Ahold Delhaize publishes its second Green Bond Report
Zaandam, the Netherlands, April 24, 2025 – Ahold Delhaize today publishes its second annual Green Bond Allocation and Impact Report which provides details on the use of proceeds and related environmental impact of the Green Bond issued in March 2024.
The implementation of Ahold Delhaize’s transition plan to reduce emissions requires significant investments in clean, low-emissions and zero-emissions technologies. Part of the proceeds of our green finance instruments are used to invest in the actions mentioned in this transition plan.
2024 allocation and impact
Ahold Delhaize raised €500 million in March 2024 by issuing its second Green Bond under its Green Finance Framework. The largest portion of the Green Bond proceeds were allocated to the Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency categories. Throughout 2024, the bond proceeds have allowed to add 30 new buildings in Europe with EPC Label A or higher. Dutch local brand Albert Heijn also converted 20 stores to gas-free stores, increasing its share of gas-free supermarkets to 97%.
We are implementing energy efficiency measures across all our local brands. Examples include the installation of heat pump systems and other heat recovery technologies, installation and replacement of air-conditioning systems, LED lighting and energy efficient doors on refrigerated cases in stores and distribution centers. Additionally, further progress was made in the replacement of refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential alternatives and in minimizing refrigeration leakages.
Green project portfolio
On December 29th, 2024, Ahold Delhaize had a total eligible Green project portfolio of €864 million, to which proceeds of two Green Bonds issued in 2023 and 2024 were allocated. 100% of the portfolio was allocated to two Green Bonds issued in 2023 and 2024. The net proceeds of the €500 million bond issued in April 2023 were fully allocated with the eligible expenditures of 2022 and 2023. Out of the net proceeds of the €500 million bond issued in March 2024, €80 million, or 16%, were allocated to refinance existing projects with expenditures in 2023, and €284 million, or 57% of the portfolio, were allocated to finance new projects with expenditures in 2024.
Sustainalytics, an independent provider of ESG research and ratings, delivered a second-party opinion on the Framework. The bonds issued in 2023 carry a coupon of 3.50% and mature on April 4th, 2028. The bonds issued in 2024 carry a coupon of 3.375% and mature on March 11th, 2031. The subsequent Green Bond Allocation and Impact Report, and the second-party opinion, are available for viewing on Ahold Delhaize's website. KPMG Accountants N.V. provided Limited Assurance on the Allocation Report.
This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by certain words, such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (the “Company”) to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a material difference include, but are not limited to, the factors affecting the Company's business set forth in the Company’s public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company’s management and assumptions based on information currently available to the Company’s management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.