The process to identify IROs started with our CSRD workforce reviewing all the sustainability matters in ESRS-1, Appendix A. Impacts were described and assessed in a tool including the entire gross list where materiality of each matter is determined by its positive or negative nature, actual or potential impact (most topics were actual) and the severity and likelihood of impact. The topics were listed to be assessed on a sub-sub-topic level.

Negative impacts are prioritised based on severity (considering scale, scope and irremediability) and likelihood. Positive impacts are prioritised based on scale, scope, and likelihood. Our impact threshold honours the principles: Inclusion of all impacts with "critical" severity and severity taking precedence over likelihood – all within timeframes consistent with the ESRS. This is the process to assess and prioritise impacts supported by a quantitative scoring methodology.

Examples of core activities in our upstream value chain are related to extraction of raw materials, refineries, smelters, components assembly and transport. Activities in our operations relate to project development, construction, manufacturing and service. Our downstream value chain mostly comprises activities in our customers’ scope, decommissioning and end-of-life solutions.

As demand for renewable energy is increasing, it also means that our value chain will scale significantly. It is therefore important that we address the risks that come with scaling and the heightened adverse effects across the value chain that come with growth. After assessing specific activities, business relationships, geographies, and other factors, the topics of climate change, circularity, biodiversity, human rights and health and safety have been found to represent overarching adverse impacts across our value chain and these are addressed in our current sustainability strategy and mitigation measures.

We have, however, found that more work is needed to assess our ability to influence biodiversity downstream. In addition, it is necessary to continuously manage risks when moving into new geographies and involving new business relationships.

The main assessment of our impact on people is informed by our Corporate-Wide Human Rights Assessment (CW-HRA), a high-level due diligence process to identify and assess negative human rights risks and impacts across our entire value chain.

Our CW-HRA involves consultations with external experts representing relevant rightsholders such as indigenous peoples, workers, affected communities, Vestas’ senior management and internal subject matter experts, to ensure we understand how affected stakeholders are impacted and that we adhere to local as well as international expectations. For more information about our CW-HRA see page 120.

The main assessment of our impact on the environment is informed by a global environmental mapping, which outlines the primary environmental risks across our business areas, and the processes and mitigating measures in place to manage them. The environmental due diligence mapping covers areas such as pollution prevention, energy efficiency, GHG emissions, biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, and cumulative impacts. See the section Additional Information for our Statement on Due Diligence, page 211.

The social and governance specific assessments have been supported by materials such as our CW-HRA and social due diligence process, Vestas’ Employee Engagement Survey, our incident management system, EthicsLine cases, supplier assessments, audits, assessments of lobbying activities, rating platforms (DJSI, CDP and EcoVadis) and consolidated ESG data.