NW Natural Holding Company (NW Natural) released its 2021 ESG report, providing in-depth coverage of the company’s progress on its ESG goals. “As NW Natural Holdings expanded the company and navigated a dynamic global landscape in 2021, we intensified our focus on key ESG priorities,” said David H. Anderson, NW Natural Holdings president and CEO. “While continuing to deliver energy safely and reliably, we took initiative on multiple fronts to help move our region to a low-carbon, renewable energy future; safeguard the health and well-being of our employees, customers, and neighbors; assist our most vulnerable community members; foster a diverse, inclusive company culture; and maintain a strong foundation of corporate integrity.”
The ESG report incorporates disclosures recommended for the industry by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and includes components of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Highlights from the 2021 report include the following:
- Exceeded target pace for achieving the voluntary carbon savings goal laid out in its low carbon pathway
- Delivered the environmental benefits of renewable natural gas (RNG) to our sales customers for the first time under Oregon’s landmark legislation
- Completed one of the first in-depth scenario analyses by a gas utility that analyzes possible ways to achieve carbon neutrality by leveraging its existing system
- Launched a new sustainable financing framework and issued inaugural sustainable financings
- Reduced the number of workplace injuries to the lowest level in more than a decade
- Contributed nearly US$1 million to organizations supporting families and children at risk
- Elected a woman as chair of NW Natural Holdings’ board of directors and increased the number of women on the board to 45%
- Invested in critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, safety, and customer support improvements across the NW Natural Water family of utilities
- Launched NW Natural Renewables to supply low-carbon fuels for the utility, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors
- Recognized by Ethisphere as one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies
“NW Natural has been a trusted energy provider in the Pacific Northwest for 163 years, and we’re committed to caring for people and the environment where we grew up,” said Anderson. “We’ve evolved many times since 1859 to meet the changing needs of our region, and I hope this ESG report provides a view of the passion and principle we continue to bring to that mission.”
