The commitment of Sabancı Group to sustainability is clearly shown through its investments across various sectors, which play a crucial role in delivering substantial environmental and social benefits.
The 2023 World Economic Forum Global Risk Report highlights that half of the world’s emerging as the most severe global risks within the next two years, and 60% within a decade, are environmentally driven. These environmental challenges are making societal issues more severe and increasing inequality, significantly changing daily lives and causing wider social disruptions.
At Sabancı Group, we adopt the strategic direction of “Sustainability for a better life” because we see sustainability as a strategic approach to enhance business resilience. Our primary focus is on new investments in key aspects of the new economy: energy and climate technologies, advanced materials technologies, and digital technologies. This approach enhances Sabancı Group’s resilience of current environmental sustainability challenges, while also positioning the Group as a key player to integrating sustainability into the heart of growth strategy.
At Sabancı Group, we adopt the strategic direction of “Sustainability for a better life” because we see sustainability as a strategic approach to enhance business resilience.
Decarbonization Strategy
In alignment with its strategic framework, Sabancı Group has formulated a comprehensive decarbonization strategy to address potential risks to achieving the 1.5°C goal. Embarking on this journey in 2021, the Group has elevated its commitment by introducing interim GHG emissions reduction targets within the scope of its Nature Project in 2023.
This effort was vital in identifying key areas for improvement towards our Net Zero Emissions target. Specific measures and actions for both Sabancı Holding and its Group companies were outlined to mitigate their environmental impact. Besides its interim GHG emissions reduction target, Sabancı Holding has determined 15 decarbonization initiatives designed to accelerate the transition process, effectively decarbonizing the various industries in which Sabancı Group is actively engaged.
Sabancı Holding Mid-term Targets on Climate
In response to the scientific consensus on limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, Sabancı Holding has aligned its emission reduction objectives accordingly. As a strategic investment holding, we have committed to a 15% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 2025 and a 42% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 2030. Our target is aligned with 1.5°C pathway of the globally recognized ScienceBased Targets initiative (SBTi).
Group companies have begun establishing their Scope 3 GHG emissions targets and are actively engaging in the SBTi approval process. Currently, 60% of Sabancı Holding’s Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions are either in the process of SBTi evaluation or awaiting approval, underscoring our commitment to this ambitious environmental goal.
42%
Reduction in
Scope 1 & 2 GHG
Emissions by
2030 vs. 2021
We will reduce our Scope 1 & 2 GHG
emissions at least 15% by 2025
and 42% by 2030 vs. 2021 baseline
without using carbon offsets.
Sabancı Holding’s Growing Investments in SDG-linked Areas
Sabancı Holding is dedicated to
fostering growth in sustainable
businesses and facilitating the
transition to a lower carbon
economy. This commitment was
further strengthened in 2022 with
strategic investments in activities
linked to the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). By 2027,
Sabancı Holding plans to allocate
USD 5 billion in capital expenditures
and operational spending towards
SDG-linked activities within new
economy areas, with a major
focus on climate mitigation and
adaptation.
USD
5
BILLION
Commitment to Spend for SDG-linked Activities by 2027
We will grow in sustainable
businesses to contribute to the
transition for a sustainable economy.
As Sabancı Group, we started to
track SDG-linked activities in 2022.
Our CapEx and OpEx will reach USD
5 billion in SDG-linked activities by
2027, with climate mitigation and
adaptation having a share of 70%.
To enhance new investments at
both startup and scale-up levels,
Sabancı Ventures functions as
the corporate venture capital
arm of Sabancı Holding, serving
the needs of both financial and
strategic investors. Sabancı
Ventures capitalizes on the
expertise, operational excellence,
and extensive global network of
Sabancı Holding companies, while
creating value through commercial
partnerships. Sabancı Ventures
aligns its investment evaluation
process with the Principles for
Responsible Investment (PRI)’s six
principles. For detailed information
on Sabancı Ventures, please refer
to page 63 of this report.
Sustainability is a key pillar
of innovation and business
development initiative at Sabancı
Group. Our commitment to
sustainability is clearly shown
through our investments across
various sectors, which play a
crucial role in delivering substantial
environmental and social benefits.
Key highlights of Sabancı Group’s
sustainability-related investments
for 2023 include:
- Sabancı Renewables has
acquired 100% of the shares of
Oriana Solar, a US-based solar
power plant facility, with an
investment comprising 232 MW
of solar energy and 60 MW of
energy storage.
- Sabancı Renewables secured
tax equity financing totaling USD
185 million through Advantage
Capital for the Cutlass Solar II
Project, which involves a 272 MW
solar energy investment.
- Enerjisa Üretim has completed
and commissioned the Akköy
Wind Power Plant (WPP) with
a capacity of 25.2 MW as part
of the Aydın Region YEKA-2
projects totaling 250 MW. In
addition, field construction
activities for power plants with
a total capacity of 185 MW have
started. The investments aim
for the gradual completion
and commissioning of the
Renewable Energy Resource
Area 2 (YEKA-2) projects with a
total capacity of 1,000 MW.
- Enerjisa Üretim has completed
an M&A, along with an increase
in existing plant capacity,
providing an additional 40
MW of generation capacity for
renewable energy power.
- Preliminary licenses have been
obtained for three separate
storage WPPs with a total wind
power generation capacity of
500 MW and a battery storage
capacity of 500 MWh, following
applications made to the
regulatory authority.
