For ÖBAG, the traceability and measurability of changes are crucial. With CO₂ tracking, the holding company is taking an important step towards decarbonization as part of its investment management. Through cross-portfolio and industry-specific CO₂ tracking, progress can be measured and areas for action identified. The further reduction of CO₂ emissions across the entire portfolio of the investment holding company is a key success factor in achieving national and European climate targets. All major ÖBAG investment companies have ambitious strategies for reducing CO₂ emissions; in particular, the listed companies regularly receive positive assessments for these by international rating agencies. Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) successfully listed the ÖBAG companies Telekom Austria, Verbund, Austrian Post, and OMV. In CDP's 2023 rating, all ÖBAG companies included have a score of A (Telekom Austria) or A- (Austrian Post, OMV, VERBUND). VERBUND improved compared to the previous year (B). OMV was recognized by CDP as a Supplier Engagement Leader for its efforts to reduce climate risk within its supply chain and is the only Austrian company included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. The global Science Based Targets Initiative The Austrian Federal Building Council (SBTi) confirmed its strategies for reducing CO₂ emissions. Telekom Austria has had an SBTi-compliant emissions reduction target since 2020, while Austrian Post submitted one in 2017 and has been working on implementing another target since 2022. The Federal Real Estate Company has initiated internal discussions on building-specific standards according to SBTi and is working with the Federal Environment Agency in line with its high scientific standards.
Between 2019 and 2023, CO₂ emissions in ÖBAG's investment portfolio fell by 34%. This is a remarkable achievement for the industrial companies, who are thus making a significant contribution to decarbonization.
Bernhard Gill
Measures are showing results
As the holistic analysis of CO₂ emissions across ÖBAG's portfolio shows, the measures taken are suitable for consistently pursuing the goal of CO₂ reduction. The analysis of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions focuses on the direct CO₂ emissions within the company (e.g., in production or the vehicle fleet) as well as the ecological footprint of energy consumption. Scope 3 emissions are even more extensive, encompassing upstream and downstream processes in the value chain and thus large parts of the supply chain and consumption-related emissions.
Significant reduction in CO2 emissions in 2023
In 2023, most portfolio companies were able to reduce their absolute CO₂ emissions and significantly improve their CO₂ intensity (Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions relative to revenue). Across the entire ÖBAG portfolio, Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased from approximately 13.700 ktCO₂e in 2022 to approximately 11.900 ktCO₂e in 2023, representing a reduction of more than 13%.
Total emissions (Scope 1-3) decreased by approximately 7% compared to the previous year. OMV, in particular, was able to significantly reduce its emissions. The massive increase in sales revenues at OMV and VERBUND in 2022 due to the high energy price level led to a significant improvement in their CO₂ intensity in the previous year and thus also in the entire ÖBAG portfolio. Conversely, the decline in sales at OMV in 2023 led to an increase in CO₂ intensity.
