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. Statistics Netherlands reports annually on the progress made on the global goals in the Netherlands.

Alliander and global goals: focus on impact

In 2020, we reviewed our contribution to the SDGs. We have added two SDGs to the four goals that we previously identified, i.e. SDG 7, 8, 11 and 12. They are SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG 13 (climate action). Both goals are logically associated with our core activities. We investigate where our influence is greatest and where we can help achieve the most social value. To this end, we have compared the SDGs with our operations and core activities, and our entire value creation process to ascertain which SDGs best match both our own initiatives, objectives and strategy, and our stakeholders’ expectations. The six goals correspond to a number of material issues identified in this annual report, such as access to sustainable energy, good working conditions, making our infrastructures sustainable, innovation, responsible supply chain management and climate action.  

Our contribution to 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. In the tables below, we also refer to other parts of the report for further explanations. 

SDG 7: Affordable and sustainable energy

 

Energy network operators play a vital role in ensuring safe, affordable and continuous availability of energy. This goal largely coincides with our mission and strategy. We see opportunities and challenges for the proper regulation of the heating and energy storage market, flex-markets, the technical and regulatory feasibility of smart connections, further system integration, and the prevention of network problems. Through our 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. For us, goal 7.1 (ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services) and goal 7.2 (increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix) are especially important. We have therefore linked indicators to these two goals to monitor progress.

Connectivity matrix

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 impact on society

Our results in 2020

- Outage duration: 23.2 minutes (2019: 21.9 minutes).
- Number of cable numbers with more than five interruptions: 17.
- We have made agreements with local councils on how we can guide them in the coming years to shape the energy transition.
- We have taken steps to identify our impact in relation to SDG 7.
- The number of connections for sustainably generated energy increased by 29% to 494,000.

Our network

Long-term contribution

- Have the capacity each year to connect all the new locally generated energy in our areas.
- Make heating transition arrangements with all municipal authorities and housing associations in our service areas by 2022.
- Aim to provide high reliability of supply.
- Invest in flexible solutions that help prevent investments in the network having to be made.

Transition to a new, sustainable heating supply

Actions and policy

- Aim to keep costs as low as possible for the customer and share costs as fairly as possible.
- Facilitate the energy transition, for instance by offering open and sustainable district heating networks
- Innovations that avoid us having to invest in the network.
- Actively improve the energy efficiency of our own operations.
- Offer insight into energy usage with smart meters and options for meter applications.
- Participate in international initiatives aimed at knowledge sharing and technology development and application.

 

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 achieving SDG 8.8: protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments. 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.

Connectivity matrix

Impact

Our impact on SDG 8 is reflected in our positive contribution to the wellbeing of employees and to employment in the Netherlands.

Our impact on society

Our results in 2020

- Number of learning places for people who meet the criteria of the Dutch Labour Participation Act: 108.
- Percentage of women in leadership positions: 29%

Being an attractive employer

Long-term contribution

- Offer long-term work to people with poor job prospects who meet the criteria of the Dutch Labour Participation Act.
- Offer work experience placements, internships and other learning experiences for a broad target group.
- Meet the requirements of the Dutch Labour Participation Quota Act by 2024.
- Have at least 33% of our leadership positions held by women by 2024.
- Have a sickness absence rate of less than 4.3%.

Being an attractive employer

Actions and policy

- Provide all our employees continuous training and development.
- Have a high level on the Safety Ladder.
- Participation in the workforce via the Step2Work programme.
- Raise employee health and fitness awareness, with Alliander Fit for example.
- Diversity and inclusion: promote the appointment of women to leadership positions and recruit people with a non-western immigration background and people with poor employment prospects.

Being an attractive employer

Having a safe work and data environment

   

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.

Connectivity matrix

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 impact on society

Our results in 2020

- Developing the plans for new offices for our activities in Amsterdam. We are working on an ambitious project to facilitate assimilation at a physically difficult location.
- Implementing dynamic feed-in for situations where the mains voltage is too high.
- Carrying out pilots with green hydrogen using electricity generated at wind and solar farms.
- Carrying out research into and building networks where reserve capacity can be used.
- Introducing a district analysis app to support municipalities in drawing up their ‘Transition Vision Statement for Heating’.

