Summary of GRI indicators ABB Group Sustainability Indicators 2019

Environmental

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GRI ref.

Indicator description

Data assured
in 2018

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

1	Reporting on lead in submarine cables is discontinued from 2018 due to the divestment of our highvoltage cables and cable accessories businesses in Q1 2017.
2	From 2018 we report all cadmium in batteries in one category. Data from 2013–2017 on cadmium in industrial and rechargeable batteries, respectively, have been summed up and are included here.
3	Data on inflow and outflow of SF₆ insulation gas have been restated for 2017, due to an error in the reporting from one site.
4	Biofuels were reported as a separate category in 2017. Biofuel consumption, total energy used, and energy intensity have been restated for 2014–2016, since the use of biofuels was previously not reported at one of our large facilities.
5	Results for these indicators are based on reported data covering 94% of employees in 2018, 93% in 2017, 97% in 2016, 95% in 2015 and 93% in 2014, plus energy use per employee for the remaining employees pro rata. See the Approach to reporting section for more details.
6	Gas and electricity consumption and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been restated for 2014–2017, due to the correction of earlier conversion factor errors at one of our large facilities.
7	Includes sales from Power Grids division.
8	Water withdrawal from areas of water stress have been restated for 2013-2017, due to earlier errors in reporting of water for remediation projects at two sites.
9	See Approach to reporting chapter for more details on GHG emission calculation.
10	In 2019, we updated the factor used to convert SF6 emissions to CO₂ equivalents to 23,500 kg CO₂e/kg SF6, as recommended by the IPCC 2013 (Fifth Assessment Report), and have applied that factor to SF6 data reported for all years. SF6 emissions for 2018 were restated from 155 kilotons to 164 kilotons due to a reporting error at a large manufacturing site.
11	For 2018 we use the same data as for 2017. For 2017 data see Approach to reporting; 2014–2016 data was estimated.
12	The air travel indicator included data from ABB Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kazakhstan and Romania for the first time in 2016 and from ABB China and Thomas & Betts for the first time in 2014.
13	Data for air travel is calculated using the emission factors published by the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy in its “2018 Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting – Methodology Paper for Emission Factors – Final Report.”
14	The GHG emissions intensity includes Scope 1+2 emissions. Includes sales from Power Grids division.
15	VOC emissions for 2018 were restated from 882 tons to 936 tons due to a reporting error at a large manufacturing site
16	Emissions of Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC-Cl) are included in the Volatile organic compounds (VOC) reported in the line above.
17	Cooling water quality remains unchanged by its use at ABB and is discharged without treatment. Data for 2016 exceptionally included discharge of cooling water to recipient.
18	Hazardous waste as classified in the country where it is generated.
19	An environmental incident is regarded as significant if at least one of the following criteria applies to the incident: obligation to inform local authorities or a governmental agency about the incident and/ or regulatory violation; inspection by an environmental agency results in a formal complaint; environmental Notice of Violation, a Consent Order or a Potential Responsible Party (PRP) notification; imposition of a penalty or fine; significant impact on an ecosystem; costs related to the incident exceed, or may exceed, $10,000.
20	Includes GE Industrial Solutions acquired in 2018.
21	Includes part-time employees. Turnover rate calculated as number of ABB employees (full- and part-time) leaving during the year/total number of ABB employees (full- and part-time) as at December 31, 2020. For the purpose of this calculation, employees and external workforce who leave the organization voluntarily or involuntarily whether due to dismissal, retirement, end of fixed-term contract or death in service or any other reason, are included. However, involuntary turnover arising out of divestments is excluded from the definition.
22	Fatalities include deaths occurring within one year as a result of injuries sustained and commuting is excluded.
23	Incident rates are according to the rate per 100 employees.
24	Data covers incidents that happened at workplace (ABB facility, customer site, project site) and excludes incidents that occurred during business travel.
25	Includes incidents during business travel by road. Air and rail travels are excluded.
26	Recordable incidents include fatal, lost time incidents, serious injury incidents, medical treatment injuries, occupational diseases and restricted work day cases.
27	Rate is calculated per employee.
28	SOT conducted by manager in 2019, in previous years by employees. Sustainability Observation Tour in 2019 and Safety Observation Tour previously.
29	Days lost are calendar days and are counted from the day after the incident.
30	Rate per manager in 2019 and per employee previously.
31	Eligible employees included in ABB HR system. Data covers previous year’s cycle with completion by Q1 of the reporting year.
32	This indicator focuses on senior and middle management and includes employees in hay grades 1 to 10.
33	Does not include GE Industrial Solutions acquired in 2018.
34	Calculated for the first time for 2019.

