Ørsted is on the A team for climate action

The score recognises Ørsted's actions to reduce emissions, mitigate climate risks, and develop the low-carbon economy, and is based on the company's climate reporting in 2019. More than 8,400 companies submitted climate data for assessment by CDP, with just 179 receiving an A score in the 'climate change' category.

Marianne Wiinholt, CFO of Ørsted, says:
"Ørsted has come a long way over the past decade, from a fossil-fuel intensive utility to one of the world's five largest renewable energy companies. Being transparent about our climate impacts is central to our green transformation, and we're delighted to provide our investors with the assurance that a CDP A score brings."

A-list companies are considered by CDP to be at 'leadership level' for environmental best practices. According to Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP, "The A-list companies are leading the market in corporate sustainability, tackling environmental risks and setting themselves up to thrive in tomorrow's economy." 

Key reasons for Ørsted's A score
CDP says the key reasons for Ørsted's A score in 2019 are its carbon reduction initiatives and transparent reporting on carbon emissions and climate risks. Ørsted's approved science-based target of reducing carbon intensity of energy generation by 98% by 2025 is regarded by CDP as an indicator of best practice in aligning with a world that limits global warming to 1.5°C.

In 2019, Ørsted stepped up environmental performance by setting a science-based target to halve indirect emissions from energy trading and in the supply chain by 2032. The company continued to build green energy at scale in 2019, including the world's biggest offshore wind farm in the UK, the first commercial offshore wind farm in Taiwan, and its first utility-scale solar plus battery storage project in the US.

"More and more often, investors want companies to disclose their climate-related risks. Being a member of CDP's A list clearly demonstrates to our stakeholders that we actively manage climate risks and take the lead in combating climate change," says Marianne Wiinholt. 

Ørsted discloses data on climate performance through CDP's annual climate change questionnaire, and previously received B and C scores in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Targets in Ørsted's decarbonisation programme

By 2023

• Phase out coal completely. Over the past decade, Ørsted has shut down three coal-fired power plants in Denmark. Power plants that play a key role in generating heat to Danish households and industry have been converted from coal to certified sustainable biomass. One remaining coal-fired power plant will be shut down by 2023.

By 2025 

• By phasing out fossil fuels and installing 20GW of renewable energy, carbon emissions will have been reduced by at least 98% by 2025 compared with 2006.
• Continue to reduce carbon emissions beyond 98% by switching to a fleet of electric vehicles in the company car fleet, in line with the EV100 requirements, and finding other reduction opportunities in energy generation and operations.

By 2030

• Build more than 30GW of green energy across technologies - enough to power more than 50 million people.

By 2032

• Reduce emissions from the supply chain and energy trading by 50%, as compared with 2018, to align carbon reductions across the entire carbon footprint with the 1.5°C pathway.

About the CDP rating
The annual CDP disclosure process uses an independent methodology to assess companies that disclose data on environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities. Companies are assessed using a questionnaire and are allocated a score ranging from A to D-, depending on transparency of climate disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks, and level of ambition and action in setting and reaching environmental targets. The CDP disclosure process is regarded by investors as the highest standard for corporate environmental transparency.