Sustainability at VERBUND
Anchor-Navigation Sustainability
VERBUND is Austria’s leading energy company.
VERBUND is working on sustainable solutions for the future of energy.
We are consistently investing in the energy transition by
- making our hydroelectric power plants even more efficient,
- generating even more green electricity with modern wind farms and solar power plants, and
- focusing on green hydrogen and new technological solutions.
Our strategy and business model contribute to a sustainable energy future.
th best
of Europe's most sustainable corporations
Corporate Knights Rankingth rank
of most sustainable corporations worldwide
Corporate Knights RankingDecarbonization levers
This is how we are driving decarbonization forward.
Green electricity
Electricity from renewable sources for our industrial customers.
Phase-out of natural gas
Medium to long-term phase-out of natural gas production through the use of hydrogen, as well as the phase-out of natural gas sales to end customers.
Hydrogen as a technology of the future
Establishing a European hydrogen economy through local production.
Grid expansion and storage
The expansion of grid and storage capacities is of utmost importance for increasing renewable energy generation capacity..
%
is the reduction in VERBUND's greenhouse gas emissions from 2024 to 2025; based on the base year 2020, this figure is as high as 40%!
Our long-term goal for 2050 is net zero.Generating energy. Preserving nature.
This is how we protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity.
Fish passes
We ensure passability of all our hydropower plants through fish passes. This will benefit not only fish, but all organisms in and around the water habitat.
LIFE projects
As part of the LIFE projects, we are restoring the ecological functions of large watercourses and their floodplain landscapes.
Green spaces and forests
To promote plant and animal biodiversity, the green spaces surrounding power generation and grid facilities are mowed infrequently or only partially, and no pesticides are used.
Protection of birds
In construction projects, we avoid adverse impacts on biodiversity and adjust construction schedules and any necessary clearing to accommodate the breeding habits of native species.
Biodiversity
The prerequisites for a sustainable future are the preservation of intact ecosystems, consideration of planetary boundaries, and adaptation to climate change. That is why we at VERBUND contribute to the protection and promotion of biodiversity and near-natural habitats as part of our business activities.
Video: Creation of the Braunau-Simbach fish migration aid
As a leading electricity company, we take responsibility for the protection, conservation and promotion of biodiversity following a mitigation hierarchy:
We analyse the impacts of our projects in advance in order to identify and - where possible and sensible - avoid negative impacts.
Even before the project starts, we relocate protected animals and plants where necessary. During construction and operation, we minimise negative impacts on flora, fauna and habitats.
We restore or enhance degraded ecosystems by connecting, reconnecting and enhancing habitats.
Unavoidable residual negative impacts on local biodiversity are offset by comprehensive ecological compensation and offset measures or by the creation of new habitats for the same or other species.
By implementing additional measures beyond this basic mitigation hierarchy, in many places even a net gain in biodiversity can be achieved.
Biodiversity
Renaturation Projects
At VERBUND, we are committed to social responsibility by promoting equal opportunities and fair treatment. We create an environment free from discrimination that enables everyone to participate on their own terms—both within our company and throughout society.
Internal measures:
- Diversity & Accessibility Management
- Clear guidelines and standards of conduct
- Extensive awareness-raising on diversity issues
- Group-wide Equal Treatment Office
- Anonymous reporting channel
External measures:
- VERBUND Electricity Assistance Fund of Caritas
- VERBUND Empowerment Fund of Diakonie
Certifications
Audit berufundfamilie
For VERBUND, work-life balance is a fundamental prerequisite for healthy working conditions, both physically and mentally. That is why we have been participating in the “berufundfamilie” audit on an ongoing basis since 2009 to ensure that our employees have the necessary conditions in place.
TÜV Austria Diversity Management
The recertification of our diversity management system in accordance with OENORM S 2501 serves to further develop our comprehensive diversity strategy and also recognizes the success of the measures we have implemented.
Social Responsibility
Diversity - Working at VERBUND
Integrated Annual Report 2025
PDF / 5.3 MB
Further information from the integrated annual report
Generation figures
Sustainability
Key Figures
Key financial figures from the integretad financial report 2025
At VERBUND, social responsibility is an essential element of sustainable corporate management.
We take our responsibility towards our employees, customers, business partners, investors, and society very seriously and are guided by established principles.