Hazardous materials

Phthalates (tons)

102

106

191

878

258

Brominated flame retardants (tons)

0.0

1.9

Lead in submarine cables (tons)¹

–

–¹

0.017

8,246

8,376

7,842

Organic lead in polymers (tons)

0.0

0.29

1.0

1.4

0.1

Lead in other products (tons), e.g., backup batteries and counterweights in robots

2,316

2,686

2,548

3,321

1,684

1,884

Cadmium in batteries (tons)²

113.3

71.3

53.0

98.3

79.5

Cadmium in lead alloy and other uses (tons)

0.3

0.4

7.3

6.4

6.0

Mercury in products (tons)

0.001

0.002

0.007

0.071

SF₆ insulation gas (inflow to ABB facilities) (tons)³

1,211

1,286

1,425

1,653

1,658

1,483

SF₆ insulation gas (outflow to customers) (tons)³

1,204

1,279

1,417

1,644

1,648

1,466

No. of transformers with PCB oil in ABB facilities

No. of capacitors with PCB oil in ABB facilities

Mercury in instruments in ABB facilities (tons)

0.0570

0.2150

0.2380

0.2250

0.3200

302-1

Energy consumption (gigawatt-hours – GWh)

Biofuels⁴

52.9

51.6

64.4

Oil (11.63 MWh/ton)

49.0

48.5

58.5

Diesel (11.75 MWh/ton)

4.4

4.8

5.8

Coal (7.56 MWh/ton)

0.0

Gas^5,6

728

658

647

658

737

708

District heat consumption⁵

208

201

209

198

181

198

Electricity consumption^5,6

1,635

1,571

1,561

1,620

1,608

1,628

Total energy used

2,677

2,535

2,546

2,607

2,658

2,675

Electricity sold

302-3

Energy intensity (MWh/million $ sales)⁷

303-1

Water withdrawal (kilotons)

Purchased from water companies⁵

3,896

3,721

3,678

3,800

4,000

4,200

Groundwater extracted by ABB

2,066

2,499

2,726

2,300

3,200

3,100

Surface water extracted by ABB

2,406

2,561

2,849

3,000

2,400

2,800

Collection of rainwater

9.8

<100

Waste water from external source

21.7

<100

Water withdrawal from areas of water stress⁸

2,711

2,778

2,694

2,730

2,993

2,951

Total water withdrawal

8,401

8,827

9,280

9,100

9,700

10,100

303-3

Water recycled and reused

Volume of water reused and recycled (kilotons)

8,051

7,449

7,807

10,600

5,200

As percentage of total water withdrawal (%)

116

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions⁹ (kilotons CO₂ equivalent)

305-1

Scope 1

CO₂ from the use of energy⁶

162

148

149

155

173

170

SF₆ (in CO₂ equivalents)¹⁰

159

164

180

228

244

394

CO₂ from transport by own fleet¹¹

350

305-2

Scope 2

District heat consumption

Electricity consumption⁶

569

597

606

614

684

682

Total scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions

915³³

1002

1,026

1,378

1,480

1,631

305-3

Scope 3

Air travel^12,13

148

138

150

164

158

171

Waste generated in operations³⁴

–

Energy-related activities not in scope 1/2³⁴

–

Purchased goods and services³⁴

4104

–

Employee commuting³⁴

249

–

Up- and downstream transportation³⁴

1150

–

Up- and downstream leased assets³⁴

219

–

305-4

GHG emissions intensity (tons CO₂ equivalents/million $)¹⁴

Tons CO₂ equivalents per million $ sales, scope 1+2

–

305-7

Emissions of volatile organic compounds (tons)

Volatile organic compounds (VOC)¹⁵

1,128

936

987

1,105

1,223

1,291

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC-Cl)¹⁶

Emissions of NO_X and SO_X (tons SO₂ and NO₂)

SO_X from burning coal

SO_X from burning oil and biofuels

NO_X from burning coal

NO_X from burning oil and biofuels

NO_X from burning gas

156

142

140

142

159

153

306-1

Water discharge by quality and destination (kilotons)

Public sewer

3,591

3,649

3,039

4,200

3,100

3,000

treated (percentage)

36%

38%

21%

28%

30%

untreated (percentage)

64%

62%

79%

72%

70%

Recipient¹⁷

1,123

761

444

4,500

2,600

2,900

treated (percentage)

84%

90%

81%

15%

90%

untreated (percentage)

