The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting health emergency have had economic-financial consequences which we have tackled with action designed to mitigate the effects as well as numerous ESG measures for our workforce, our customers and the communities in which we operate. ESG criteria guide our investments and our choices and, especially in the context of an emergency, have played a decisive role in the definition of our actions as a concrete demonstration of the concept of Life Company.
Economic-financial impacts
Net effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on results
The mitigation measures and natural diversification of our activities, some of which were not affected by short-term emergency-related elements (for example, regulated or contractualized activities) meant that, overall, the effects of the epidemic did not impact results.
In fact, for 2020, the impact of Covid-19, net of the recovery plan, was estimated at approximately -10M€ compared to 2019. This figure was compensated by other development activities, including external growth operations, which enabled us to close the year with an EBITDA on a par with 2019.
No particularly negative effects of the pandemic were seen in 2021, which closed with a substantial increase in EBITDA on 2020 (+19%), largely attributable to organic growth.
Impacts on A2A shares
The negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the performance of A2A shares was felt most in 2020, especially in February and March. There was no impact on the dividend paid and dividend policy.
ESG initiatives
With the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, starting in March 2020 and continuing until the end of the state of emergency in March 2022, we took numerous steps to support our employees, our customers and the local communities affected by the emergency. Here is a list of the key steps taken:
For employees
- Crisis committees and emergency plans
- Upgrading of IT and security systems
- Smart Working
- Centralized administration of PPE
- Insurance policy and extension of welfare provisions
- Safety and prevention
- Thermal scanners and accommodation units at our main facilities
- In-house training courses and new virtual social spaces
- Fast tracing – Rapid screening from October
For customers
- Proactive interaction with the ARERA energy and environment authority, the Government and other stakeholders
- Maintenance of high standards of service
- Fully operative customer services (call centre and web channel)
- Enhanced digitalization in interaction with customers and the sending of bills
- Suspension of cutting-off of supply and bill payment reminders
- Non-application of interest payment on unpaid bill arrears
- Flexible payment solutions for customers in difficulty
- Safe opening procedures at local offices open to the public
For the community
- Increased street cleaning and disinfection
- Donations to help tackle the emergency in the Lombardy region amounting to over €2 million
- A2A Smart City location sensors to assist work by the emergency management agency.
- Funding of micro-projects for hospitals and the most vulnerable families
- Production of valves for emergency masks (at A2A’s Cavaglià facility
