EQS-News: wienerberger expands its sustainability commitments

EQS-News: Wienerberger AG / Key word(s): ESG/Sustainability
wienerberger expands its sustainability commitments

06.11.2023 / 09:00 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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wienerberger expands its sustainability commitments

• wienerberger publishes sustainability program 2026, which builds on the
sustainability program 2023 and sets new, even more ambitious goals
• Further reduction of CO[2] emissions, increased circularity, and improved
biodiversity
• New targets include more revenue from products for net zero buildings and more
efficient management of water and waste
• Inclusion and Diversity Action Plans for every country among other social
targets

 

 

Vienna, November 6, 2023 – As a next step on the path towards achieving climate
neutrality 2050, wienerberger has upgraded its sustainability commitments in
accordance with its three-year-rhythm. The new Sustainability Program 2026 builds
on its predecessor, integrating lessons learned.

Since the targets for 2023 have been fulfilled, they have been upgraded for the
2026 program. In the next three years, CO[2 ]emissions will be reduced further,
split into three areas: direct emissions from primary energy sources and raw
materials by 25% (scope 1), indirect emissions from electricity consumption and
generation by 25% (scope 2) and emissions not produced by the company itself but
by purchased goods and services or transport by 10% (scope 3). Circularity will be
expanded again by selling more highly durable (>80%) and reusable (>90%) goods. To
continue fostering biodiversity, wienerberger aims for a 10% improvement of fauna
through implementing biodiversity plans at all production sites, training 400
biodiversity ambassadors and planting 100,000 trees until 2026.

In addition, new targets have been added such as an increase in revenue from
products supporting net zero buildings as well as more efficient waste and water
management.

Heimo Scheuch, Chairman of the Managing Board of Wienerberger AG: “The fact that
our Sustainability Program 2023 has been a success motivates us to increase our
efforts. With this next iteration, we expand existing targets and add new ones.
Sustainability has always been an integral part of wienerberger’s corporate
strategy, as we provide sustainable solutions for housing construction,
energy-efficient renovation, as well as water and energy management. On this path,
we now take the next step by further reducing emissions, expanding circularity and
fostering biodiversity while also increasing our revenue from products that
support net zero buildings and managing waste and water with even greater
efficiency. Meeting these ambitious goals, we will not only continuously improve
people’s quality of life but are also proactively part of the solution ourselves
when it comes to tackling climate change and its effects.”

Sustainability Program 2026

The 2026 update of the Sustainability Program can be clustered into three areas:
pre-existing and upgraded environmental targets, new environmental targets and
social targets.

Decarbonization and Energy Mix: Further reduction of CO[2] emissions

wienerberger’s long-term goal is to implement the European Green Deal, reaching
climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. Until 2026, wienerberger will have
achieved a 25%-reduction of emissions from primary energy sources and raw
materials as well as from electricity consumption and generation. Apart from
higher efficiency, this will be made possible through a 15% increase of renewable
energy used in wienerberger’s own production. Emissions stemming from outside the
company, including purchased services and transport, will be cut by 10% as
wienerberger focuses on low-emission suppliers.

Circularity: Increased sale of highly durable and reusable products

Aligned with the goals of the circular economic model, wienerberger aims to
minimize the extraction of raw minerals and the generation of waste. To this end,
more goods that support this approach will be sold – the share among all sold
products will be increased to over 80% for highly durable products and over 90%
for recyclable and/or reusable products. Durability is a leading circular
principle as it directly addresses the issue of resource consumption and waste
generation. wienerberger has highly durable products, lasting for over 100 years.

Biodiversity: Implementation of biodiversity plans

At all of wienerberger’s production sites, biodiversity plans will be implemented
to achieve a 10% improvement of fauna. This will be complemented by the training
of 400 biodiversity ambassadors, uniquely equipped to measure indicators for a
healthy fauna, as well as the planting of 100,000 trees.

75% of the total revenues come from building products contributing to net zero
buildings

This new target will improve energy efficiency in the construction sector, a main
sustainability lever as existing buildings are responsible for approximately 39%
of global energy and process-related CO[2] emissions. By the end of 2026,
wienerberger will earn 75% of its revenue come from building products through the
sale of products that support net zero buildings, such as integrated solutions for
roofs, outer walls including façades, heating, cooling, and solar power
generation.

Water management: 35 million m^3 of water harvested, retained and saved

As climate change necessitates better management of water as an ever-more precious
resource, wienerberger sets out to harvest, retain and save 35 million m^3 of
water until 2026 through its products. This includes reusing water for various
appliances or lowering the water consumption in agriculture. In addition,
wienerberger commits itself to reducing consumption in its own production by 15%.

Waste management: 15% reduction on production sites

As a third new environmental target, wienerberger commits to a 15% reduction of
waste at its production sites to complement the efforts towards circularity.

Diversity and Inclusion: Action plans for all countries

To lead by example and make wienerberger an even more attractive employer, action
plans for a more diverse and inclusive work environment will be developed and
implemented in all countries, including equal pay and equal opportunity policies.

Health and Safety: 20,000 visible leadership hours

As a new social goal within the Sustainability Program 2026, wienerberger
continues its focus on personal health and safety, further striving towards the
principle of zero harm. This emphasis will be supported by a stronger involvement
of management in meetings on safety issues, aiming at 20,000 visible leadership
hours.

Training and development: 18 hours of training per employee and year

Since wienerberger understands the value of employees’ professional advancement
for the company’s continued success, all employees will receive 18 hours of
training per person and year. In addition, an accumulated 30,000 hours of training
for installers will be provided as the lack of skilled persons on building sites
is a major bottleneck for the current building industry. To support young talents
especially, 500 apprentices will be trained until 2026.

Corporate Social Responsibility: 200 housing units for people in need built per
year

Deepening its long-lasting cooperation with Habitat for Humanity, wienerberger
will support the building of 200 housing units built with its products for people
in need in its local markets.

More information on the wienerberger Sustainability Program 2026 can be found
here:
[1] https://www.wienerberger.com/en/sustainability/sustainability-program-2026.html

wienerberger
wienerberger is a leading international provider of innovative, ecological
solutions for the entire building envelope, in the fields of new buildings and
renovations, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management. With more
than 19,000 employees worldwide, wienerberger’s solutions enable energy-efficient,
healthy, climate-friendly, and affordable living. wienerberger is the world’s
largest producer of bricks and the market leader in clay roof tiles in Europe as
well as concrete pavers in Eastern Europe. In pipe systems (ceramic and plastic
pipes), the company is one of the leading suppliers in Europe. By acquiring
Meridian Brick, wienerberger further strengthened its position as a leading
supplier of facade products in North America. With its more than 200 production
sites, wienerberger generated revenues of approx. € 5.0 billion and EBITDA of € 1
billion in 2022. 

For further information, please contact:
Claudia Hajdinyak, Head of Corporate Communications Wienerberger AG
t +43 664 828 31 83 | claudia.hajdinyak@wienerberger.com

 

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06.11.2023 CET/CEST This Corporate News was distributed by EQS Group AG.
www.eqs.com

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Language: English
Company: Wienerberger AG
Wienerbergerplatz 1
1100 Wien
Austria
Phone: +43 1 60 192-0
Fax: +43 1 60 192-10159
E-mail: investor@wienerberger.com
Internet: www.wienerberger.com
ISIN: AT0000831706
Listed: Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Market)
EQS News ID: 1763971

 
End of News EQS News Service

1763971  06.11.2023 CET/CEST

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