Sustainability Statement

Explanatory Information on the Content of the Report and the Framework

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force across the EU on January 5, 2023. All European Union (EU) member states, including Germany, were given a period of 18 months, i.e., until July 5, 2024, to transpose the Directive into national law. Germany had not transposed the Directive as of December 31, 2024.

This means that the current legislation remains unchanged for the 2024 reporting period, and that a Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) must continue to be prepared in accordance with Sections 315b, 315c in conjunction with Sections 289c to 289e of the German Commercial Code (HGB).

Despite not being under any obligation to report in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), Vonovia SE (hereinafter referred to as “Vonovia”) has decided to publish its sustainability statement (hereinafter referred to as “sustainability statement”) – which also meets the requirements for the Non-financial Group Declaration prepared in accordance with Sections 315b to 315c HGB, taking full account of the ESRS as a recognized framework in accordance with Sections 315c (3) in conjunction with 289d HGB. Consequently, this Group sustainability statement meets both the requirements set out in the CSRD, as well as the requirements laid down in Sections 315b to 315c HGB for a Non-financial Group Declaration and Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 (the EU taxonomy).

This ensures compliance with the Minimum Disclosure Requirements pursuant to Sections 315c in conjunction with 289c HGB and German Accounting Standards (GAS) 20.257 et seq.

The initial preparation of the sustainability statement in full compliance with the ESRS results in a breach of the principle of consistency referred to in German Accounting Standard (GAS) 20.26. Transitioning away from the previous reporting framework based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reflects the significance of the ESRS as the sustainability reporting standards adopted by the European Commission. Prior-year metrics have been restated retroactively to reflect the new calculation methods where appropriate.

The main relevant non-financial performance indicators are reported – together with information on the underlying policies, objectives and measures – in the individual chapters covering the content in question. These cover the legally mandated aspects – environmental issues, social issues, employee issues, combating corruption and bribery, and observance of human rights.

This sustainability statement includes Vonovia’s Sustainability Performance Index (SPI). This key figure is the Vonovia Group’s primary non-financial performance indicator within the meaning of GAS 20, Paragraph 101 in conjunction with Paragraph 106. The SPI consists of six subindicators derived from the material sustainability topics and serves as a vital instrument for managing, and in terms of the remuneration for our sustainable activities (for further details see ESRS 2 GOV-3). As the most significant non-financial performance indicator, the SPI is also presented in the chapters entitled “Corporate Governance” and “Forecast Report".

The sustainability statement is not covered by the statutory audit, but is subjected to a voluntary limited assurance review conducted by PwC GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Essen, in accordance with ISAE 3000 (Revised). All references to content outside the sustainability statement are considered additional information and are neither part of the Sustainability Statement nor covered by the limited assurance review. References and additional information are not an integral part of this sustainability statement.

In line with the financial reporting, revenue, capital expenditures and operating expenses are defined by the EU taxonomy and are not included in the denominators of the three indicators.