Last Refreshed: 5/6/2024 6:13:15 PM

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Press release

Ahold Delhaize fully allocates its proceeds from the 2023 Green Bond, enabling further reduction of its climate impact

Zaandam, the Netherlands, April 26, 2024 – Ahold Delhaize today announces that it has allocated the full proceeds of the company's first Green Bond to investments in Green Projects that further reduce the company's Greenhouse Gas emissions and climate impact.

Ahold Delhaize raised €500 million in April last year by issuing a Green Bond under its updated Green Finance Framework. We allocated the largest portion of the proceeds to the Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency categories. Throughout 2022 and 2023, our bond proceeds have allowed to add 6 distribution centers and 51 stores to our building portfolio with EPC Label A. For example, Albert Heijn’s newest, state-of-the-art Home Shop Center has a fully gas-free infrastructure, more than 5,400 solar panels and energy efficient solutions.

We are implementing energy efficiency measures across all our local brands. Examples of earmarked projects include the installation of heat pump systems, LED lighting and energy efficient doors on refrigerated cases in our stores and distribution centers, and the replacement of refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential alternatives.

“Building on the success of our first Sustainability Bond issuance in 2019 and our 2021 Sustainability-Linked Bond issuance, our inaugural Green Bond reinforced our commitment to sustainable finance. It aligns with Ahold Delhaize’s Healthy & Sustainable strategy and funds our climate transition,” said Miguel Silva Gonzalez, Senior Vice President & Treasurer at Ahold Delhaize. 

On December 31st, 2023, Ahold Delhaize had a total eligible Green project portfolio of €580 million. We allocated 86% of the portfolio to the €500 million Green Bond proceeds. Out of the portfolio, €198 million, or 34%, refinanced existing projects with expenditures incurred in 2022. Additionally, €383 million, or 66% of the portfolio, were used to finance new projects with expenditures incurred in 2023.

Sustainalytics, an independent provider of ESG research and ratings, delivered a second-party opinion on the Framework. The bonds carry a coupon of 3.50% and mature on April 4th, 2028. 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.

Last Refreshed: 5/6/2024 6:13:15 PM

Cautionary notice

This communication includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as further, commitment, accelerate, maturing, 2028, support, transition, future, optimistic, potential or other similar words or expressions are typically used to identify forward-looking statements.

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. Such factors include, but are not limited to the risk factors 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.

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