16%

10%

19%

85%

10%

Hazardous treatment company

140

300

360

400

treated (percentage)

81%

47%

13%

71%

90%

75%

untreated (percentage)

19%

53%

87%

29%

10%

25%

External use

<100

treated (percentage)

100%

–

63%

50%

untreated (percentage)

100%

–

37%

50%

306-2

Waste (kilotons)

Scrap metal recycled

167

156

153

148

158

162

Non-hazardous waste recycled⁵

Non-hazardous waste sent for disposal⁵

Hazardous waste recycled¹⁸

Hazardous waste sent for disposal¹⁸

Total waste (generated)

283

266

263

254

270

273

306-3

Numbers of significant spills¹⁹

Oil spills

Chemical spills

Emissions to air

Others

Total number of significant spills

Social

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GRI ref.

Indicator description

Data assured

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

1	Reporting on lead in submarine cables is discontinued from 2018 due to the divestment of our highvoltage cables and cable accessories businesses in Q1 2017.
2	From 2018 we report all cadmium in batteries in one category. Data from 2013–2017 on cadmium in industrial and rechargeable batteries, respectively, have been summed up and are included here.
3	Data on inflow and outflow of SF₆ insulation gas have been restated for 2017, due to an error in the reporting from one site.
4	Biofuels were reported as a separate category in 2017. Biofuel consumption, total energy used and energy intensity have been restated for 2014–2016, since the use of biofuels was previously not reported at one of our large facilities.
5	Results for these indicators are based on reported data covering 94% of employees in 2018, 93% in 2017, 97% in 2016, 95% in 2015 and 93% in 2014, plus energy use per employee for the remaining employees pro rata. See the Approach to reporting section for more details.
6	Gas and electricity consumption and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been restated for 2014–2017, due to the correction of earlier conversion factor errors at one of our large facilities.
7	Includes sales from Power Grids division.
8	Water withdrawal from areas of water stress have been restated for 2013-2017, due to earlier errors in reporting of water for remediation projects at two sites.
9	See Approach to reporting chapter for more details on GHG emission calculation.
10	In 2019, we updated the factor used to convert SF6 emissions to CO₂ equivalents to 23,500 kg CO₂e/kg SF₆, as recommended by the IPCC 2013 (Fifth Assessment Report), and we have applied that factor to SF₆ data reported for all years. SF₆ emissions for 2018 were restated from 155 kilotons to 164 kilotons due to a reporting error at a large manufacturing site.
11	For 2018 we use the same data as for 2017. For 2017 data see Approach to reporting; 2014–2016 data was estimated.
12	The air travel indicator included data from ABB Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kazakhstan and Romania for the first time in 2016 and from ABB China and Thomas & Betts for the first time in 2014.
13	Data for air travel is calculated using the emission factors published by the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy in its “2018 Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting – Methodology Paper for Emission Factors – Final Report.”
14	The GHG emissions intensity includes Scope 1&2 emissions. Includes sales from Power Grids.
15	VOC emissions for 2018 were restated from 882 tons to 936 tons due to a reporting error at a large manufacturing site.
16	Emissions of Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC-Cl) are included in the Volatile organic compounds (VOC) reported in the line above.
17	Cooling water quality remains unchanged by its use at ABB and is discharged without treatment. Data for 2016 exceptionally included discharge of cooling water to recipient.
18	Hazardous waste as classified in the country where it is generated.
19	An environmental incident is regarded as significant if at least one of the following criteria applies to the incident: obligation to inform local authorities or a governmental agency about the incident and/ or regulatory violation; inspection by an environmental agency results in a formal complaint; environmental Notice of Violation, a Consent Order or a Potential Responsible Party (PRP) notification; imposition of a penalty or fine; significant impact on an ecosystem; costs related to the incident exceed, or may exceed, $10,000.
20	Includes GE Industrial Solutions acquired in 2018.
21	Includes part-time employees. Turnover rate calculated as number of ABB employees (full- and part-time) leaving during the year/total number of ABB employees (full- and part-time) as at December 31, 2020. For the purpose of this calculation, employees and external workforce who leave the organization voluntarily or involuntarily whether due to dismissal, retirement, end of fixed-term contract or death in service or any other reason, are included. However, involuntary turnover arising out of divestments is excluded from the definition.
22	Fatalities include deaths occurring within one year as a result of injuries sustained and commuting is excluded.
23	Incident rates are according to the rate per 100 employees.
24	Data covers incidents that happened at workplace (ABB facility, customer site, project site) and excludes incidents that occurred during business travel.
25	Includes incidents during business travel by road. Air and rail travels are excluded.
26	Recordable incidents include fatal, lost time incidents, serious injury incidents, medical treatment injuries, occupational diseases and restricted work day cases.
27	Rate is calculated per employee.
28	SOT conducted by manager in 2019, in previous years by employees. Sustainability Observation Tour in 2019 and Safety Observation Tour previously.
29	Days lost are calendar days and are counted from the day after the incident.
30	Rate per manager in 2019 and per employee previously.
31	Eligible employees included in ABB HR system. Data covers previous year’s cycle with completion by Q1 of the reporting year.
32	This indicator focuses on senior and middle management and includes employees in hay grades 1 to 10.
33	Does not include GE Industrial Solutions acquired in 2018. Total GHG emissions including GE Industrial Solutions was 998 kilotons.
34	Calculated for the first time for 2019.

