Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Broad societal value

Our activities affect many different stakeholders: residents living near our projects, businesses, governments, partners, employees and the Dutch State as shareholder. We aim to create value for all of these stakeholders. This involves more than economic returns alone. Safety, sustainability, the living environment, security of energy supply and good governance are also important considerations.

The themes we focus on

Analyses and stakeholder dialogues show that six topics are most relevant to EBN:

• Energy transition (sustainability)
• Energy security
• Environment
• Safety
• Good employment practices
• Good governance

These themes align with our strategy and form the foundation of our objectives. They also contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on which EBN focuses: SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 12 and SDG 13.

• Energy transition and security of energy supply

EBN does not see security of energy supply and sustainability as opposing objectives, but as two sides of the same challenge. The Netherlands needs a reliable energy supply today while simultaneously working towards a climate-neutral energy system. That is why EBN invests in activities that contribute to both the energy transition and security of supply, such as geothermal energy, CO₂ transport and storage, district heating networks and other sustainable energy systems. At the same time, we contribute to energy availability through natural gas production for as long as it remains necessary for society and the economy. In 2025, EBN invested more than €400 million in projects that contribute to the energy transition and the security of our energy supply.

• Environment, safety and the living environment

When developing our projects, we pay close attention to their impact on the environment and surrounding communities. This means identifying risks, taking environmental effects into account in decision-making, and working to further improve the sustainability of our activities and investments. Safety is an important precondition in this regard. Although EBN does not have an operational role in many projects, we work closely with operators, governments and partners to promote the safe development and operation of energy infrastructure. Experiences from the past underline the importance of continuous attention to safety, societal impacts and careful decision-making.

• Environment, Safety and Local Communities

In developing our projects, we pay close attention to their impact on the environment and local communities. This means identifying risks, taking environmental effects into account in decision-making, and pursuing further improvements in the sustainability of our activities and investments.

Safety is an essential precondition in this regard. While EBN does not have an operational role in many projects, we work together with operators, public authorities and other partners to promote the safe development and operation of energy infrastructure. Lessons learned from the past underline the importance of continuously addressing safety, societal impacts and careful decision-making.

• Being a Responsible Employer

Our organisation relies on the knowledge, expertise, commitment and development of our employees. That is why we invest in a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, competitive employment conditions, training and personal development. We believe it is important that employees have the opportunity to grow, enjoy their work and remain sustainably employable throughout their careers. In doing so, we strengthen not only EBN, but also the quality of our contribution to the energy transition.

• Integrity, Transparency and Good Governance

Good governance is a fundamental condition for responsible business conduct. EBN attaches great importance to integrity, transparency and sound decision-making. Our governance framework, risk management systems and codes of conduct are designed to serve public interests in a responsible manner.
This is reflected in EBN taking sustainability considerations into account when making investment decisions. In addition, EBN is committed to the responsible use of new technologies, with reliability, transparency and ethical considerations at the core of its approach.