Environmental organisation

Environmental care is of great importance in all of our activities.

Vattenfall manages many different energy sources and technologies, all with different environmental characteristics and challenges. Most of our operations are strictly regulated by laws, regulations and permits – on global, EU, national, regional and local levels. In addition to complying with regulations, we consider environmental performance to be a foundation for sound business development, which improves the company’s competitive position and protects the value of current and future assets.

Responsibility

All organisational units are required to have access to relevant competence to manage environmental aspects. All units are responsible for their environmental performance, for identifying, prioritising and implementing initiatives and activities to improve environmental standards and fulfil the strategic ambition to be Number One for the Environment. In addition, each unit shall monitor and manage environmental risks.

Environmental Committee

The Group Environmental Committee is an advisory function to help set strategies and support the Group Environment function. It is also a meeting place for sharing best practice and identifying cross-border benefits from extended co-operation within Vattenfall. The Committee is chaired by the Head of Group Environment.

Centres of Excellence

As a major player on the European electricity market, Vattenfall has considerable experience and knowledge in the environmental field. We are interested in a wide range of environmental policies, and are a key dialogue partner for European and national policymakers in our core markets.

Under the Vattenfall Group Environmental Committee, four Centres of Excellence have been initiated. These centres follow and analyse policy developments, and function as a forum for information exchange. The forums are: Air quality, Chemicals Management, Soil protection, Waste and by-products, and Water protection.

Environmental risk management

Environmental risks are monitored, managed and mitigated locally in Vattenfall. The Group Environmental Risk Management approach includes six different components:

• Environmental debt – established debt, in relation to existing regulatory conditions
• Legal and regulatory risk – relating to future changes in regulatory conditions
• Environmental risk – relating to future event resulting in environmental damage
• Health and safety risk – relating to future event with an impact on health or safety
• Incidents – incidents having occurred, with a potential for environmental damage
• Accidents – accidents having occurred, resulting in environmental damage