Supporting biodiversity Supporting biodiversity is an important topic in the context of sustainability, and at PENNY we are constantly striving to help protect species and habitats in the areas where we operate. Thus, through our landscape plantings, we aim to increase wildlife, including butterflies and insects, which help pollinate, as well as squirrels, field mice, rabbits, and various species of birds. We have an ongoing project to redevelop all green spaces within our sites, with the objective of remodeling all green spaces 100% by 2025. Thus, at the end of 2023, we landscaped 101 771 sqm of the total 351 656 sqm of green space managed by PENNY Romania. As the landscaped areas are established, they will also contribute to air quality. We also invest in plants and landscaping that are resistant to water and heat stress, which require low water consumption. Total area of green spaces 351 656 mp Landscaped area in 2022 79 429 mp Landscaped area in 2023 101 771 mp For new stores, we implement innovative solutions, such as green roofs, which have a positive impact on biodiversity by attracting living things. We use native species or locally adapted non-native species to protect ecosystems from the risk of contamination by invasive species. Green walls Living green walls are a functional component of sustainable buildings, which bring a series of benefits such as: improved air quality, reduced energy costs, reduced noise levels on the site and in the surrounding area, having the property of natural acoustic filter. These characteristics, together with the ecological and sustainable image they convey, multiply the value of a living wall that we have installed in the two stores in: z Oradea – non-climbing plants z Otopeni – climbing plants rooted in the ground and grown directly on the store's facade Green roofs Extended green roofs are lightweight and are designed to require little maintenance. They are built in layers on top of the existing roof structure, with substrate depths ranging from 30 mm to 150 mm. Among the main benefits of installing green roofs are supporting biodiversity by providing a favorable space for different types of fauna including insects, thermal insulation for the building and reducing the heat island effect in the surrounding area, reducing rainwater runoff rates. We intend to expand the network of green roofs for our sites, and at the end of 2023 six of our stores will be equipped with such roofs: z Four stores in Slovakia county. Constanța in the localities: Constanța, