Annual report 2008/09 - Axpo Group

Annual Report Axpo Holding AG
24 – 25
Editorial / 2–3
Interview with the CEO / 4–6
Strategy / 8–10
Markets and perspectives / 12–18
Success factors / 22–29
Corporate governance / 32–47
Annual report / 50–65
Take part in the energy
dialogue at
www.axpo.ch/energiedialog
The sustainability report is
enclosed with this annual report.
It can also be ordered from
Axpo. An electronic version is
available at: www.axpo.ch
under “Media/Downloads/
Publications”.
Information on “Energie Trialog
Switzerland” can be accessed at
www.energietrialog.ch
of companies (carbon footprint) and to
help them reduce and neutralize these
emissions.
Spadework in energy-saving
construction
Axpo is a pioneer in the area of sustainable
buildings. The new Axpo AG
building in Baden attracted considerable
attention on completion in August
2009. Designed for 150 employees,
it is the fi rst offi ce building in Canton
Aargau to comply with the extremely
strict “Minergie-Eco” environmental
protection standard and the SIA Ener -
gy B effi ciency standards, which, in addition
to a high level of energy effi -
ciency, also demand healthy, comprehensively
ecological building methods.
The building achieves energy savings
of well over 50% compared to conventional
buildings. A further example
is the new extension to the CKW building
in Rathausen, the fi rst Minergie-P
building of this size in Central Switzerland.
Manifold social commitment
Axpo supports and sponsors selected
national and regional projects and
organizations that make an important
contribution to the development of
society and the environment in Switzerland.
These include sports associations,
youth development and environmental
protection projects, and
charitable organizations.
Axpo supports a wide range of projects and organizations, including:
Sports Axpo Super League, Schweizer Sporthilfe [Foundation for Swiss
Sports Assistance], Swiss Alpine Club (SAC), Plusport (the Swiss
umbrella organization for sports for the disabled)
Youth development Zurich Children’s University, Kindercity Volketswil and PSI School
Laboratory
Environmental protection Glacier research project of the University of Zurich
Charitable organizations Winterhilfe Schweiz [Winter Aid Switzerland]
Transparency and dialogue
Axpo seeks a dialogue with all stakeholder
groups that are important to
its activities – the business, scientifi c
and political sectors, shareholders,
customers, non-governmental organizations,
the general public and employees.
The Group takes the expectations
of these interest groups seriously
and consider them in all its actions.
In this spirit, Axpo is involved in
“Energie Trialog”, the Swiss forum for
a responsi ble energy policy. Under
the “Energie Trialog” banner, representatives
from the scientifi c, business
and social sectors come together to
seek solutions for a sustainable,
competitive energy policy.
Axpo has also established its
own platform for dialogue with the website
www.axpo.ch/energiedialog.
Visitors to the website can obtain information
on energy issues, read
controversial opinions on energy matters
and take part in the discussions.
In this way Axpo can pass on information
on its undertakings and also
gain input from outside.
At the end of 2007, Axpo created
a Sustainability Advisory Board consisting
of well-known fi gures from the
business sector, non-governmental
organizations, the media and the scientifi
c community. The Board has the
task of checking, supporting and questioning
Axpo’s sustainability undertaking.
Axpo regularly accounts for its
commitment to sustainability. In 2010,
it is publishing for the second time a
comprehensive sustainability report to
accompany its annual report, based
on the internationally-recognized standards
of the Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI).