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Sustainability Report/Sustainability 2019/Principles and Strategy/Materiality and Ambitions

Materiality and Ambitions

Marco Nix

CFO 50Hertz

"Already in our vision is stated: We as a transmission system operator operate sustainably for the benefit of society. It is a matter of course for us that we also make our contribution to achieving the global development goals of the United Nations. Because this creates opportunities for us and for society, which we want to actively manage. We of course always keep an eye on the risks.“

Our planet and the whole of humanity are facing the serious challenge of finding answers to the problems of climate change. The global economy plays an important role in this and is called upon to follow the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations (UN): The SDGs, to which 50Hertz is also committed, represent a globally linked strategy to meet the challenges on an economic, social and ecological level.A low-carbon or even CO2-neutral economy is an essential part of this global strategy. With the increasing integration of renewable energies, 50Hertz is making a decisive contribution to the energy transition - and beyond it to decarbonisation. To this end, we are developing our transmission grid in line with demand and enabling transparent and non-discriminatory access for all market participants. We've also set ourselves specific goals and measures to make our core business even more sustainable. 50Hertz is committed to reducing its direct CO2 emissions, increasing biodiversity around 50Hertz plants and lines, and further expanding the targets set for occupational safety and diversity in the workplace. In the future, we will work more closely with our suppliers and partners on concepts for the reuse and reconditioning (circularity) of the materials we use and the eco-design of our plants.

Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the international community of states represented by the United Nations has agreed 17 goals for sustainable development.

Within the context of Agenda 2030, these global goals, which apply equally to all states, are intended to reduce inequalities, promote equal opportunities and stimulate sustainable economic growth.

All - governments and companies alike - are called upon to meet this challenge, but also to focus on opportunities and risks and tap the potential of sustainability.

The Elia Group has a strong, positive influence on SDG 7 "Affordable and Clean Energy" with its business model of increasingly integrating sustainable energies into the grids. At the same time, this also creates positive influences that lead to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). The Group contributes to a good employment situation and stable growth in the various regions of its grid areas, thus strengthening SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth". Overall, Elia Group's business activities and revenues contribute 100% positively to SDGs.

This positive influence is offset by both opportunities and risks, the alignment of which with the corporate strategy is carefully examined. These include, for example, more intensive investigation of the effects of climate change and other related risks on the Group's own business activities and those of the supply chain.

In 2020, the Elia and 50Hertz sustainability teams launched a group-wide sustainability initiative. As Elia Group we commit ourselves with this initiative to align our internal processes and decisions with our Vision. This ambition has been translated into five sustainability goals - so-called lighthouses. These make it clear which priorities we as a group will set in the coming years. This includes the aspects "Climate Change", "Environment", "Occupational Safety" and "Diversity & Inclusion" as well as "Ethical Values & Standards". In the area of action "climate change", for example, we have set ourselves the goal of reducing our CO2 footprint by 40% by 2030 and to cover 100% of the electricity consumption in our grid area from renewable energies by 2032, calculated over the year. 

"ACT NOW - for a Sustainable World" is the slogan of the sustainability initiative. On the one hand, it illustrates our willingness to create this sustainable world together and, on the other hand, the necessity and urgency to act now. The five lighthouses are derived from the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Materiality

In the course of harmonizing sustainability reporting at Elia Group level, the main economic, environmental and social topics of 50Hertz and Elia were combined in 2019 and an internal survey was conducted. The aim is to harmonize the respective materiality analyses in a comparable way. The survey largely confirmed the relevant topics originally identified by 50Hertz and included in the previous materiality matrix. A new feature is the classification into topics of the highest and greatest relevance in the presentation of results. In addition, four topics were identified which, together with the topics of high and highest relevance, provide the basis for the strategic orientation of 50Hertz sustainability management. It is planned to align the new materiality matrix with the interests of the relevant stakeholders. This group includes shareholders, the public, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), politicians, regulatory bodies, investors, media, customers, suppliers and representatives of the 50Hertz workforce.