euNetworks has introduced two new environmental performance targets within its €1.26 billion ($1.46bn) Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL). 

According to the European fiber firm, the revised framework introduces Network Development ‘Impact by Design’ Plans, which embed sustainability considerations into the earliest stages of major network development projects, along with a target focused on continuous improvement in euNetworks' GRESB infrastructure benchmark score.

euNetworks notes that the existing gender diversity target remains unchanged and will "complement" rather than replace those targets.

The company said it will still work towards its existing sustainability commitments, which include its goal of being Net Zero by 2040, a supplier engagement program, and investment in carbon measurement tools.

euNetworks signed an initial SSL loan of €760 million ($882m) in 2021 to support the expansion of its fiber network infrastructure across Europe. This funding was refinanced and expanded in 2024 to €1.26bn ($1.46bn), backed by a syndicate of infrastructure-focused lenders.

euNetworks notes that the new targets are "designed to focus on the areas where euNetworks has the most influence and can create the greatest long-term impact."

Combined, these SLL targets and existing commitments will look to encourage practical actions that influence both suppliers and customers while improving transparency and decision-making across the value chain.

“Our new SLL targets mark an important step in euNetworks’ commitment to growing our business sustainably, focusing our efforts on the areas where we can deliver the greatest impact," said Marisa Trisolino, CEO of euNetworks.

"The introduction of our NetDev Impact by Design Plans represents a significant evolution in how we approach major network development projects, embedding sustainability considerations from the very beginning of the design and planning process. This is complemented by our GRESB score improvement target, which provides a rigorous measure of ESG performance for organizations delivering infrastructure-led growth. Together, these targets will help us drive meaningful emissions reductions across euNetworks, for our customers and for our wider supply chain.”

Elaborating a bit further, euNetworks stated that its Network Development ‘Impact by Design’ Plans target will apply to major network development projects that require significant construction of new network infrastructure. Such projects amount to a large proportion of euNetworks' annual capital investment and approximately two-thirds of the company's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions currently. 

This target aims to reduce the environmental impact of these major projects, and will see the company work with construction partners in the design stage to evaluate lower-carbon materials,

euNetworks adds that its target around GRESB will "allow euNetworks to align its governance, environmental management and operational performance to an internationally recognized benchmark that relates specifically to infrastructure."