ENETIQA Group ESG Policy

1. Introduction

1.1   About the ENETIQA Group

The ENETIQA energy group is one of the leading producers and distributors of thermal energy in the Czech Republic. The Group is also engaged in high-efficiency electricity generation, recovery of energy from waste, energy consulting, water management and the provision of electronic communications services. It offers its nearly 500 employees in the regions attractive and stable employment.

Its eighteen companies provide their services to residents, industrial enterprises and municipalities in fifteen cities of the Czech Republic – mainly in Moravia, North Bohemia and the Vysočina region.

Its parent company ENETIQA Energy s.r.o. is part of Cube Infrastructure Managers, an independent European investment group focused on mid-sized infrastructure projects.

We take a responsible approach to energy production and supply. We use environmentally friendly fuels and renewable resources. Thanks to modern technology, in combination with our expertise and many years of experience, we can bring innovative solutions. We can thus provide our customers with an energy supply that is both safe and convenient.

 

1.2   What does ESG mean to us?

Environment – Commitment to the Environment

• We give consideration to the environmental impact of all our activities.

Social – Commitment regarding Social Responsibility

• In all our activities, we behave responsibly towards our employees and the people around us.

Governance – Corporate Governance

• We comply with applicable legislation, analyse risks and opportunities and apply best practices in all our activities.

We likewise expect our suppliers to take a responsible approach towards all three components of ESG.

 

1.3   Scope of Validity

This ESG policy is binding for all ENETIQA Group companies.

 

1.4   Purpose of This Policy

The purpose of this policy is to guide the company and all its employees in implementing responsible practices. Environmental and social impacts must be taken into account in all activities while ensuring good corporate governance. This is the only way to make the business sustainable in the long term, increase the value of the company and build a good brand image for ENETIQA.

 

1.5   Management Commitment

ENETIQA’s management fully embraces the importance of ESG for sustainable business and the long-term prosperity of the company. It guides the company towards an optimal balance between long-term success for the company and respect for the environment and society.

 

2. Environment

2.1 Decarbonisation

We currently use natural gas, coal, biomass, mixed municipal waste and geothermal energy to generate heat and electricity. We are increasingly using fuels with a smaller carbon footprint and carbon-neutral fuels – especially natural gas and biomass – at the expense of coal. We will phase out coal completely in 2028. We only use sustainably certified biomass in our biomass energy production.

 

2.2   Modern Cogeneration Technologies

Cogeneration, i.e., combined generation of electricity and heat, is one of the most important instruments of sustainable development policy due to its environmentally friendly approach. The ENETIQA Group generates electricity via cogeneration alone in eleven cities of the Czech Republic. Cogeneration saves primary fuel compared to separate generation of electricity and heat and thus significantly reduces emissions of pollutants, especially CO2.

 

2.3   Investment in Modernisation

Each year, ENETIQA Group’s companies invest tens of millions of Czech crowns in the reconstruction of their facilities. Some of the outstanding projects of recent years include the expansion of cogeneration and the construction of modern low-loss heat networks.

 

2.4   Continuous Emission Measurement

Measuring instruments for the continuous measurement of emissions of solids, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide not only serve to monitor the amount of pollutant emissions but are also an integral part of the economic operation of our facilities. These facilities are operated by highly qualified and regularly trained employees who ensure that none of the emission limits set by the Czech government’s implementing decree for the Czech Clean Air Act are exceeded.

 

2.5   Recycling and Waste Reduction

The ENETIQA Group’s sustainable and cost-effective waste disposal is of a high standard. The sorted waste generated is disposed of by professional companies authorised for this activity. Professional disposal, use of certified waste for construction and recycling are all guaranteed.

Through the operation of a municipal waste incinerator, we reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Moreover, we sort recyclable metal waste from municipal waste. Slag from boilers and ash from ash separators are treated as much as possible for use in the construction industry.

 

2.6   Biodiversity Conservation

We contribute to biodiversity conservation by using biomass, mostly from logging residues and, to a lesser extent, from wood waste. We do not use wood chips from trees harvested for wood chip production. When building and reconstructing heating networks, we take care to conserve protected plant species on and along the route of the networks.

 

2.7   Carbon Footprint Reduction

We have joined the Science Based Targets initiative that guarantees companies that their carbon footprint reduction targets are science-based and that the companies have contributed to limiting global warming to below 1.5°C.

Our short-term target is to reduce direct CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 42% by 2030 compared to 2022. This will be achieved mainly by moving away from coal, expanding high-efficiency combined electricity and heat generation, building modern low-loss heat networks and using geothermal energy in locations where it is feasible.

 

3. Social Responsibility

3.1   Occupational Health and Safety

One of our main objectives is to ensure workplace safety in all our workplaces, preventing accidents, injuries and damage to health. We achieve this by:

• Complying with all applicable Czech and European legislation on occupational safety.
• Inspecting and evaluating health and safety risks in workplaces.
• Putting measures in place to prevent accidents from happening again.
• Training employees on occupational safety. Training all employees on occupational health and safety in accordance with the Labour Code. Training employees who are performing specialised activities externally in accordance with the relevant legislation.
• Providing selected employees with the First Aid Training course.

 

3.2   Diversity and Inclusion

We create a diverse and inclusive work environment, and we value individuals from different backgrounds. We promote equal opportunities regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other characteristics. We believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment contributes positively to the company’s performance.

 

3.3   Employee Training and Development

We are continuously improving the competences and skills of our employees through individual, company-wide and specialised training.

 

3.4   Fair Remuneration

The management of each Group company guarantees equal pay for equal work, without any discrimination based on race, age, role, gender, sexual orientation, colour, religion, political party membership, trade union membership, country of origin or disability.

 

3.5   Low Turnover

It is our goal to keep turnover as low as possible. We do everything we can to be an attractive employer that can utilize and appreciate the potential of every single employee.

 

3.6   Relations with Local Communities

We wish to be an asset to the communities where we do business. Our individual companies support cultural and sporting events and sponsor local sports clubs.

 

3.7   Unionisation

We respect the right of our employees to form and join trade unions.

 

4. Corporate Governance

4.1   Compliance, Ethical Business Conduct and Whistleblowing

We prevent rules violations. We have an established compliance management system that addresses compliance with applicable laws and rules in the most important areas, and all employees in management, technical and economic roles are regularly retrained. 

We encourage our employees to report suspicious activities through our internal Whistleblowing system, which they can even do anonymously.

 

4.2   Personal Data Protection

In all our activities, we take care to protect personal data in accordance with the GDPR.

 

4.3   Risk Management

In our risk management, we take into account not only business and occupational safety risks, but all ESG risks, especially those arising from climate change.

 

This ENETIQA Group ESG policy will come into force on 1 January 2025.