We have been recognised for our commitment to sustainability as we continue to take strong action to achieve positive outcomes across environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects. Our ongoing efforts to build and operate sustainable infrastructure and reduce our environmental impact have contributed towards high ratings from several independent global sustainability benchmarks.
These include the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) for Infrastructure, the Global Listed Infrastructure Organisation (GLIO)/GRESB Public Disclosure ESG Index, and the CDP Climate Change program (read more about our ).
For six consecutive years Transurban has been included in the DJSI World Index, which recognises the top 10% of participating companies based on sustainability outcomes. Globally, more than 5,000 publicly listed companies were evaluated as part of the 2021 assessment.
Transurban also ranked at the top of the “listed infrastructure” category as part of its five-star rating for GRESB, consistent with our performance since 2017. GRESB assesses more than 500 listed and unlisted infrastructure companies around the world to help investors compare sustainability performance.
In addition to performance, public transparency is also important. GLIO has a partnership with GRESB to assess the level to which ESG issues are publicly disclosed. Transurban was recognised as a public disclosure leader, achieving a level A rating in the inaugural 2021 GLIO/GRESB ESG index, reflecting the wide range of information provided to stakeholders.
Transurban’s approach to climate risk, energy and emissions was rated as level B in the CDP Climate Change disclosure program, which is categorised as effective “Management” of climate risk and “taking coordinated action on climate issues”.
Collectively, the ratings assess Transurban’s policies, actions and performance on a range of topics including environmental impact, health and safety performance, and social inclusion.
Transurban’s latest results demonstrate our continued focus on ESG issues, Transurban chief executive officer Scott Charlton said.
“Transurban is always striving to improve its sustainability performance and make meaningful contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals most applicable to our organisation,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by GRESB chief executive Sebastien Roussotte.
“Transurban’s five-star GRESB rating demonstrates its continued ESG leadership in motorways and the broader infrastructure sector since it began participating in the GRESB Assessment four years ago,” Mr Roussotte said.
Transurban’s proactive efforts to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions in the transition towards net zero contributed to the rating results. In 2021, we took a significant step towards this target by commencing renewable Power Purchasing Agreements with wind farms in New South Wales and Queensland that will soon provide most of our energy needs in those regions.
We have also been engaging with suppliers to source low-carbon materials to help ensure all projects are designed and built to achieve Infrastructure Sustainability ratings of ‘Excellent’ or above as assessed by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council. These ratings have helped reduce major project emissions by 644,000 tCO2e to date – offsetting more emissions than the entire NorthConnex project.
Social and governance initiatives also helped lift rating results. This year a Human Rights Policy was introduced, complemented by our first Modern Slavery Statement released in late 2020. We are committed to ensuring safe working conditions and ethical treatment of all stakeholders within our business and supply chain, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
