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11

Annexes

Defining the more important topics of the report

In presenting its activities in the Sustainable Development Report, Viru Keemia Grupp strives to cover issues that are of interest to its stakeholders.

In disclosing information in the report, the obligations of the enterprise, including those stipulated in international documents (e.g. the UN Global Compact guidelines) have been taken into account.

In choosing the more important topics and the relevant indicators for the report, we analyse:

  • the effect of the activities on the economy and the social and natural environment as well as the results of monitoring its extent and nature;
  • the content of cooperation with stakeholders and their requests for information;
  • Estonian and international studies on the practices of sustainable development management in the industry sector and reports published in that area.

The following was analysed in assessing the cooperation between the Group and the stakeholders and in identifying the topics important for them:

  • the recommendations of the GRI standards;
  • the results of the monitoring of the notices published about the Group in mass media.

As a result of that, we prepared a list of important topics for the report and selected the topics of the highest importance.

VKG´s and subsidiaries participation in the associations and organisations

  • Vastutustundliku Ettevõtluse Foorum
  • Eesti Keemiatööstuse Liit
  • Eesti Inseneride Liit (EIL)
  • Eesti Tööandjate Keskliit (avaldus saadetud august 2020)
  • Eesti Tööandjate Keskliidu 2% klubi
  • Kaasarääkimine töörühades:
    • Majandusarengu ja maksupoliitika töörühm
    • Tööjõupoliitika töörühm
    • Innovatsiooni töörühm
    • Jätkusuutliku arengu tööruum
    • Tervishoiu töörühm
  • Hoolime ja Vastutame
  • Eesti Suhtekorraldajate Liit (EPRA)
  • UN Nations Global Compact
  • Global Reporting Initiative
  • Eesti Loduskaitse Selts
  • Tuuleenergia Assotsiatsioon (ETEA)
  • Eesti Metsa- ja Puidutööstuse Liit (EMPL)
  • Eesti Sisekoolituse Arendamise Liit
  • Eesti Keskkonnajuhtimise Assotsiatsioon
  • MTÜ Eesti Elektritööstuse Liit (ETL)
  • Eesti Jõujaamade ja Kaugkütte Ühing (EJKÜ)
  • EJKÜ volikogu
  • Eesti Kaubandus-Tööstuskoda
  • Rahvusvaheline Kaubanduskoda (ICC Eesti MTÜ)
  • Põhjamaade elektribörs Nord Pool
  • MTÜ Eesti Mäeselts
  • Eesti Mäetööstuse Ettevõtete Liit (EMTEL)
  • Majandus-ja kommunikatsiooniministeerium Energeetikanõukogu
  • Põlevkivivaldkonna standardimise tehniline komitee - Põlevkivi Kompetentsikeskus
  • Kliimaministeerium – Eesti põlevkivi energeetilise kasutamise parima võimaliku tehnika nõuete ajakohastamise töörühm (PVT järeldused)
  • Kliimaministeerium - põlevkiviõli tootmise parima võimaliku tehnika järelduste ajakohastamise töörühm
  • Eesti Standardikeskuse ekspertide töörühm „Põlevkivi ja põlevkiviproduktide töörühm“
  • Eesti Standardimis- ja Akrediteerimiskeskuse „Ringmajandus“ komitee
  • Ida-Virumaa Kutsehariduskeskus kutsekomisjon
  • Ida-Virumaa Kutsehariduskeskus nõunike kogu
  • Jõhvi Gümnaasiumi hoolekogu
  • Ida-Virumaa Omavalitsuste Liit, Ida-Viru maakonna õiglase ülemineku platvorm
  • Eesti Tööandjate Keskliidu esindaja Ida-Virumaa suunaliste Õiglasest Ülemineku Fondist (ÕÜF) rahastatavate haridus- ja teadusmeetmete juhtkomisjoni tegevuses
  • Eesti Keemiatööstuse Liidu esindajatena Eesti Geoloogiateenistuse projektis „Fosforiidi ja kaasnevate ressursside uuringu II etapp“ nõustavas kogus
  • SA Eesti Kaevandusmuuseumi nõukogu
  • Insenerihariduse valdkonna edendamise juhtnõukogu
  • TA programm „Kohalike ressursside väärindamine – maapõueressursid“ (Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium)

GRI register

The report focuses on topics that have been identified as important for the Group and the stakeholders. The Group relied on the G4 version of the GRI standard in preparing the report.

