Contribution to Global Goals (SDGs)
Alliander’s activities contribute to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the member states of the United Nations in 2015. These seventeen Sustainable Development Goals aim to put an end to poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change by 2030. The Netherlands has also committed to achieving these goals. Government, politicians and companies are currently working out their contribution in more concrete detail.
Our contribution to the SDGs: impact-driven strategy
The result of the SDG analysis is documented in our connectivity matrix. This matrix shows the relationships between our process of value creation, the material issues, performance and the SDGs.
Energy transition and affordability: a vital combination
We advocate an energy supply system where everyone has access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy on equal terms. As such, our mission deals with the essence of SDG 7: ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. We measure and assess progress made on this multi-faceted goal using various indicators as shown in the table below. In 2021, we started developing an index in which our performance would be measured in terms of a combination of affordability and sustainability. Our starting point for measuring sustainable energy was the goal used in the Dutch Climate Agreement of reducing CO2 emissions by 55% in 2030 compared to 1990. We translate this goal into a target for CO2 reduction in relation to the connections in Liander’s network.
We look at the network costs to assess affordability. A significant portion of the price of energy and the cost of the energy transition will be paid for by consumers, and therefore our customers. The investments needed to make our networks robust and suitable for the drastically changing energy systems should remain in step with social costs and inflationary developments, while at the same time being sufficient to meet the changing requirements in good time. We have analysed this task and the extent to which we are able to fulfil it in relation to SDG 7. To measure affordability, we looked at the investment cost of extending the electricity grid, set against the average, standardised household income in the area Liander supplies. The idea behind this is that investment costs must remain in step with economic growth to guarantee an affordable energy supply. We want to clarify the effectiveness of our investments and promote new, smart forms of connections and transmission so that we can all use more sustainable energy, while keeping the cost of its transmission affordable. We note that investments in our networks are increasing faster than the growth in household incomes. This could have a negative effect on the affordability of energy transmission. On the other hand, we see that investments are increasing more slowly than the amount of CO2 saved. On balance, increasing quantities of CO2 are being saved for each euro invested in the energy network.
Our contribution to the SDGs
SDG 7: Affordable and sustainable energy | ||
As an energy network operator, we play a vital role in guaranteeing a safe, affordable and constant availability of (sustainable) energy. SDG7 largely coincides with our mission and strategy. We see opportunities and challenges for the proper regulation of the heating market and energy storage, flex-markets, the technical and regulatory feasibility of smart connections, system integration, and the prevention of network problems. Together with our supply chain partners, we want to continue making a contribution to a sustainable energy supply system at low costs. | ||
Sub-goals | We contribute to achieving the following SDGs: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5. Goal 7.1, which targets universal access to affordable, reliable energy, and goal 7.2, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy, are priorities for us. We have therefore linked indicators to these two goals to monitor progress. | |
Impact | Our impact on SDG 7 is reflected by the investments we make to increase the share of renewable energy transmitted through our networks, while at the same time acting to keep the social cost of energy as low as possible in the future. | |
Our results in 2021 | Outage duration: 20.9 minutes (2020: 23.2 minutes). | |
Long-term contribution | Have the capacity each year to connect all the new locally generated energy in our areas. | |
Actions and policy | Aim to keep costs as low as possible for the customer and share costs as fairly as possible. | |
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | ||
We work non-stop on ensuring a safe and fair working environment for all our employees as well as an inclusive corporate culture. | ||
Sub-goals | We contribute to SDG 8.8, protecting employment rights and promoting a safe working environment. In our procurement and tendering policy, we focus on good working conditions and compliance with international conventions. Contractors who work for us must meet the same safety standards as those we adhere to in-house. SDG 8.5: achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | |
Impact | Our impact on SDG 8 is reflected in our positive contribution to the well-being of employees and to employment in the Netherlands. | |
Our results in 2021 | Number of apprenticeships for people covered by the Labour Participation Act: 77 (62 FTEs) (concerns the target group register). Percentage of women in managerial positions: 28%. | |
Long-term contribution | Offer long-term work to people with poor job prospects who meet the criteria of the Dutch Labour Participation Act. | |
