Our Work for Climate and Environment
Climate and environmental sustainability have several dimensions to us. First and foremost, our operations are a prerequisite for the transition to fossil-free energy. But we also want our own footprint on climate, environment and natural resources to be as small as possible. In best case, we can make a positive contribution – for example, by promoting biodiversity in our powerline corridors or taking initiatives for more sustainable solutions.
Emission reduction
Ellevio reports its carbon footprint according to the so-called Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), which divides emissions into direct and indirect emissions.
Our direct emissions (scope 1) consist mainly of emissions (leakage) of the gas SF6 – which in exceptional cases is used as an insulating gas in certain switchgear and switches – and to some extent of emissions from self-owned and leased vehicles.
Our policy is not to use SF6 unless it is absolutely necessary for technical or space reasons.
Indirect emissions (scope 2) come primarily from the purchase of heating, cooling and electricity for own use, as well as from electricity purchases that compensate for grid losses in the pipeline network.
Scope 2 emissions are reduced by making both office electricity and electricity purchased to compensate for grid losses fossil-free. In addition, as Ellevio renews its electricity grid, grid losses can be reduced by installing more energy-efficient components.
Other indirect emissions (scope 3) are emissions that arise in our value chain. They are thus controlled by other actors, such as suppliers and customers.
Ellevio's largest emissions in scope 3 originate from the supply chain, as the operation and expansion of electricity networks requires materials, equipment and work with machinery and transport. In Ellevio's case, the use of aluminium in cables and bevel lines for overhead lines accounts for the largest part of scope 3 emissions. These emissions are greatly affected by the size of investment projects that are underway.
To reduce indirect emissions, we are placing increasingly higher demands on suppliers. We also run development projects together with partners, such as the Sustainability Orsa project, which enabled NKT's development of a completely new low-carbon low-voltage cable for the world market.
In order to reduce direct emissions from transport, it was decided in 2021 that all new work vehicles at Ellevio should be electric cars.
In 2022, additional targets were adopted to reduce climate impact: all domestic transport, vehicles and work machines used on Ellevio's behalf must be electric by 2030.
Biodiversity when building new powerlines
Being able to contribute to preserving and strengthening biodiversity and preserving natural environments is an important environmental issue for Ellevio's electricity network operations.
Therefore, when we plan new powerlines, we apply the mitigation hierarchy. This means that we try to avoid negative impact on biodiversity by taking into account higher conservation values when choosing where to build new powerlines or build a new station. Secondly, we introduce damage prevention measures to minimize the negative impact.
In the work on new powerlines, we identify passable routes with regard to known natural values, and planned damage prevention measures are described in the environmental impact assessment, which is an important part of the concession application for new powerlines within the regional grid.
Environmental Management System
Ellevio AB has an environmental management system that is certified according to ISO 14001:2015, which is the most widely used certification of environmental management systems in the world. Within the environmental management system, we ensure that we work proactively with all our most important environmental issues (environmental aspects), both in the areas where we can make a positive contribution and in areas where there are environmental risks.
In order to live up to the standard's requirements and recommendations, we have ongoing work that spans all activities. Environmental work is also included in the company's business plan, where major areas for improvement are identified.
Information from Ellevio AB,
updated on 7 June 2024