Hera among the best utilities in the S&P Global Ratings ESG evaluations

The Hera Group ranks 5^th internationally among the Utility Networks assessed by this rating agency's Sustainable Finance analysts, thanks to its focus on sustainability, which has characterised the Group since its establishment, and its ability to manage risks and opportunities

After being included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, World and Europe, in 2020, the Hera Group has once again confirmed its standing as one of the companies most attentive to sustainability and ESG aspects internationally.

Hera's ESG Evaluation, carried out by the Sustainable Finance analysts of S&P Global Ratings, was indeed published today. This is a cross-industry assessment of a company's ability to effectively manage, over the medium and long term, its exposure to environmental, social and governance risks, as well as to seize opportunities arising from the changes occurring in a constantly evolving international context.

The Hera Group is the first company in Italy to publish its ESG Evaluation, in which it obtained an overall score of 81/100, making it one of the top fifteen companies assessed internationally by S&P Global Ratings. The score obtained (81) places it well above the international (68) and European (73) average and ranks Hera fifth internationally among Utility Networks (with the sector average coming to 74).

This is a further important recognition of the attention that the Hera Group pays to ESG aspects in pursuing its strategy of sustainable, long-term growth, which has characterised it since it was established in 2002, which complements and goes hand in hand with its financial solidity, confirmed by its recent rating upgrade.

In particular, in the ESG Evaluation, the Hera Group is assessed by S&P Global Ratings as being strongly prepared to implement its growth and development strategy, ready to face the potential risks deriving from regulations in an economy that is moving towards the circular model, with low emissions, supporting the resilience of its well-diversified business model.

Among the Group's most distinctive factors, the following were positively evaluated: a robust governance, characterised by a high level of independence and transparency; a proven ability to anticipate change and a solid track record in setting and achieving targets; an ability to capitalise on the principles of the circular economy by investing in technology and innovation, with results exceeding its peers; a long-term growth strategy anchored to sustainability principles (by creating shared value, in line with the goals on the UN 2030 Agenda); a good level of diversity, thanks to a high percentage of women in managerial positions, and the inclusive approach to local communities, through their constant engagement thanks to targeted initiatives.