European energy provider EnBW announced a series of new sustainability targets, including halving CO2 emissions by 2030, reaching climate neutrality by 2035, and exiting from coal-fired generation by 2035.

EnBW announced the commitments as part of a new 25-point programme of measures, organised along the three sustainability-related aspects of ecology, economy and social welfare. The company stated that the program aligns the energy provider with the requirements and targets of the Paris Agreement.

EnBW CEO Frank Mastiaux, said:

“We have been consistently remodelling and realigning the company since 2013. At the same time, our actions have been guided by the sustainability requirements since the beginning. This is demonstrated by our considerable investment in renewable energies, electricity grids and electric mobility, new jobs and apprenticeship places, for example, as well as our intensive dialogue with citizens, the general public and NGOs. We will continue on this course with our strategic focus on critical infrastructure in order to play an increasingly important role and shoulder responsibility in the middle of our society. Consistent sustainability will therefore remain at the heart of our thoughts and actions beyond 2025. That is what is behind the measures that have now been taken.”

The ecological dimension makes up the bulk of the plan, and focuses on climate neutrality and the coal phase-out. The economic aspects reflect the company’s plans for further expansion of renewable energies, electricity grids, electric mobility and telecommunications as well as the establishment of new businesses. The social dimension involves encouraging managers and employees to embrace sustainability, furthering employees’ personal development and maintaining their employability. The company stated that it will root defined sustainability criteria in its decision-making structures and adopt correspondingly consistent governance policies.

Thomas Kusterer, EnBW CFO, said:

“In the future, all of our investments will be made on the basis of sustainability criteria, which will also have a positive effect on our jobs situation. The focus will remain on the continued expansion of renewable energies as well as the electricity and gas grids. This will be increasingly complemented by further aspects of sustainable infrastructure and sustainable business practices, such as the key role played by electric mobility in transforming the transport landscape and protecting the climate, or the importance of telecommunications as the backbone of a modern and digital society.”