The organization and its reporting practices

GRI 2-1

Organizational details

About the company Contact and feedback

GRI 2-2

Entities includedin the organization’s sustainability reporting

About the report

GRI 2-3

Reporting period, frequency and contact point

About the report

GRI 2-4

Restatements of information

About the report

GRI 2-5

External assurance

The report is not verified by the external experts

Activities and workers

GRI 2-6

Activities, value chain and other business relationships

About the company Fields of activity

GRI 2-7

Employees

Our people

GRI 2-8

Workers who are not employees

Our people

Governance

GRI 2-9

Governance structure and composition

Management of sustainable development The executive management Structure of the Group

GRI 2-10

Nomination and selection of the highest governance body

The executive management

GRI 2-11

Chair of the highest governance body

The executive management

GRI 2-12

Role of the highest governance body in overseeing the management of impacts

The executive management

GRI 2-15

Conflicts of interest

Code of Ethics Combating the risk of corruption

GRI 2-23

Policy commitments

The Climate Act Regulative framework

GRI 2-24

Embedding policy commitments

Regulative framework

GRI 2-25

Processes to remediate negative impacts

Conducting public discussions

GRI 2-26

Mechanisms for seeking advice and raising concerns

Developing together with the local community Conducting public discussions Cooperation with local communities

GRI 2-28

Membership associations

Appendix

Stakeholder engagement

GRI 2-29

Approach to stakeholder engagement

Cooperation with stakeholders

GRI 2-30

Collective bargaining agreements

Cooperation with trade unions

Management of material topics

GRI 3-1

Process to determine material topics

About the report

GRI 3-2

List of material topics

Main topics of the report

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

Cooperation with trade unions

Environmental

GHG emissions

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1

All the emissions are verified by external assurance

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1.1

Management of material topics

Strategic vision of reducing the impact of industry

GRI 302-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1.2

Energy consumption within the organisation

Production and consumption of energy

GRI 302-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1.3

Energy consumption outside of the organisation

Production and consumption of energy

GRI 302-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1.4

Energy Intensity

Energy efficiency

GRI 302-4

Reduction of energy consumption

Energy efficiency

GRI 305-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1.5

Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

Environmental footprint Environment-related focal areas in 2023

GRI 305-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1.6

Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions

Environmental footprint Environment-related focal areas in 2023

GRI 305-4

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.1.8

GHG emissions intensity

Environmental footprint Air emissions

Climate adaptation, resilience, and transition

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.2

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.2.1

Management of material topics

Our activity management system

GRI 201-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.2.2

Financial implications and other risks and opportunities due to climate change

Strategic market and legal risks

GRI 305-5

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.2.3

Reduction of GHG emissions

Investments into environmental protection, and environmental charges

Air emissions

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.3

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.3.1

Management of material topics

Strategic vision of reducing the impact of industry

GRI 305-7

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.3.2

Nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur oxides (SOX), and other significant air emissions

Air emissions

Biodiversity

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.4

GRI 304-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.4.4

Management of material topics

Research and monitoring of the Ojamaa mine area started even before the opening of the mine - since 2004, surface water and since 2005 groundwater, has been monitored. In addition, since 2007 we monitor the number of capercaillie in the mine areas, and since 2015, the condition of Muraka swamp.

The new capercaillie monitoring methodology plan was developed in 2020 on behalf of the VKG Kaevandused. It was done to evaluate the effect of noise on the behaviour of capercaillie. The methodology plan was approved by Keskkonnaagentuur in 2021. Ojamaa´s capercaillie monitoring (specimen counting) is now carried out within the framework of national monitoring.

In 2021, groundwaters and surface waters monitoring were started in the area of Uus-Kiviõli II mine.

GRI 304-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.4.5

Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations

Animal species of protection category I: Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans), Sonda mining field (currently the company does not operate in this protected area, i.e. no impact)

Vertebrates of protection category II: Tetrao urogallus in the wild, Ojamaa excavation field (a protection zone has been created in the permanent habitat, census monitoring is carried out)

Waste

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.5

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.5.1

Management of material topics

Industrial waste

GRI 306-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.5.2

Waste generation and significant waste-related impacts

Industrial waste and its processing

GRI 306-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.5.3

Management of significant waste-related impacts

Industrial waste and its processing

GRI 306-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.5.4

Waste generated

Generation quantities of the main ordinary waste and its reuse in the Group (tonnes/year)

GRI 306-4

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.5.5

Waste diverted from disposal

Reuse of waste Plastic waste circular economy project

GRI 306-5

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.5.6

Waste directed to disposal

Deposition of waste

Water and effluents

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.6

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.6.1

Management of material topics

Water usage and water emissions

GRI 303-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.6.2

Interactions with water as a shared resource

Water usage

GRI 303-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.6.3

Management of water discharge-related impacts

Water usage

GRI 303-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.6.4

Water withdrawal

Water usage

GRI 303-4

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.6.5

Water discharge

Water emissions

GRI 303-5

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.6.6

Water consumption

Water emissions

Asset integrity and critical incident management

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.8

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.8.1

Management of material topics

Preparedness for the elimination of emergency situations Chemical safety

GRI 306-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.8.2

Significant spills

No significant spill accidents were registered during the reporting period

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.8.3

Preparedness for the elimination of emergency situations Chemical safety

Social

Occupational health and safety

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.1

Management of material topics

Safety first and foremost The Group's priorities in the area of safety Group’s Safety Policy

