Material impacts, risks and opportunities related to climate change
Material impacts, risks and opportunities and their interaction with strategy and business model
Material impacts, risks and opportunities related to climate change were investigated as part of the double materiality assessment. In order to identify physical climate risks, the double materiality assessment incorporated the results of the climate risk and vulnerability assessment, which was conducted as part of the EU Taxonomy reporting. Materiality assessment
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Risks and opportunities |
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Positive impacts |
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Negative impacts |
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Climate change adaption |
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Risk: Against the backdrop of climate change, there are flood risks at some of HHLA’s own locations in the Container, Intermodal, Logistics and Real Estate segments, which could have negative financial effects in the short, medium and long term, in particular in the form of operational downtime, clean-up work, damage to facilities, property, goods and buildings, and additional personnel costs (physical risk). |
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HHLA’s business activities in the Container, Intermodal and Logistics segments contribute to climate-resilient supply chains for customers in the short, medium and long term, thereby strengthening security of supply and economic stability (transitory opportunity). |
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Climate change mitigation |
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Opportunity: Achieving climate neutrality for the Speicherstadt properties could result in long-term positive financial effects through corresponding competitive advantages and customer preference. |
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HHLA’s CO2-efficient business activities in the Container, Intermodal and Logistics segments contribute to a CO2-efficient supply chain for customers in the short, medium and long term, thereby helping to protect the climate. |
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CO2 emissions from our own activities and those of external parties and customers, such as ships during layovers and external trucking and rail transport companies during their stay at HHLA terminals, contribute to climate change in the short, medium and long term. |
Energy |
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Risk: Volatile energy prices could result in unplanned additional costs for some of HHLA’s own companies in the Container, Intermodal and Logistics segments, with negative financial effects in the short, medium and long term. |
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By operating energy-efficient facilities in the container, intermodal and logistics segments, HHLA contributes to energy-efficient supply chains for its customers and ultimately to climate protection. |
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By using fossil fuels in its own business activities, HHLA contributes to climate change in the short, medium and long term. |
In 2022, HHLA conducted its first climate risk and vulnerability analysis, which has since been updated annually as part of EU Taxonomy reporting and integrated into the risk management system. The climate risk analysis involved identifying potential climate risks for the entire Group and evaluating HHLA’s resilience.
The resilience analysis covers potential climate risks arising from the company's own operations. Transition risks and opportunities are captured and assessed as part of the regular ORMS, which is why they do not form part of the resilience analysis.
The climate risk and vulnerability analysis is based on climate data for the geographical coordinates of HHLA’s locations, which is supplied by a service provider. The climate data was updated in the 2024 financial year following publication of the Sixth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Four climate scenarios were taken into account: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 (SSP = Shared Socioeconomic Pathways). They thus include at least one low-emission scenario (SSP1) and one high-emission scenario. You will find more information in the section on the risk and opportunity management system. Risk and opportunity management system
As part of the initial assessment, workshops were held with experts from operational and commercial departments of the HHLA companies, HHLA ORMS and the Sustainability Department. At these workshops, the experts assessed the resilience of the company’s locations, facilities and operations based on the projected climate data. The annual update is based on this assessment and is supplemented to include new findings.
The resilience analysis with regard to physical climate risks is part of the climate risk analysis and covers the period leading up to 2050 in order to adequately consider the long-term impacts of climate change. In cases involving material risks, an additional assessment is conducted for an observation period of one year (short term), one to five years (medium term, in accordance with the medium-term planning) and beyond (long term). Transition risks, on the other hand, are assessed as part of the operational risk and opportunity management process, with a time horizon of more than five years. The company-wide climate targets are based on the years 2030 and 2040.
The resilience analysis is based on a series of assumptions about how the transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy will impact HHLA's business activities. In particular, the analysis assumes a steady increase in the degree of electrification, which goes hand-in-hand with higher levels of energy efficiency. At the same time, it is assumed that the share of renewable energies in the energy mix will continue to increase both in the company’s own operations and along the value chain. New technologies are also expected to be used, some of which will also serve as transitional solutions until sufficient climate-friendly propulsion technologies are available and market-ready.
As part of the climate risk assessment that follows the resilience analysis, the anticipated financial effects of the risks were taken into account and compared with existing climate change mitigation actions.
The ongoing evaluation and monitoring of these effects as part of risk and opportunity management, as well as the adaptability of the company’s operational processes, show that HHLA, including its own superstructure, is highly resilient to climate change. The high percentages of the taxonomy-aligned revenue, CapEx and OpEx key figures also show that the business model is focused on sustainable activities in accordance with the EU environmental objectives, particularly in the area of climate change mitigation.
The resilience analysis is based on the underlying climate data. The main uncertainties relate to the informational value and quality of the climate data. These are based on current scientific knowledge and assumptions. It remains impossible, however, to make reliable statements about changes in wind conditions.
Material climate risks relate to damage caused by flooding at some locations in the Container, Intermodal, Logistics and Real Estate segments, as well as extreme weather events (storms and heavy rain) affecting business activities in the Container and Intermodal segments. Mitigation and, in isolated cases, adaptation actions are in place for these risks. Actions and resources related to climate change mitigation and adaptation
Regarding the risks posed by extreme weather events, these often relate to the value chain, meaning that the company cannot exert any direct influence over climate change adaptation. As part of the ORMS risk analysis, additional control requirements are identified and reported to decision-makers so that strategy adjustments can be made where necessary. Any additional control requirements are identified and reported to decision-makers as part of the climate risk analysis so that any necessary strategic measures can be taken.