Alongside all other players in the industry, Energie AG is exposed to numerous risks – the early identification of these developments as well as the ascertainment and active management of the emerging opportunities and risks is the responsibility of the Group-wide risk management system. Opportunities and risks are events outside of the “ordinary” business activities that entail potential negative or positive consequences. For details on the Group-wide risk management and a description of Energie AG's opportunities and risks, please see the Group Management Report and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Due to the rising importance of sustainability issues on commercial decisions, environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects are becoming increasingly important factors in the risk management process.
The focus in the 2019/2020 fiscal year was on further developing the ESG risk management and to advance the integration of the ESG risks in the Group-wide risk management system.
Based on international standards, the most significant effects of Energie AG's activities on the issues resulting from the Austrian Sustainability and Diversity Improvement Act (NaDiVeG) were evaluated in an interactive process conducted together with the relevant business units. This provided the foundation for identifying potential risks and opportunities, which were then subjected to a qualitative assessment on the basis of Group-wide uniform evaluation criteria. Relevant mitigation measures were discussed and determined, and the net risks were ascertained.
This process also included an “outside-in” evaluation of the issues that resulted in the inclusion of previously omitted risks | opportunities in the risk inventory of Energy AG Group. These will be dealt with accordingly and are given due consideration within the strategy.
The following table shows the most important risks and opportunities that may arise from Energie AG's activities in relation to the NaDiVeG, as well as the concepts and associated mitigation measures:
Significant opportunities (+) | risks (-)1)Risks | opportunities are defined as events outside of the “ordinary” business activities that entail potential negative | positive consequences With regard to Energie AG's risks | opportunities resulting from the NaDiVeG, please see “Significant Opportunities (+) | Risks (-) and Measures” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and measures
Environment
Environment
- Climate protection
- Resource conservation
Concepts
- Consistent QSE management system
- Group’s strategic goals for climate protection and resource conservation
- Certified management systems (EMAS, ISO)
Opportunities and risks
Opportunities:
- Efficient and environmentally friendly energy supply for society and the economy
- Resource preservation empowered by modern and sustainable technologies
- Contribution to achieving climate neutrality
Risks:
- Regional ecological impacts on habitats, hydromorphology and biodiversity from the construction and operation of facilities
- Local and global environmental impacts from increased emissions (greenhouse gas emissions in particular)
Measures
- “Quality, Safety and Environmental (QSE) Management” Group Policy
- “Strategy Development Process” Group Policy
- “Company Cars and Their Private Use” Group Policy
- Steady expansion of renewable energies
- Increasing energy efficiency on the part of customers and within the Group
- Environmental impact assessments and analysis reports
- Reviewed and approved environmental statements, certifications and audits
- Use of modern and sustainable technologies
- Rights management database
- Management of official decisions
- Ensuring that all legally required staff appointments are made
- Ideas management
Social affairs
Social affairs
- Security and quality of supply
- Customer orientation and satisfaction
- Regional responsibility
- Social commitment
Concepts
- Consistent QSE management system
- Crisis management
- Group’s principles on democratic politics
- Group’s strategic goals for security and quality of supply, customer satisfaction and regional responsibility
Opportunities and risks
Opportunities:
- High reliability in supply and waste management services
- Regional value-creation with infrastructure projects and capital investments in infrastructure
- Support for social, cultural and sporting activities
- New innovative products and sales channels for customers
- Raising the awareness of children and adolescents for an environmentally conscious consumption of resources, electricity and water, as well as for the proper management and separate collection of waste
Risks:
- Potential negative effects on the society, economy and environment caused by malfunctioning critical infrastructure (power plants, grid, telecommunication, waste and water/waste water management facilities)
- Potential negative effects from outages of critical infrastructure on information security, cyber security and data protection
- Regional consequences for the local population resulting from the construction and operation of facilities
Measures
- “QSE Management” Group Policy
- “Sponsoring and Giving” Group Policy
- Overhaul and maintenance work to ensure security (of supply)
- Crisis and emergency plans
- Complaint management
- Customer forum
- Proactive inclusion of stakeholders
- Project-related communication with stakeholders
- Consideration of the interests of affected citizens beyond the scope prescribed by law
- “Guidelines for planning processes for new high-voltage routes”
- Support for social, cultural and sporting activities
- Educational programme “Energie AG at School”
- www.wir-denken-an-morgen.at
- also see measures in Compliance
Employees
Employees
- Acting as a responsible employer
- Workplace health and safety
Concepts
- Comprehensive human resource management
- Management systems for health and safety in the workplace
- Group’s strategic goals for positioning itself as a responsible and attractive employer, as well as for health and safety at work
Opportunities and risks
Opportunities:
- Safeguard and creation of jobs for skilled professionals within the region
- Economic contribution by providing education and training
- Long-term employability and quality of life thanks to a focus on employee health
- Family-friendly employer
Risks:
- Health and safety risks for company staff and temporary employees
Measures
- “Human Resource Management” Group Policy
- “Management by Objectives” Group Policy
- “Management Academy” Group Policy
- “berufundfamilie” audit for work-life balance
- “Workplace Health Promotion until 2019” seal of approval
- In-house health management project energy@work
- Apprenticeship | trainee programmes
- Safety training courses for internal and external employees
Compliance
Compliance
- Legal compliance and prevention of corruption
Concepts
- Compliance management system and officer in place
- Information management system
- Data protection management system
Opportunities and risks
Opportunities:
- Fair and transparent contract award processes
- Transparency and reliability for customers
Risks:
- Risks to fair competition caused by corruption and violations of antitrust law
- Risks to claims by customers and employees under data protection law
Measures
- “Compliance Management System” Group Policy
- “Anti-corruption” Group Policy
- “Handling of Insider Information” Group Policy
- “Information Security Management” Group policy
- “Data Protection Management System” Group Policy
- “Data Protection Compliance Policy” Group Policy
- “Internal Control System (ICS)” Group Policy
- In-person training and e-learning courses
Respect for human rights
Respect for human rights
Concepts
- Code of conduct
- Also see Employees, Social affairs, Compliance
Opportunities and risks
- potentially relevant issues are covered under Employees and Compliance
Measures
- “Compliance Management System” Group Policy
- Works council
- Training courses