  • EcoVadis sustainability ratings
  • Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Tool
  • Screening against international sanction lists

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Changes in precipitation patterns
  • Extreme weather events
  • Rising average temperatures
  • Rising sea levels
Transition Risks
  • Political and legal risks (carbon pricing, stricter emission reporting)
  • Technology risks (substitution of products, stranded investments)
  • Market risks (changes in consumer behavior, raw material shortages)
  • Reputation risks (stigmatization of the industry)
Opportunities
  • Increased demand for energy-efficient products
  • Development of new sustainable products and services (solar panels, rainwater management systems, hydrogen and biogas pipeline systems)
  • Reduced costs through efficiency gains

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core Option

Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001

Third-party Assurance: Deloitte Audit Wirtschaftsprüfungs GmbH

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
  • Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)
  • Goal 15 (Life on Land)

Initiatives contributing to these goals through decarbonization, circular economy, biodiversity, employee development, and social projects

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Climate-neutral bricks
  • Perlite-filled clay block
  • LESS facing bricks
  • Exasun photovoltaic solutions
  • Leadax flat roof membrane
  • Electro Spider electrical installation system
  • SoluForce pipeline systems for hydrogen and biogas
  • ECOCorr drainage and sewage pipe

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:1988.0 kt CO2e/year (Scope 1 & 2)
Scope 1 Emissions:1909.4 kt CO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:78.6 kt CO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:2244.6 kt CO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:86% of total electricity consumption
Total Energy Consumption:7236.2 GWh/year
Water Consumption:0.267 m3/ton
Waste Generated:95.3 kt/year
Carbon Intensity:84.4% of 2020 level (Scope 1 & 2)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Decarbonization
  • Circular Economy
  • Biodiversity
  • Diversity
  • Training & Development
  • Social Commitment
  • Governance

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 15.6% compared to 2020
  • 99.3% of new products designed to be reusable or recyclable
  • All 195 production sites with implemented Biodiversity Action Plans

Social Achievements

  • 16% women in senior management
  • 34% women in white-collar positions
  • 89% more hours of training per employee compared to 2020
  • 312 housing units built for people in need

Governance Achievements

  • Consistent focus on business strategy, board diversity and compensation, executive compensation and succession management
  • Platinum rating from EcoVadis (top 1%)

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Climate neutrality by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 25% by 2026 (compared to 2020)
  • Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 10% by 2026 (compared to 2022)
  • Increase renewable energy use in own operations to 15% by 2026
  • Achieve 75% revenue from products supporting Net Zero Buildings by 2026
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce water consumption in own operations by 15% by 2026
  • Reduce waste at production sites by 15% by 2026

Environmental Challenges

  • Difficult economic environment with weakening demand in new build, renovation, and infrastructure
  • Harmonizing core HR management processes across diverse jobs and working environments
  • Difficult market situation leading to lower capacity utilization impacting energy efficiency
  • Hybrid or compound products posing challenges for reusability and recyclability
Mitigation Strategies
  • Adapted cost management process
  • Implemented awareness-building and training initiatives
  • Consistent decarbonization measures
  • Developed and implemented resource management policy in North America

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement
  • Wienerberger Supplier Code of Conduct
  • ESG performance incentives for suppliers
  • Screening of suppliers against international sanction lists
  • Use of EcoVadis for supplier sustainability ratings

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Heatwaves
  • Heavy precipitation
  • Riverine flooding
  • Wildfires
  • Wind gusts
  • Water scarcity
  • Seasonality changes in temperature
  • River streamflow changes
Transition Risks
  • Climate regulation on the building sector
  • EU regulations on materials and circularity
  • Climate regulation on energy production
  • Carbon pricing regulation in the EU
  • Prices for green energy
  • Supply of recycled plastics
  • Supply of low-carbon energy sources
  • Supply of low-carbon logistics providers
Opportunities
  • Increased demand for climate-resilient products
  • Increased demand for energy-efficient products
  • Opportunities for talent attraction
  • Development of innovative products and solutions

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI

Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001

Third-party Assurance: Deloitte Audit Wirtschaftsprüfungs GmbH

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
  • Goal 9 (Industry, innovation, and infrastructure)
  • Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)
  • Goal 13 (Climate action)
  • Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation)
  • Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth)
  • Goal 15 (Life on land)

Wienerberger's initiatives contribute to these goals through sustainable product development, resource efficiency, community investment, and employee well-being programs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • ClickBrick
  • Solar-panel integrated roof solutions
  • Rainline system
  • Raino® system
  • Leadax Roov
  • SoluForce pipeline systems
  • Smart water sensors and leak detectors
  • Eco-brick and brick slips
  • Eco-line concrete pavers

Awards & Recognition

  • Not disclosed