Making our operations sustainable

Long-term contribution

- Invest in local and regional energy networks that support shifts in supply and demand patterns.
- Facilitate new energy carriers and integrate innovative techniques and technologies.

Our network

Actions and policy

- In a changing energy landscape, work on a future-proof, open network with space for multiple energy providers.
- Consult with provinces, municipalities and other customers. Help them with their energy challenges and develop complex energy infrastructures, for example, by putting forward network proposals to contribute to sustainable area development.
- Support ambitious business accommodation plans by connecting transition buildings and making our own offices more sustainable.
- Invest in a hydrogen programme with partners and stakeholders and conduct pilots to study possible applications.
- Participate in Green Alliances and work with local companies, government bodies, and educational and research institutes to make business parks and other built environments more sustainable.
- Within our innovation programme, our focus lies on bringing these innovations and smart solutions to market as fast as possible and using them to work more effectively on the networks and reduce network costs.
- Work on alternative uses for our gas networks. Digitalisation helps in this.

Our network 

Making our operations sustainable

   

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.

Connectivity matrix

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 impact on society

Our results in 2020

- In order to be able to respond to the energy plans as efficiently and effectively as possible, the joint network operators have investigated which technical developments are possible. The results of those investigations have been documented in a fact sheet called ‘System efficiency for an affordable and feasible energy transition’.
- In 2020, we met with representatives of almost all our municipalities and of numerous housing associations to make agreements about the heating transition, to ensure this can be implemented without negative consequences for citizens.
- Assisting municipalities so they can bring about the heating transition and can systematically plan and implement changes in the best possible manner.
- Preparing the installation of a larger number of charge points for electric vehicles and public transport in our supply area.

Our network

Making our operations sustainable

Long-term contribution

- Provide sufficient capacity to facilitate feed-in.
- Provide underlying infrastructure and capacity for charge points for electric vehicles.

Our network

Actions and policy

- Assist all municipalities in drawing up their Regional Energy Strategies.
- Improve air quality by facilitating clean electric transport.
- Implement and apply flexible rates as an option, according to use over the connection for example.
- Make Alliander a net-zero-energy company.
- Carry out research into the use of an alternative energy source to replace natural gas. 

Our network

Making our operations sustainable

   

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 contribute to achieving SDG 12.2: by 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
We contribute to achieving SDG 12.5: by 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Connectivity matrix

Impact

Our impact on SDG 12 is reflected in us mitigating climate change and reducing resource depletion.

Our impact on society

Our results in 2020

- 44% of our procurement is based on circular principles.

Making our operations sustainable

Long-term contribution

Our goal is to have fully climate-neutral, circular operations.

Making our operations sustainable

Actions and policy

- Make use of existing assets for longer and replace assets using recycled materials where possible.
- Be a circular network operator: draw up a road map for implementing circular principles in business operations.
- Expand the resource passport and integrate this further into operations.
- Achieve transparency with regard to sustainability information.
- Cooperate with and participate in green networks and cooperate with Dutch infrastructure companies.
- Implement sustainable procurement.

Making our operations sustainable

   

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.

Connectivity matrix

Impact

Our impact on SDG 13 is reflected in bringing about and entrenching a future-proof, climate-adaptive energy network.

Our impact on society

Our results in 2020

- Carrying out a qualitative analysis of our position in the field of climate adaptation.
- Compensating our carbon footprint, including via further greening of grid losses with Guarantees of Origin.
- Moving forward in making the energy usage of our buildings more sustainable.

Making our operations sustainable

Long-term contribution

- Know and be open about climate-related developments of our assets.
- Cooperate with stakeholders and government bodies on climate-adaptation strategies and programmes.
- Assess investments against criteria for climate adaptation.

Making our operations sustainable

Actions and policy

- We have mapped out the effects of climate change on our company in more detail using the guidelines of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
- Further clarification/quantification climate-related opportunities and risks of our assets.

Making our operations sustainable

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 achieving the SDG goals, we have linked these to our own goals in the connectivity matrix. Furthermore, we are working on the long-term goals explained under the relevant SDG theme.