Our Work for Climate and Environment
Climate and environmental sustainability have several dimensions to us. First and foremost, our operations are a prerequisite for the transition to fossil-free energy. But we also want our own footprint on climate, environment and natural resources to be as small as possible. In best case, we can make a positive contribution – for example, by promoting biodiversity in our powerline corridors or taking initiatives for more sustainable solutions.
Emission reduction
Ellevio reports its carbon footprint according to the so-called Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), which divides emissions into direct and indirect emissions.
Our direct emissions (scope 1) consist mainly of emissions (leakage) of the gas SF6 – which in exceptional cases is used as an insulating gas in certain switchgear and switches – and to some extent of emissions from self-owned and leased vehicles.
Our policy is not to use SF6 unless it is absolutely necessary for technical or space reasons.
Indirect emissions (scope 2) come primarily from the purchase of heating, cooling and electricity for own use, as well as from electricity purchases that compensate for grid losses in the pipeline network.
Scope 2 emissions are reduced by making both office electricity and electricity purchased to compensate for grid losses fossil-free. In addition, as Ellevio renews its electricity grid, grid losses can be reduced by installing more energy-efficient components.
Other indirect emissions (scope 3) are emissions that arise in our value chain. They are thus controlled by other actors, such as suppliers and customers.
Ellevio's largest emissions in scope 3 originate from the supply chain, as the operation and expansion of electricity networks requires materials, equipment and work with machinery and transport. In Ellevio's case, the use of aluminium in cables and bevel lines for overhead lines accounts for the largest part of scope 3 emissions. These emissions are greatly affected by the size of investment projects that are underway.
To reduce indirect emissions, we are placing increasingly higher demands on suppliers. We also run development projects together with partners, such as the Sustainability Orsa project, which enabled NKT's development of a completely new low-carbon low-voltage cable for the world market.
In order to reduce direct emissions from transport, it was decided in 2021 that all new work vehicles at Ellevio should be electric cars.
In 2022, additional targets were adopted to reduce climate impact: all domestic transport, vehicles and work machines used on Ellevio's behalf must be electric by 2030.
To reduce our own impact on the climate and natural resources, we work to:
- Consideration of environmental aspects in all business and operational development and in all our investment projects
- Set environmental requirements when purchasing, reward solutions that contribute to reduced environmental impact and follow up suppliers and contractors
- Have a life cycle perspective in our activities
- Ensure the basis and facts for decisions and priorities, including calculations of our carbon footprint according to the Green House Gas Protocol (GHG)
- Use the mitigation hierarchy in the construction of new pipes
- Using the principles of the waste hierarchy to minimize waste
- Have a sustainability perspective when choosing meeting options and means of transport for travel
Biodiversity when building new powerlines
Being able to contribute to preserving and strengthening biodiversity and preserving natural environments is an important environmental issue for Ellevio's electricity network operations.
Therefore, when we plan new powerlines, we apply the mitigation hierarchy. This means that we try to avoid negative impact on biodiversity by taking into account higher conservation values when choosing where to build new powerlines or build a new station. Secondly, we introduce damage prevention measures to minimize the negative impact.
In the work on new powerlines, we identify passable routes with regard to known natural values, and planned damage prevention measures are described in the environmental impact assessment, which is an important part of the concession application for new powerlines within the regional grid.
Environmental Management System
Ellevio AB has an environmental management system that is certified according to ISO 14001:2015, which is the most widely used certification of environmental management systems in the world. Within the environmental management system, we ensure that we work proactively with all our most important environmental issues (environmental aspects), both in the areas where we can make a positive contribution and in areas where there are environmental risks.
In order to live up to the standard's requirements and recommendations, we have ongoing work that spans all activities. Environmental work is also included in the company's business plan, where major areas for improvement are identified.
Ellevio AB is a client organisation that procures a large number of goods and services, as well as contracts for investments in the electricity grid.
This means that many of the business's environmental aspects and environmental risks must be managed in the purchasing processes and in the follow-up of contracts.
When we make purchases, we require suppliers to work systematically to reduce their environmental impact, but also to ensure an acceptable level in other sustainability areas, such as respect for human rights and good working conditions for those employedelderly are catered for. The requirements are set out in a specific Code of Conduct for Suppliers and Partners.
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Each year, external and internal audits are carried out, including an evaluation of our environmental aspects to ensure that Ellevio's significant environmental impact is identified and managed within the environmental management system. In addition, the company's sustainability KPIs, including environmental targets, are measured and reported to the Board.
Ellevio AB uses the external supplier Ramboll for monitoring, evaluation and follow-up of the environmental laws and regulations that apply to our operations.
We conduct an annual review of how the company lives up to current environmental laws and requirements. In addition to this, checks and audits are carried out by contractors and suppliers to ensure compliance in the field. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that we and our suppliers have knowledge of relevant legislation and other requirements, stay informed of changes in legislation and follow up on compliance with the legislation.
All forms of accidents and incidents are reported and documented. Corrective actions must be carried out in the event of all reported environmental accidents and incidents. In addition, being ISO 14001:2015 certified motivates us to constantly improve our environmental performance.
Environmental issues are integrated into the company's regular processes and governance, including in terms of Ellevio's internal and external communication, as well as in terms of training and expertise. In addition, we publish articles on our intranet about our environmental performance, as well as provide information during the company's quarterly meetings and in digital studio broadcasts for all employees.
Sustainability is a special item at the management team's meetings on several occasions a year, and at least once a year, the management conducts a more comprehensive review of the environmental management system and the organization's environmental performance. Externally, the company publishes an integrated Annual and Sustainability Report once a year.
The management team has the overall responsibility for the development, implementation and evaluation of Ellevio AB's environmental management system. The Head of Sustainability is responsible for coordinating the environmental management system.
A dedicated Sustainability Steering Committee has been established to improve governance and efficiency. The Sustainability Committee is responsible for evaluating the company's strategy in the field of environment and occupational health and safety, monitoring performance in relation to set goals, and identifying key areas for improvement and encouraging increased awareness of the importance of environmental and occupational health and safety management.
In accordance with the requirements of the ISO14001 standard, Ellevio AB has undertaken to conduct recurring stakeholder analyses. This is coordinated with the stakeholder analyses carried out within the framework of the GRI and the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive).
The most recent interest analysis was conducted in 2020. This has been supplemented by hand and a new analysis will be carried out in 2023. Stakeholder expectations and requirements are reflected in what we report in our Annual and Sustainability Report, but also in our internal priorities and objectives in the environmental area.
The overall impression of the stakeholder analyses is that Ellevio's monopoly position entails a special responsibility that places higher demands on the company's sustainability work and external communication on the subject.
Information from Ellevio AB,
updated on 7 June 2024