Milan, July 22, 2024 - A2A has published its new Sustainable Finance Framework, the set of guidelines that strengthen the integration between the financial strategy and the sustainability strategy of the Group. The update aligns the previous version of 2022 with the new objectives envisaged in the Strategic Plan 2024 - 2035.
The Framework, within the two strategic pillars of the Plan, Energy Transition and Circular Economy, foresees the expansion of the types of Green Projects - such as, for instance, the installation of electric heat pumps and the infrastructure for the treatment of hazardous waste - and the modification of some of the existing ones for the purpose of aligning them with the criteria of the EU Taxonomy. Among the main changes of the Sustainability-linked component, an indicator related to the Installed Capacity of the Electricity Grid has been introduced, consistently with the Group's strategy focused on decarbonization and electrification of consumption.
The update maintains an integrated Framework that combines the two approaches: Green/Use-of-Proceeds, for transparency on the use of proceeds for specific projects, and Sustainability-Linked, creating the link with the achievement of sustainability targets.
With this new document, the Group, led by the CEO Renato Mazzoncini, confirms itself as one of the leading Italian companies in the Sustainable Finance landscape. In line with its strategy, A2A commits itself to further increase the ESG debt target, with the aim of exceeding 90% by 2030 and reaching 100% by 2035.
The Sustainable Finance Framework, which covers any type of financial instrument, has been prepared in accordance with the guidelines and reference regulations, including the most recent versions of the Green Bond Principles and the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles administered by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), as well as the Green Loan Principles and the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles administered by the Loan Market Association (LMA).
Furthermore, A2A commits itself to provide in each allocation report the share of net proceeds that have been allocated to projects fully aligned with the EU Taxonomy Regulation (including the technical screening criteria for substantial contribution, the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) criteria and the Minimum Social Safeguards (MSS)).
The rating agency Standard & Poor's has issued a Second Party Opinion (SPO) confirming the solidity of the Sustainable Finance Framework, attesting its alignment with the ICMA and LMA principles. For the Use-of-Proceeds section, the agency has also assigned a "Medium Green" shading on a scale from "Red" to "Dark Green".
The structuring of the document has been supported by BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole Corporate Investment Bank.
The new Sustainable Finance Framework and the Second Party Opinion are available online: Sustainable financing | A2A (groupa2a.it)
Contacts:
Giuseppe Mariano
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Silvia Merlo - Silvia Onni
Press Office
ufficiostampa@a2a.it
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Marco Porro
Investor Relations Manager
Tel. [+39] 02 7720.3974, ir@a2a.it
