Our contribution to climate protection

Success in reducing emissions

We are proud of our success to date in reducing emissions from our electricity generation activities. A lot has happened in recent years: VERBUND has already stopped using lignite (2006), crude oil (2015) and hard coal (2020) as fuels, making it one of the early movers among electricity supply companies. These measures and the large proportion of renewable generation have made a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our facilities. ETS emissions were already reduced by 92% from 2005 to 2023.

VERBUND already generates 98% of its electricity from hydropower and wind power. Due to the fact that thermal power plants are still required to support the grid and supply district heating, the remaining 2% comes from thermal power plants. The specific GHG emissions have already been minimised for this generation volume. VERBUND thus contributes both to the avoidance and reduction of emissions and to SDG 13 “Climate action”. 

When calculating GHG emissions, we work in accordance with international standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Auditors check these calculations. The results are published in the integrated annual report and with further details in the NFI download on our website.

VERBUND Climate Transition Plan – the path to net-zero 

We commit to achieving climate neutrality by 2040 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Short-term objectives until 2030

  • Emissions reduction: VERBUND commits to reduce the absolute greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 excluding category 2 by 74% from 2020 to 2030. Category 2 emissions are indirect emissions from investments in the decarbonisation of the energy system.
  • VERBUND undertakes to reduces the intensity of Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions) from electricity generation by 40% by 2030.
  • VERBUND commits to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 3 (electricity sales) by 90%, starting from the base year 2020

Long-term objectives until 2040

  • Climate neutrality: VERBUND commits to climate neutrality by 2040 by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 excluding category 2 by 90% from the base year 2020 to 2040.
  • This is primarily achieved by reducing specific greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1 (direct emissions) by 90% and by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 3 (electricity sales) by 98%, starting from the base year 2020.

Long-term objectives until 2050

  • Net-zero: VERBUND commits to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (reduction of at least 90% of greenhouse gas emissions and elimination of residual emissions) from the base year 2020, with the exception of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from investments in the decarbonisation of the energy system (expansion of renewable energy).

We highlight the risks and opportunities of climate change

Addressing the effects of climate change is a very important issue for VERBUND. We deal with the topic and its significance for VERBUND and consider, among other things, the regulatory framework conditions of relevance to us, such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the European Green Deal, or the development of environmental conditions, for example in meteorological models.

VERBUND has transparently presented the management of climate change risks and opportunities, the organisational anchoring and specific targets and measures in the annual climate questionnaire of the CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) since 2006. 

In addition to the challenges and risks, VERBUND sees the opportunities presented by the expansion of renewable energy and the decarbonisation of the energy sector. By implementing our strategy, we want to utilise these opportunities and contribute to achieving the climate targets.