Evergy’s 2021 Sustainability Report Highlights Emission Reductions, Customer Assistance Resources and Robust Community Investment

Evergy (NYSE: EVRG) published three reports, including its 2021 Sustainability Report, that provide details on the company’s achievements and progress toward environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Evergy’s continued transition to more sustainable energy sources, being a great place to work for its employees, and commitment to the communities it serves are central to its ESG strategy.

“Since forming Evergy in 2018, we've enhanced our ESG practices and disclosures. Last year, we introduced our 2045 net-zero carbon target, with an interim goal of 70 percent reduction by 2030, building on our track record and trajectory of historical emissions reductions.” said David Campbell, Evergy’s president and chief executive officer. “Beyond environmental policy, we've also taken a comprehensive approach to reviewing and updating our social and governance policies and related disclosures including a corporate human rights policy, expanded shareholder rights and a formalized water policy.”

The updated reports provide stakeholders with valuable ESG information on how Evergy is providing safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to customers while employing a diverse workforce, being a great place to work for employees and supporting the communities it serves. Highlights include:

• Environmental: In 2021, Evergy has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions of 46 percent, and sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 98 percent and 88 percent, respectively, compared with 2005 baseline numbers. For the first time, the company’s 2021 scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions received independent third-party verification.
• Social: Over the past two years, Evergy has focused on programs to assist customers by linking them to resources and through these efforts has helped Evergy customers secure $47 million in bill payment assistance from traditional utility assistance programs as well as COVID-19 relief resources. Evergy donated an additional $6.7 million to communities in the areas of environmental leadership and community vitality. Evergy also continued improvement in regional rate competitiveness, with retail rates down approximately 4.2 percent over the 2017-2021 period, outpacing regional peers and well below the rate of inflation.
• Governance: Evergy introduced proxy access rights for shareholders in 2020, and also recently amended its bylaws to allow one or more shareholders owning at least 15 percent of common stock to call special shareholder meetings, provided requirements are met. Elements of executive compensation also have been tied to ESG performance.

“Our Board of Directors has linked executive compensation to the successful execution of both environmental and diversity, equity, and inclusion aspects of our business,” said Heather Humphrey, senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. “We're proud of the advancements we've made to further demonstrate our commitment to leading ESG practices. We are focused on maintaining this momentum as we execute our plan and deliver sustainable results in the years ahead.”