PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna has published its non-financial statement for 2020 in an online format. It depicts PGE Group’s management approach to environmental, employee and social matters and respect for human rights. This is the first time that PGE Group has published its approach to climate risk.
The non-financial statement presents PGE Group through the prism of its investments and projects in the ESG area, from the viewpoint of its impact on environmental protection (E), concern for the society (S) and corporate governance (G). In 2020, PGE Group carried out 23 tasks related to employee matters, more than 35 initiatives in the social area and 24 research and development projects in environmental protection.
The main objective of PGE’s efforts in the ESG area is a just and sustainable energy transition. This is manifested in preparing solutions for employees in conventional energy, for regions and local communities around PGE Group’s energy complexes, and in its on-going investments.
“PGE is one of the first energy groups to announce a climate neutrality objective. We are openly and honestly communicating the development direction that we have taken, how we are implementing this and, most importantly, how this process will be spread out over time,” says Wojciech Dąbrowski, CEO of PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna.
PGE Group companies invested PLN 1.6 billion in 2020 in projects supporting the energy transition. Close to 40% of them constitute strategic development investments in renewable energy. CO2 emissions were reduced by 1 million tonnes in 2020, comparing with 2019. The conventional generation of electricity and heat also consumed 9% less water in this period.
“Matters surrounding PGE Group’s impact on the environment are an area that I am overseeing personally. We are aware of the growing importance of environmental factors (ESG) to investors which is why we are expanding the scope of our reporting in this area. We are intensively working on calculating the carbon footprint of the entire PGE Group, taking into account direct and indirect emissions. We are analysing our activities in terms of how sustainable they are, and we are selecting those investments that build PGE Group’s value while at the same time creating the highest possible value for the Polish economy, society and environment. The publication of non-financial data supports investors in making long-term investment decisions, and we very much care about these investors,” says Wojciech Dąbrowski.
PGE is taking action in each one of UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In its new strategy, PGE Group highlights four SDGs that it is particularly focusing on. These are: Goal 7. Affordable and clean energy, Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities, Goal 12. Responsible consumption and production and Goal 13. Climate action. PGE placed first in 2020, for the third year running, in the Ranking of Responsible Firms in the fuel, energy and mining category and fifth overall, validating its efforts in the field of responsible business.
PGE Group’s non-financial statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the updated Accounting Act and is available at: https://sprawozdanieniefinansowe2020.gkpge.pl/en/
Source: pge.com
Cover picture: depositphotos.com
