INTEGRATED CLIMATE IMPACT MANAGEMENT

Shaping Transition Processes Continental AG

Copyright: Continental AG — **Thomas Sewald**Head of Group Environmental & Climate Protection

Transition strategy with the Scenario Explorer

Working with right°’s software solutions empowers experts and decision makers to prepare business models for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Continental is using the cloud-based Scenario Explorer to

calculate the company’s climate impact (“temperature alignment”),
identify Paris-compatible target pathways,
quantify different business development strategies using scenario analysis,
identify Paris-compatible investments, and
position itself credibly as a transition company.

Decoupling success and emissions

Continental has set itself ambitious targets with which the company aims to become climate-neutral by 2050, including the value chain. On this path, Continental will convert all of its globally purchased electricity to renewable sources as early as 2020 and operate its own site in a climate-neutral manner by 2040 (Scope 1 & 2). These climate targets can only be achieved if the company thinks in terms of new business models and processes that decouple financial success from the emission of climate-damaging greenhouse gases.
Solutions would have to be developed that enable the company to

manage its climate strategy,
evaluate future investments and
create acceptance among internal stakeholders.

"As a steering tool, XDC makes a valuable contribution to the development and implementation of our climate goals."

New KPI: Climate impact

With the help of cloud-based software solutions by right°, Continental conducted an initial analysis of its temperature alignment. In more in-depth analyses, different business development strategies were simulated and evaluated.
Options for implementing the climate strategy were developed together with internal stakeholders from the Rubber Technologies division and Controlling. The focus was on evaluating investments using a new KPI – the XDC. The XDC was used to check which investments support the company in achieving its goals in the medium and long term.

Outlook: Supply Chain Analysis

In further cooperation with right°, Continental is examining the evaluation of trend-setting investment projects. In addition, the application of the XDC model for the evaluation of supplier portfolios is to be developed.

CLIMATE IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR BANKS

Measuring Paris-Alignment Across Asset Classes GLS Bank

**Dr. Laura Mervelskemper**Co-Leiterin "Wirkungstransparenz und Nachhaltigkeit"

Climate fund below 2°C

In 2019, GLS Bank started a climate impact analysis of its climate fund using the XDC Model. Some of the main challenges were:

The coverage of different asset classes,
data availability and
a customized sector classification.

Through intensive collaboration between GLS Bank, Wuppertal Institute and right°, the various challenges were addressed, and the climate impact analysis of the fund was successfully completed.

The result: the fund is demonstrably <2°C-compatible. The bank can communicate the Paris Alignment of the fund to customers and stakeholders.

Consistent Communication

After successfully piloting a Temperature Alignment approach in portfolio management, GLS Bank also extended the XDC analysis to include:

its credit portfolio,
customer portfolios, and
the bank itself.

This methodologically consistent application of Temperature Alignment to all asset classes and areas is the key to consolidated customer communication and transparent reporting.

"Capital flows play a central role in relation to the climate crisis. XDC can help align them to 1.5°C."

GLS Bank cargo bike. Photo: Patrick Held

Strategic Partnership

Within the framework of a strategic partnership, right° and GLS Bank are working on the continuous improvement of the methodological basis of the XDC analysis. The main topics are:

full integration of Temperature Alignment into the portfolio management process,
expanding the applicability of the methodology,
scientific integrity,
methodological transparency.

Experts from all divisions are involved on both sides – from climate science to investment research and communication.

In addition, right° and GLS Bank, together with other partners, launched a pilot project in 2020 to analyse the Temperature Alignment of real estate.

Looking Ahead: Risk Management

Beyond transparent and consistent reporting, the key objective is to be able to redirect capital towards 1.5°C on a larger scale: The integration of climate impact criteria into credit risk assessment and lending processes.

GLS Bank is now tackling the integration of XDC analyses as part of the lending process – determined to act as a pioneer, sending the message “It can be done!”

Accelerating the thermal energy transition

Energy supply solutions for Paris-compatible apartment blocks E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions (EIS)

In a collaborative partnership, right° and E.ON are investigating innovative heating solutions within existing buildings.

E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) has planned a new heat supply system for a typical 1980s model apartment block of 300 units. Together with right°, Patrick Schneckenburger’s team analysed how the science-based 1.5°C figure can be used as the basis for evaluating various technical solutions concepts.

**Typical appartment block (symbolic picture)**

From Status Quo to 1.5°C Real Estate

The conditions of one building are different from the next. So as a first step, E.ON assembled an overview of the status quo to answer the question: Where does the apartment block currently stand in terms of its climate impact in °C? right°’s XDC Real Estate Explorer was used to compare the properties’ total area against their CO2 emissions and to project these results into the future. The analysis showed: With its current heat supply, the apartment block is not Paris-compatible and is well above 1.5°C.

Tool used:

XDC Real Estate Explorer

Calculations performed:

Baseline XDC
Scenario XDCs for four technology options as well as different implementation dates

In the subsequent scenario analysis, the question was investigated: To what extent do E.ON’s solutions contribute to bringing the apartment block into 1.5°C compatibility? Based on the block’s operational emissions, the software calculated results for a total of four modernization options employing different technologies. These calculations were based on both the internationally recognized decarbonization pathways of the CRREM project (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor) and a forecast by the Fraunhofer Institute. The Fraunhofer Institute assumes that the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix will grow significantly faster. The flexibility to consider different scenarios is a specific strength of the XDC Model.

The scenario analysis also illustrated the effect of the different modernization options depending on their time of implementation, thereby indicating when a heating solution would need to be implemented to achieve the 1.5°C target for the property. Since climate change is caused by the cumulative amount of emissions over time, it makes a substantial difference whether the solution is implemented in 2023 or in 2045.

The XDC Model’s results have shown that for refurbished existing apartment blocks, heat pump concepts incorporating a wide range of environmental energy sources are both 1.5°C compliant and economically feasible. However, there are differences within the industry regarding the development of emission factors and pathways. Here, a uniform standard is still needed.

“The tools from right° will enable us to sell and distribute demonstrably Paris-compatible energy supply solutions in the future.”

**Andre Schnelte**Senior Product & Business Development Manager, E.ON

A collaboration with an impact

The team at E.ON can now clearly show their customers which heating concepts deployed at which timepoints are capable of bringing a property into future-proof Paris-alignment: science based and simple in °C. Which combination of technologies is suitable for which challenge depends on the respective requirements and local conditions.

As a next step, the E.ON team intends to bring Paris-conformity into the discussion as a key performance indicator for real estate energy supply. As robust collaboration partners, E.ON and right° aim to establish industry standards that transparently convey emissions intensity as a single informative indicator.

“In addition to the cost-effectiveness of the new energy solutions we design, build, and operate, the demonstrable Paris-conformity of our solutions now also brings compelling informative value into our discussions with customers.”