VERBUND: International Accolade for Climate Protection

VERBUND, Austria's leading electricity company and one of the largest electricity producers from hydropower in Europe, was today distinguished as one of the top companies within the framework of the Carbon Disclosure Project 2013. VERBUND was distinguished as the best Austrian company in the field of transparent reporting of emissions data as well as for climate protection. Furthermore, in the D-A-CH-Report, VERBUND is named the best company in its field, overtaking major German energy companies.

"As one of the most environmentally friendly electricity companies in Europe, it isn't enough for us to just comply with the minimum legal requirements. We set ourselves our own benchmarks by employing the highest technological environmental standards. The excellent evaluation within the Carbon Disclosure Project 2013 positively confirms our strategy", says a pleased VERBUND CEO Wolfgang Anzengruber regarding the distinction.

Climate change and returns are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, the economic relevance of climate change is growing and is also exercising an increasingly stronger influence on a company's performance on the capital market. In the meantime, 722 international investors have created a world-leading climate database through the Carbon Disclosure Project (total fixed assets: 87 billion USD). Thanks to this, investment possibilities are becoming more transparent, chances and risks of global warming more comparable and reduction measures are becoming apparent. In this climate rating, more indicators are being applied. The results of over 4000 companies taking part worldwide will be extensively reported upon globally, regionally as well as according to key topics.

Today VERBUND was distinguished for having once more qualified to be on the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) in 2013. VERBUND achieved 94 out of a maximum of 100 points for transparency and usability of available climate data as well as climate protection performance in group B, making it by far the best Austrian company (country leader) and is 35 points ahead of the Austrian average. Despite stricter evaluation methods, the VERBUND rating has improved above-averagely in comparison to last year, especially as regards reporting as well as stakeholder-engagement. Full points were achieved in these two areas.

Furthermore, VERBUND is the only energy provider among 36 leading companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland (industry group leader). Thus the leading Austrian energy company has also surpassed renowned German energy companies.

VERBUND leads in the ATX-comparison, way in front of the average scores and companies such as the Austrian Post, Raiffeisen Bank International, Strabag or OMV (index leader).

VERBUND is committed to responsible, sustainable interaction with the environment in all its activities. The conservation of natural resources through the improvement of material and energy flows is thus at the forefront. For VERBUND the avoidance of environmental damages is more important than reducing them. The distinction through the Carbon Disclosure Project, in which VERBUND has been reported on since 2006 already, confirms this.

VERBUND, Austria’s leading electricity company and one of Europe’s largest producers of electricity from hydropower, has today been honoured as one of the top companies within the framework of the Carbon Disclosure Project 2012. VERBUND is Austria’s best company in the area of emissions data reporting transparency, as well as climate protection services. In the D-A-CH report, VERBUND has also overtaken renowned German energy companies in its sector of industry.

"As one of Europe’s most climate friendly electricity companies, we are not satisfied with fulfilling the minimum statutory requirements. We are even setting new benchmarks through the application of the highest technological environmental standards. With this in mind, we feel vindicated by this outstanding evaluation in the Carbon Disclosure Project 2012," says a delighted Wolfgang Anzengruber, VERBUND’s CEO.

Investors are demonstrably rewarded by climate friendly investments
Climate change and return on investment are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, the economic relevance of the climate change is growing and also has an increasing influence on the performance of companies on the capital market. Thus, in the form of the Carbon Disclosure Project, 655 international investors (total assets of 78 billion US$) have meanwhile created the world’s leading climate databank. As a result, investment possibilities are more transparent, the opportunities and risks of global warming more comparable and reduction measures visible. Several indexes are managed within this climate rating. The results of more than 3,700 companies participating worldwide are comprehensively reported on a global basis, in accordance with regions as well as key issues.

Triple success: Country, Industry Group and Index Leader
VERBUND has today been honoured for again qualifying for the 2012 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). With 91 out of a maximum of 100 points, in terms of the transparency and usefulness of the available climate data, as well as a Group B climate protection service (Performance), VERBUND is by far the best Austrian company (Country Leader). Despite stricter assessment methods, the VERBUND rating has had an above-average improvement in the past year, most notably in terms of reporting and stakeholder commitment. The highest possible score was even achieved in each of these areas.

In addition, VERBUND is the only energy provider among the 36 leading companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland (Industry Group Leader). The leading Austrian electricity company has therewith also overtaken renowned German energy companies.

In the ATX comparison, VERBUND leads by the greatest margin on the average scoring, ahead of the Austrian Post, Raiffeisen Bank International, Strabag or OMV, for example (Index Leader).

VERBUND is one of the most environmentally friendly electricity companies in Europe
In all of its activities, VERBUND is committed to dealing with the environment in a responsible and sustainable way. In the process, the focus is on the protection of natural resources through the optimisation of material and energy flows. VERBUND prioritises the avoidance of environmental damage, rather than damage limitation. This path has been affirmed through the award by the Carbon Disclosure Project, to which VERBUND has been reporting since 2006.