GRI 403-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.2

Occupational health and safety management system

Safety first and foremost The Group's priorities in the area of safety Group’s Safety Policy

GRI 403-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.3

Hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident investigation

A programme for improving the efficiency of the level of occupational safety

GRI 403-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.4

Occupational health services

Occupational safety exercises

GRI 403-5

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.6

Worker training on occupational health and safety

Occupational safety exercises

GRI 403-6

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.7

Promotion of worker health

Hear the voice of employees, or a system of working environment representatives Safety and Health Month

GRI 403-8

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.9

Workers covered by an occupational health and system

Occupational safety exercises

GRI 403-9

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.10

Work-related injuries

Statistics for 2022 and 2023

GRI 403-10

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.9.11

Work-related ill health

Statistics for 2022 and 2023

Employment practices

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10.1

Management of material topics

Our people

GRI 401-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10.2

New employee hires and employee turnover

About our employees

GRI 401-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10.3

Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees

Part-time and full-time employees have the same benefits, though these may vary based on subsidiary regulations.

GRI 401-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10.4

Parental leave

Personnel policy (internal document, EST only)

GRI 402-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10.5

Minimum notice periods regarding operational changes

Personnel policy (internal document, EST only). Not reported. We seek to conduct the job reductions process in accordance with our core values of honesty, integrity and respect for people.

GRI 404-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10.6

Average hour of training per year per employee

Development of our people We report the total number of formal training days for employees

GRI 404-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.10.7

Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition assistance programs

Development of our people

Non-discrimination and equal opportunity

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.11

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.11.1

Management of material topics

Code of Ethics

Personnel policy (internal document, EST only)

GRI 405-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.11.6

Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men

Gross salary

GRI 406-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.11.7

Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken

During the reporting period 3 appeals were received, that's all related to verbal abuse between colleagues. The parties were dealt with conversations leading to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Forced labour and modern slavery

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.12

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.12.1

Management of material topics

Compliance with human rights

Freedom of association and collective bargaining

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.13

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.13.1

Management of material topics

Our people Cooperation with trade union

Economic impacts

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.14

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.14.1

Management of material topics

Economic environment and main economic results

GRI 201-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.14.2

Direct economic value generated and distributed

The Group’s economic results and key indicators Tax burden

GRI 203-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.14.4

Infrastructure investments and services supported

Investments

Local communities

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.15

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.15.1

Management of material topics

Cooperation with local communities

GRI 413-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.15.2

Operations with local community engagement, impact assessments, and development programs

Mechanisms of cooperation with stakeholder groups Developing together with the local community Conducting public discussion A reliable partner in promoting local life

GRI 413-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.15.3

Operations with significant actual and potential negative impacts on local communities

Conducting public discussions

Conflict and security

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.18

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.18.1

Management of material topics

Compliance with human rights Supply chain management

GRI 410-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.18.2

Security personnel trained in human rights policies or procedures

Compliance with human rights

Anti-competitive behaviour

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.19

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.19.1

Management of material topics

Prevention of possible conflicts of interest Risk management Code of ethics (EST only)

GRI 206-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.19.2

Legal actions for anti-competitive behaviour, anti- trust, and monopoly practices

Prevention of possible conflicts of interest Code of ethics (EST only)

Anti-corruption

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.20

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.20.1

Management of material topics

Combating the risk of corruption Code of ethics (EST only)

GRI 205-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.20.2

Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

Combating the risk of corruption Code of ethics (EST only)

GRI 205-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.20.3

Communication and training about anti- corruption policies and procedures

Combating the risk of corruption Code of ethics (EST only)

GRI 205-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.20.4

Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

We practise the zero tolerance to the corruption on all the levels of management. During the reporting period there were no registered incidents if corruption.

Payments to governments

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.21

GRI 3-3

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.21.1

Management of material topics

Economic environment and main economic results

GRI 201-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.21.2

Direct economic value generated and distributed

Economic environment

GRI 201-4

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.21.3

Financial assistance received from government

In 2022 VKG and Kiviõli Keemiatööstus started to work on a joint project to use the existing shale oil production technology to process plastic waste into oil and gas. The implementation of the project was supported by the resources of the European Regional Development Fund via Enterprise Estonia with a grant of 280,600 euros. VKG part of the grant was 131 663 euros. In 2023, VKG stepped out from a joint project and began to develop the plastic waste pyrolysis project by themselves.

GRI 207-1

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.21.4

Approach to Tax

Tax burden

GRI 207-2

Oil and Gas Sector Standard 11.21.5

Tax governance, control and risk management

Risk management