-
3-3
-
2-23
-
2-24
-
SBM-3
-
E1-2
-
E5-2
The PZU Group monitors the consumption of resources (energy, fuel, water, paper) and takes efforts to curtail their consumption. One of the commitments in the ESG Strategy is achieving climate neutrality in our own business by 2024. PZU is implementing the commitment to buy the bulk of its energy from renewable sources, curtail other emissions, and whenever that is not possible offset them.
At PZU, the Management Board Environmental Protection Plenipotentiary is responsible for reduction of the direct environmental footprint of the PZU Group and ensuring compliance with prevailing provisions of law.
The key regulations in this area are the PZU Group’s Environmental Policy, PZU Green Standard, “Balanced Growth” ESG Strategy
Environmental Policy
The key document regarding environmental impact is the PZU Group’s Environmental Policy adopted in 2021 which provides for the framework of management over the impact that the companies’ operations have on the natural environment. The aim of the Environmental Policy in the PZU Group is to manage the environmental footprint of its activity effectively by minimization of the direct impact on the environment and climate and minimization of the indirect impact on the environment and climate in connection with the offered products and services. The document provides for relations with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, business partners and suppliers. The policy was created taking into account the assumptions of key documents, including: Paris Agreement, National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 and Energy Policy of Poland until 2040. The implementation of the Policy is monitored in accordance with the reporting principles of the ESG Strategy „Balanced Growth.” The Policy was adopted under relevant resolutions by the Management Boards of the PZU Group companies. In 2023, the Environmental Policy was updated, and the Management Board Environmental Protection Plenipotentiary oversees its implementation.
„Green PZU” Standard
Additionally, the PZU Group’s Green PZU Standard has been in operation since 2018. It was rolled out to ensure legal and more complete care for reducing the adverse environmental impact in direct business. The PZU Group’s environmental standard defines the key assumptions pertaining to its governance approach to environmental issues. This document refers to the principles of sustainable development, adhering to the level of environmental protection, applying the principle of prudence and prediction of the possible adverse impacts of actions and partnership – the requirement for all PZU Group entities to take joint environmental protection actions.
Implementing suitable procedures and governance systems allows the PZU Group to meet all the environmental formal and legal requirements.
All of the international insurance companies have also implemented the PZU Group’s Green PZU Standard, thereby taking into consideration the public interests and aspects related to environmental protection in their action strategies. They also have formalized environmental protection policies describing environmental protection principles and defining the framework within which each one of the companies is required to adhere to these principles and thus achieve the intended objectives. They have also rolled out their policy pertaining to the PZU Group’s sustainable development.
ISO 14001 Standard
The system was also introduced in medical centers of the PZU Zdrowie POLMEDIC Radom branch. Additionally, selected subsidiaries and branches of PZU Zdrowie implemented and certified their Quality Governance System ISO 9001:2015. They also have in place a waste management procedure which defines, in particular, the rules for dealing with hazardous medical waste in all medical centers.
Armatura Kraków has adopted a comprehensive “Quality Policy” which covers, among other issues, the principles for reducing the company’s adverse environmental impact. KFA Armatura’s Strategy in 2021–2025 includes environmental objectives. Activities supporting their execution include, among others, investments in a photovoltaic farm and implementing innovating and ergonomic product solutions, such as already implemented tap with the water filtration function and the launched R&D project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under Measure 1.1 “R&D projects of enterprises”, Submeasure 1.1.1 “Industrial research and development work implemented by enterprises” of the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020. The Project is implemented in the framework of the competition held by the National Center for Research and Development 1/1.1.1/2021 POIR Quick Path for developing an innovative and energy-efficient heater.
In 2023, the Company installed a new extraction and filtration system with a dust collection system in the radiator machining department. The new unit has stateof-the-art filtration and safety features for aluminum processing operations. The filtration level is respectively:
- for particles of 0.5 microns: 99.999%;
- for particles of 0.3 microns: 99.997%
The replaced system filtered at 98.5%. This change will significantly reduce the amount of dust emitted into the atmosphere. The system also has a flameless FLEX-type explosion release device, which provides a very high level of safety for people and property.
The title of “Sustainable Production Leader” earned in 2023 shows that the initiatives carried out have been recognized by an external panel of experts at the Sustainable Economy Summit and the Sustainable Economy Diamonds 2023 competition.
In addition to the adoption of various documents, the Group also makes efforts to minimize adverse environmental impact in its day-to-day business.
Direct environmental footprint of the Group:
Ecological plan at PZU and PZU Życie
- curtailing the consumption of utilities;
- conducting rational waste management;
- installing air conditioning with an ecological refrigerant;
- preferring environmental and social aspects when choosing space for rent.
- curtailing the consumption of office supplies and equipment;
- reducing the volume of hard-copy documentation;
- recycling of used assets;
- collaboration in the area of asset disposal with companies that have adopted the highest environmental protection standards;
- environmentally friendly activities in the car fleet management policy;
- conducting rational waste management;
- changing the way drinking water is distributed;
- running educational campaigns among employees in terms of pro-environmental behaviors.
The program is a form of an environmental management system providing for the regular deployment of environmentally friendly solutions to the PZU Group’s operations.
-
307-1
Penalties for breaches of environmental laws
In 2023, the PZU/PZU Życie recorded no breaches of any environmental laws or regulations and incurred no environmental penalties