Heartland announces Greenhouse Gas emissions targets

NZX/ASX Release Heartland announces Greenhouse Gas emissions targets 31 March 2021 Heartland Group Holdings Limited (Heartland) (NZX/ASX: HGH) is pleased to announce its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions targets - an important milestone towards Heartland's sustainability goals published in its FY2020 Annual Report. As a member of the Climate Leaders Coalition, Heartland joins other New Zealand organisations which have each agreed to set public emissions reduction targets consistent with the Paris Agreement objective to limit global warming within 2?C of pre-industrial levels. Heartland's target is more ambitious than this, and aligned with keeping global temperatures within 1.5?C. Heartland has established the following GHG emissions reduction targets. o By FY2026, Heartland aims to reduce absolute Reported Emissions* by 35% from its FY2019 baseline**. This includes a target to specifically reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol) by 35% over the target period. o Heartland will actively encourage suppliers to have GHG emissions targets of their own and monitor the uptake of GHG targets in its supply chain. o Heartland will undertake further work to understand the current emissions of key sectors in its lending book and identify ways in which it can support reductions in emissions within each sector. Heartland is well underway to reducing GHG emissions through already established initiatives. This includes a commitment to using only Certified Renewable Electricity in New Zealand from 1 April 2021 and a review of the company vehicle fleet to reduce fleet-related emissions. As a financial organisation, Heartland believes its role in sustainability extends beyond business operations, to the customers and activities it actively supports through lending. Heartland will continue to seek external advice on measuring GHG emissions in each sector of its lending book, and will begin to trial a number of sustainable lending projects across the three pillars of its sustainability strategy, including environmental conservation. "Heartland has made great strides in the last year to understand the impact we have on our environment and our opportunity to make a positive difference," explained Laura Byrne, Heartland Group Chief of Staff. "Publishing our targets to reduce our carbon footprint is an important milestone in this journey. The targets will challenge and engage Heartland employees across the business, and reflect our matapono, or values." * Heartland's Reported Emissions are all Scope 1 (vehicle fleet) and Scope 2 (electricity) plus Scope 3 emissions from freight, waste and business travel. ** Heartland's FY2019 Reported GHG emissions are 1,157 tCO2e. These baseline emissions have been independently audited by Toitu Envirocare. - Ends - For further information, please contact: Person who authorised this announcement: Laura Byrne Title: Chief of Staff, Heartland Group Contact phone number: 09 927 9029 Contact email address: laura.byrne@heartland.co.nz Address: Level 3, Heartland House, 35 Teed Street, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand End CA:00370069 For:HGH Type:GENERAL Time:2021-04-01 08:30:16