401-1

Total number and rates of new employee hires and employee turnover

Total workforce by region (ABB employees)²⁰

Europe

68,400

68,300

63,000

61,400

61,600

63,000

The Americas

35,200

35,600

28,800

29,000

30,900

32,200

Asia, Middle East and Africa

40,800

42,700

43,000

41,900

43,300

45,200

Total

144,400

146,600

134,800

132,300

135,800

140,400

Employee turnover

Turnover of all employees²¹

Europe

9,732

14%

6,509

10%

7,105

11%

6,063

10%

5,891

5,877

The Americas

5,443

16%

3,986

11%

3,148

11%

5,338

17%

5,409

17%

5,379

17%

Asia, Middle East and Africa

6,860

17%

5,127

12%

3,749

4,430

11%

4,946

12%

5,701

13%

Total employee turnover: ABB Group

22,035

15%

15,622

11%

14,002

10%

15,831

12%

16,246

12%

16,957

12%

Turnover of all female employees²¹

Europe

2,871

2,053

2,097

1,571

1,498

1,370

The Americas

1,553

1,154

940

1,265

1,418

1,307

Asia, Middle East and Africa

1,399

967

855

882

1,093

1,311

Total female employee turnover: ABB Group

5,823

4,174

3,892

3,718

4,009

3,882

Employee hires

Hires of all employees²¹

Europe

11,560

17%

7,848

11%

6,888

11%

5,656

5,672

6,195

10%

The Americas

4,221

12%

3,525

10%

3,905

13%

3,354

11%

3,573

11%

4,142

13%

Asia, Middle East and Africa

6,121

15%

5,281

12%

4,403

11%

2,920

3,777

5,493

13%

Total employee hires: ABB Group

21,902

15%

16,654

11%

15,196

11%

11,930

13,022

10%

15,830

12%

Hires of all female employees²¹

Europe

3,898

2,442

2,161

1,681

1,520

1,597

The Americas

1,357

950

1,030

937

769

1,010

Asia, Middle East and Africa

1,275

1,076

900

586

761

1,308

Total female employee hires: ABB Group

6,530

4,468

4,091

3,204

3,050

3,915

403-9

Occupational health and safety: Injuries, lost days, diseases and fatalities

Employee work-related fatalities^22,24

Incident rate²³

0.01

0.00

Employee business travel fatalities^22,25

Incident rate²³

0.00

Contractor work-related fatalities²⁴

Contractor business travel fatalities^22,25

Members of the public fatalities²²

Employee total recordable incident number^24,26

744

830

1,049

1,140

1,310

1,500

Injury rate²³

0.47

0.58

0.73

0.79

0.87

0.99

Contractor total recordable incident number^24,26

149

203

205

277

343

333

Injury rate²³

0.46

0.58

0.52

0.70

0.80

0.78

Employee lost time incident number²⁴

372

386

472

441

531

652

Injury rate²³

0.23

0.27

0.33

0.30

0.36

0.43

Contractor lost time incident number²⁴

118

163

200

Injury rate²³

0.29

0.28

0.24

0.30

0.38

0.47

Employee lost days due to industrial incidents²⁹

6,757

6,650

7,331

6,905

7,831

8,415

Days lost rate²³

4.26

4.63

5.11

4.78

5.26

5.52

Employee occupational health illness²⁴

Employee occupational health illness rate^23,24

0.01

0.02

0.05

0.03

0.01

Sustainability Observation Tours (SOT) conducted²⁸

83,859

144,738

182,265

178,473

139,124

–

SOT rate^28,30

5.52

1.01

1.27

1.24

0.92

–

Hazards reported²⁴

336,747

389,733

585,627

621,849

520,942

–

Hazards reporting rate²⁷

2.12

2.72

4.08

4.31

3.51

–

Data by region

Employee work-related fatalities: ABB Group^22,24

Europe

The Americas

Asia, Middle East and Africa

Employee business travel fatalities: ABB Group

Europe

The Americas

Asia, Middle East and Africa

Contractor work-related fatalities: ABB Group

Europe

The Americas

