Sustainability at EWE: Shaping a Responsible Future

Our Understanding of Sustainability

To us, sustainability means thinking in decades when it comes to key issues—and acting in the interest of future generations. Our business decisions are guided by the aim to create real value for people, protect the planet and its resources, and generate societal benefit for all our stakeholders.

We are convinced that sustainable success can only be achieved if we contribute positively from an economic, environmental, and social standpoint (Environmental, Social, Governance – ESG). We consider it self-evident to take on this responsibility. For us, sustainability is not a mere obligation - it is an integral part of our strategic direction, both internally and externally, and deeply rooted in our corporate culture. We aim to set strong examples and enhance sustainability awareness not only within EWE but also across the energy sector and society at large.

Our sustainable orientation is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, we are committed to the principles of the UN Global Compact and align ourselves with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the German National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, and the core labor standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). We also support the Paris Climate Agreement, and our CO₂ reduction targets have been validated by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Our Sustainability Organization

Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) holds overall responsibility for sustainability. Key decisions are discussed and approved by the full Executive Board as needed. The interface between the CEO and the Group is the Sustainability Management team, which is part of the central "Group Development" function. This team is responsible for the sustainability strategy and the advancement of sustainability topics. A key tool in identifying strategically relevant sustainability topics is the double materiality analysis. Within the identified topics—spanning the dimensions of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)—the Group Development department serves as an initiator, organizing, leading, and supporting internal projects and initiatives.

Sustainability Management also works continuously with other central Group functions—such as external reporting, risk management, controlling, and stakeholder management—to address their activities from a sustainability perspective.

Responsibility for the specific action areas—climate and environmental protection, fair working conditions, supply chain responsibility, security of supply, and responsible corporate governance—lies with dedicated expert teams. These teams conduct topic-specific meetings, coordinated by the Sustainability Management team, to ensure that strategies, goals, and measures are developed jointly with subject-matter experts, allowing EWE to meet its sustainability responsibilities.

Our ESG Risk Management

We define sustainability or ESG risks as risks in the areas of environment, social, and governance. We consider not only the negative impacts of external ESG factors on our business activities (outside-in), but also the potential negative impacts of our business activities on ESG areas (inside-out). The identification, assessment, and management of ESG risks have been integrated into our regular risk management process. A systematic comparison with the results of the materiality analysis ensures completeness. Material ESG risks are reported to the Executive Board and Supervisory Board as part of our risk reporting.

The environmental area includes risks associated with climate change. We are aware that climatic influences will change and extreme weather events will become more frequent. Physical climate risks—such as flooding, water scarcity, or rising sea levels—are thus becoming increasingly relevant. The same applies to transitional climate risks, arising from evolving political, legal, technological, and market conditions as society transitions to a low-carbon future. Physical climate risks are regularly identified and assessed through climate risk analysis. This scenario analysis is based on scientifically recognized RCP climate scenarios. The social area includes risks related to our employees, customers, and supply chain. Relevant topics here include occupational safety, data protection, security of supply, and the protection of human rights. The governance area includes compliance-related risks, such as anti-corruption and adherence to antitrust laws.

Our Key Non-Financial Topics

The sustainability team regularly identifies the most relevant non-financial topics for EWE and its stakeholders and derives corresponding actions. EWE is currently active in the following areas:

Climate and environmental protection are equally important for both society and the economy. As an energy service provider, EWE bears special responsibility and, together with other utilities, faces the major challenge of enabling the energy transition with a reliable energy supply system—while fulfilling its service mandate. That’s why we set ambitious climate targets back in 2020, aiming for 2035. Climate and environmental protection and responsible resource use are already part of our everyday operations.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy are the key to achieving climate neutrality. To effectively support the energy transition and reduce the energy sector’s carbon footprint, we are consistently expanding the share of our electricity generation from renewable sources. EWE also seeks to continuously reduce internal energy consumption, prevent environmental pollution, and promote biodiversity. This way, EWE combines economic success with environmental and climate responsibility.

We have bundled our renewable energy activities in Alterric GmbH, a joint venture between EWE and the Aloys Wobben Foundation. Alterric is driving the expansion of climate-friendly energy generation.

EWE’s sustainable business success is built on the passion, dedication, skills, and health of our employees. That’s why we place great importance on fair and attractive working conditions, a modern HR strategy, and diverse opportunities for further education and training.

EWE also sets high standards to promote the health of its employees and provide a work environment that supports well-being. We expect our business partners to uphold the same standards.

We are committed to respectful and fair cooperation. This principle is anchored in our Code of Conduct, which applies to all our subsidiaries and employees.

More about EWE as an employer

EWE views its infrastructure as the backbone of its future business. This includes not only the secure supply of electricity and gas but also the expansion of broadband networks, which enables digital participation for people in the region.

The energy transition and the necessary expansion of renewable energy sources present EWE with the challenge of integrating decentralized and volatile generation into the grid. Sector coupling and increasing broadband demand further complicate the infrastructure’s demands.

EWE is continuously working to modernize and improve infrastructure efficiency in order to create a secure, reliable, climate-friendly, and intelligent energy system. Climate-conscious and innovative products and services empower customers to use renewable energy efficiently and even produce it themselves.

For us, corporate action is synonymous with integrity and lawful, honest business practices. We recognize that integrity is essential to our business success and helps prevent legal and economic risks. Compliance is therefore a fundamental principle throughout the EWE Group—it underpins the trust and satisfaction of our customers and partners.

In light of increasing digitalization, data protection, information security, and cybersecurity are becoming more important. EWE places great emphasis on handling personal data responsibly, protecting it from misuse, and securing company data against unauthorized access. This is essential for developing data-driven business models and operating a secure, high-performing energy system.

Another important aspect of our corporate responsibility is the protection of human rights. We comply with applicable laws and respect internationally recognized human rights standards. In our business activities, we strive to prevent potential human rights violations.

EWE also takes on regional responsibility in many ways - through the EWE Foundation, our sponsorships, and the EWE school mobile.