Actions and policy | Continuous training and development of all our employees. | |
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure | ||
The Netherlands has one of the most reliable and efficient energy infrastructures in the world. Every day, we focus on making our networks suitable for the requirements of the energy transition. We facilitate customer choices, make maximum use of digital opportunities, actively create open networks and do our work efficiently. The speed of the energy transition creates new challenges that require us to continuously innovate and invest in our network. We support our customers in the built environment in switching to a sustainable energy system. | ||
Sub-goals | We contribute to achieving SDG 9.1: develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. | |
Impact | Our impact on SDG 9 is reflected in our organisation building a future-proof energy infrastructure and applying innovative techniques and technologies, including hydrogen projects. | |
Our results in 2021 | Developing the plans for new offices for our activities in Amsterdam. We are working on an ambitious project for blending in at a physically difficult location. | |
Long-term contribution | Invest in local and regional energy networks that support shifts in supply and demand patterns. | |
Actions and policy | In a changing energy landscape, work on a future-proof, open network with space for multiple energy providers. | |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | ||
In the Netherlands, municipalities play an important role in the transition to a sustainable energy supply. The agreements in the Regional Energy Strategies (RES) and the development of the Dutch Climate Agreement in combination with social initiatives lead to concrete strategies and district plans. Our task is to assist municipalities in this process and to programme and implement changes as well as possible. By enabling energy feed-in and connecting a growing number of charge points for electric mobility, we are also contributing to the sustainability of our cities, towns and communities. | ||
Sub-goals | We support SDG 11.6, i.e. reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. These activities have a direct correlation with our supply chain emissions, natural capital and well-being in districts and neighbourhoods. | |
Impact | Our impact on SDG 11 is reflected in us strengthening our economic added value, reducing climate change and resource utilisation, and contributing to collaboration in districts and neighbourhoods. | |
Our results in 2021 | To respond as efficiently and effectively as possible to the energy plans, all network operators have examined the feasibility of the various technical options. The results of those investigations have been documented in a fact sheet called ‘System efficiency for an affordable and feasible energy transition’. | |
Long-term contribution | Provide sufficient capacity to facilitate feed-in. | |
Actions and policy | Assist all municipalities in our area in drawing up their regional energy strategies. | |
SDG 12: Responsible production and consumption | ||
We are acutely aware of the impact of our operations on the planet, and strive to make our business operations climate-neutral and circular. | ||
Sub-goals | We are contributing to SDG 12.2, and will implement sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030. | |
Impact | Our impact on SDG 12 is reflected in us mitigating climate change and reducing resource depletion. | |
Our results in 2021 | 27% of our expenditure is on circular procurement. | |
Long-term contribution | Our goal is to have fully climate-neutral, circular operations. | |
Actions and policy | Use current assets for a longer period of time and replace assets with recycled materials | |
SDG 13: Climate action | ||
Climate change leads to our assets being subject to changing physical conditions, such as drought and flooding. Responding to and making changes to mitigate the consequences of climate change, adaptation, is receiving increasing social attention. | ||
Sub-goals | We contribute to achieving SDG 13.1: strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | |
Impact | Our impact on SDG 13 is reflected in bringing about and entrenching a future-proof, climate-adaptive energy network. | |
Our results in 2021 | Qualitative analysis of our position in the field of climate adaptation. | |
Long-term contribution | Being aware of and transparent about climate-related developments relating to our assets | |
Actions and policy | We have mapped out the effects of climate change on our company in more detail and incorporated this in our risk approach using the guidelines of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Further quantification of climate-related opportunities and risks for our assets. | |
Ambitions for the coming years
Serving society is at the heart of our mission and strategy. The energy transition forms a key part of this: we are working on the ‘sustainable tomorrow’. Our operations are in line with this sustainable course, and the global SDGs form a navigational tool. The further operational integration and implementation of SDGs is fundamental to our mission, as is rigorous monitoring, measurement and reporting to ensure adequate compliance. To keep our focus on contributing to the UN sustainable development goals, we have linked them to our own goals in the connectivity matrix. Furthermore, we are working on the long-term goals explained under the relevant SDG theme.