Positive momentum in Balder's ESG rating
Fastighets AB Balder's targeted efforts within the sustainability field are yielding results Sustainalytics updates Balder's ESG risk rating to 12.3 from 13.8. Balder remains stable within the low-risk range, and is closer to the desirable level of negligible risk.
"As a listed property company, high sustainability demands are placed by investors and other stakeholders. Sustainalytics' positive rating confirms that our efforts are yielding results and further motivates us in our pursuit of even better outcomes," says Balder's Sustainability Manager, Klara Appelqvist.
Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings measures a company’s exposure to industry-specific material ESG risks and how well a company manages them. The lower the rating score a company receives, the better it positions itself on the scale where negligible risk is the most desirable level.
This year's analysis shows that Balder continues to perform well in relation to comparable companies when it comes to minimizing significant ESG risks. Sustainalytics has, this year highlighted Balder's progress in governance and reporting. Balder's positive developments in the climate area related to climate goals, climate calculations, and climate risk analyses are also emphasized.
As a long-term property owner, Balder strives to take social, environmental and financial responsibility and to continually improve the company's sustainability-related activities. In 2023, Balder has expanded its sustainability department by employing two employees to further strengthen sustainability efforts throughout the group and meet the increased demands placed on sustainability reporting.
In the beginning of the year, Balder updated its climate goals, and in July they were sent for validation to Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The climate goal entails Balder more than halving (55%) emissions from its own operations by 2030, as well as measuring and reducing emissions in the value chain. Balder has also set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions throughout the entire value chain by 2045.
For more information, please contact:
Klara Appelqvist, Head of Sustainalbility, +46 (0)31-351 83 86, klara.appelqvist@balder.se
Ewa Wassberg, CFO, +46 (0)31 351 83 99, ewa.wassberg@balder.se
Eva Jonasson, Press Information Officer, +46 (0)31-10 79 44, eva.jonasson@balder.se
Sustainalytics, a Morningstar company, is a leading independent ESG research, ratings and data firm that supports investors around the world with the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies. For more information, visit www.sustainalytics.com.
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a framework for companies to set science-based climate goals that are in line with what is required to meet the goals in the Paris Agreement. By joining the initiative, Balder has begun work on getting the company's climate goals verified and approved.
Fastighets AB Balder is a listed property company that owns, manages and develops residential and commercial properties in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom. The head office is located in Gothenburg. As of 30 June 2023, the property portfolio had a value of SEK 222.2 billion. The Balder share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Large Cap.