Asia, Middle East and Africa

Contractor business travel fatalities: ABB Group

Europe

The Americas

Asia, Middle East and Africa

Employee total recordable injury rate: ABB Group

0.47

0.58

0.73

0.79

0.88

0.10

Europe

0.53

0.66

0.86

0.96

1.02

1.16

The Americas

0.68

0.97

1.17

1.18

1.40

1.57

Asia, Middle East and Africa

0.16

0.19

0.24

0.27

0.31

0.39

Contractor total recordable injury rate: ABB Group

0.456

0.58

0.52

0.70

0.80

0.78

Europe

1.38

1.52

1.38

1.69

1.88

1.97

The Americas

0.42

0.74

0.96

1.47

1.54

1.40

Asia, Middle East and Africa

0.20

0.26

0.24

0.35

0.37

0.35

Employee lost time injury rate: ABB Group

0.23

0.27

0.33

0.30

0.36

0.43

Europe

0.37

0.39

0.48

0.47

0.56

0.66

The Americas

0.20

0.30

0.34

0.29

0.33

0.40

Asia, Middle East and Africa

0.07

0.09

0.08

0.12

Contractor lost time injury rate: ABB Group

0.29

0.28

0.24

0.30

0.38

0.47

Europe

1.15

0.91

0.73

0.93

1.03

1.38

The Americas

0.19

0.29

0.35

0.81

0.84

0.86

Asia, Middle East and Africa

0.07

0.08

0.10

0.07

0.12

0.15

Employee days lost rate: ABB Group

4.26

4.63

5.11

4.78

5.26

5.52

Europe

5.95

6.19

6.95

5.98

7.32

8.25

The Americas

4.20

6.46

6.43

7.81

6.02

8.28

Asia, Middle East and Africa

1.71

1.05

1.49

0.99

1.74

1.72

Employee occupational health disease rate: ABB Group

0.01

0.02

0.05

0.03

0.01

Europe

0.02

0.04

0.05

0.09

0.06

0.02

The Americas

0.01

0.00

0.02

0.03

Asia, Middle East and Africa

0.00

0.01

0.00

0.05

0.00

SOT rate: ABB Group

5.52

1.01

1.27

1.24

0.92

–

Europe

5.34

0.92

0.84

0.76

0.51

–

The Americas

6.14

1.09

1.71

1.87

1.41

–

Asia, Middle East and Africa

5.40

1.10

1.61

1.53

1.17

–

Hazard rate: ABB Group

2.12

2.72

4.08

4.31

3.51

–

Europe

2.04

2.38

3.37

3.65

2.67

–

The Americas

1.61

2.66

4.81

4.78

4.25

–

Asia, Middle East and Africa

2.82

3.28

4.64

5.03

4.19

–

406-1

Non-discrimination

Total number of incidents of discrimination

Total number of incidents of harassment

415-1

Public policy

Financial and in-kind political contributions

$1,260

$11,500

$300

$10,400

$12,600

$13,000

404-1

Training and education

Training per year per employee (average hours)

China

Finland

Germany

India

Italy

Mexico

134

Poland

Sweden

Switzerland

USA

404-3

Employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews³¹

Top and senior managers

73%

89%

94%

92%

85%

87%

Middle and lower managers

89%

93%

96%

94%

90%

91%

Other employees

89%

91%

87%

88%

Total workforce

89%

91%

92%

87%

88%

405-1

Diversity and equal opportunity

Composition of governance bodies

Board of Directors

Women in Board (percentage)

18%

10%

18%

13%

Age group diversity (percentage)

<30 years old

30–50 years old

18%

>50 years old

91%

100%

Number of nationalities

Executive Committee

Women in Executive Committee (percentage)

16%

Age group diversity total (percentage)

<30 years old

30–50 years old

27%

18%

27%

36%

>50 years old

92%

100%

73%

82%

73%

64%

Number of nationalities

Employees in senior and middle management³²

Women in senior and middle management

18%

17%

16%

18%

17%

15%

Men in senior and middle management

82%

83%

84%

82%

83%

85%

Total workforce (ABB employees)

Women in total workforce

24%

23%

22%

Men in total workforce

76%

77%

78%