- Enerjisa Enerji has obtained
preliminary licenses for Solar
Power Plants (SPP) with storage,
consisting of 287 MW of solar-
powered electricity generation
capacity and 255 MWh of
energy storage capacity.
- Eşarj recorded success of over
1,300+ total high speed DC
charging stations covering all
81 cities of Türkiye. Based on
the number of charging points,
Eşarj has a market share of 33%
in high-speed charging and is
the country’s biggest DC charge
point operator.
- The Afyon SPP, jointly
constructed by Enerjisa Enerji
in Çimsa Afyon Plant with an
investment of TL 52 million, has
started operations. This initiative
is a strategic part of the
decarbonization efforts, aiming
to lower carbon emissions
by utilizing renewable energy
sources.
- Investment of EUR 2.2 million
has been made to open the
Technology Center at the
Technical University of Munich.
The new center will support
the development of innovative
and environmental products
and technologies in advanced
building materials, composites,
and construction reinforcement.
- Sabancı Building Solutions
has planned an investment
of EUR 4.2 billion for a SPP
project at the Buñol factory.
This investment is part of the
company’s decarbonization
initiative, aiming to reduce
GHG emissions and promote
sustainable energy practices.
- The announcement has
been made for a waste heat
recovery facility investment at
the Eskişehir facility of Çimsa,
scheduled for completion
in 2024. This project is jointly
initiated with Enerjisa Enerji.
- Sabancı Building Solutions has
made an investment in the
Switzerland-based startup FenX,
which produces sustainable
insulation materials from waste
materials as part of its circular
economy practices.
- Temsa is conducting an R&D
project to develop Türkiye’s
first hydrogen-fueled intercity
coach.
- Pulsora’s sustainable data
management journey has
received a green boost with
Sabancı Climate Ventures
joining its USD 20M Series A
funding.
Sabancı Group for People and Society
Community investment programs are connected to the core strategy and business operations of Sabancı Group. Investing in communities aligns with the Group’s commitment to maximizing positive impact on people and society. Sabancı Group develops and implements strategic community investment programs above an SROI (Social Return on Investment) value of 1.
Sabancı Holding contributes to societal development via various initiatives, including institutional support, social projects, and corporate social responsibility activities, involving both the Holding and the Group companies.
One notable example is Sabancı Holding’s organization of Türkiye’s largest social responsibility campaign – Sabancı Republic Day Campaign. This year, the campaign focused on mitigating the effects of the devastating February 6th earthquake in South Anatolia. Numerous participants from Group companies had a valuable impact across several disaster-affected cities. For detailed information on Sabancı Republic Day Campaign, please refer to page 61 of this report.
In addition to the Group’s efforts, Sabancı Foundation operates with the vision of building a society where all individuals enjoy their rights equally. The Foundation directs its activities toward key areas that include education, social change, culture and the arts. Sabancı Foundation places a special emphasis on women, young people, and individuals with disabilities in its various initiatives, underscoring its commitment to fostering inclusive opportunities and equitable rights through its programs. For detailed information on Sabancı Foundation, please refer to page 109 of this report.
For 24 years, Sabancı University, with the vision of ranking among the world’s leading research universities with its innovationbased studies, has contributed to the development of self-confident individuals who are sensitive to the needs of society, focused on creating solutions and open to continuous improvement. For detailed information on Sabancı University, please refer to page 115 of this report.
Sabancı Renewables has acquired 100% shares of US-based Oriana Solar, a solar energy facility, with a 232 MW solar power plant and 60 MW energy storage investment.
ESG-related Indices Management and Communication with Stakeholders
In 2023, Sabancı Holding’s ESG rating was upgraded from ‘A’ to ‘AA’ by MSCI, marking a notable four-notch increase within a span of just four years. MSCI is one of the most widely used ESG rating firms for responsible investment worldwide. Sabancı Holding is also included in the BIST 25 Sustainability Index whose constituents are BIST-listed companies with the top corporate sustainability performance in Türkiye. Sabancı Holding has been listed in Global A List for CDP Climate Change and increased its total score to A- for CDP Water programs. In addition, out of the 11 Sabancı Group companies that reported to the CDP Climate Change Program, an impressive nine have ascended to leadership levels, with grades of A or A-.
Sabancı Holding received an ‘A’ rating, representing “Excellent Performance,” among more than 50 companies in the Investment Holdings category in accordance with the Refinitiv ESG Assessment. In addition, Sabancı Holding was assessed as “Low Risk” for the ESG risk metrics in the Diversified Financials category by Sustainalytics ESG Rating, placing the Holding among the world’s leading companies on ESG matters. Finally, Sabancı Holding was listed once again in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. The Holding was the only conglomerate from Türkiye included in the ranking.
Beyond its own internal ESGrelated efforts, Sabancı Holding participates in local and international sustainability platforms and initiatives that advocate for further change to environmental and social policy frameworks.
Sabancı Group is a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), World Economic Forum (WEF), 30% Club Türkiye and CNBC ESG Council. The Group also supports local associations and committees to accelerate the transition of Türkiye’s economy to a more sustainable model and enhance the resilience of society and economy to sustainability risks. For example, Sabancı Group has high level representation on various commissions and working groups in the Turkish Industry & Business Association (TÜSİAD), which plays a major role in Türkiye’s economy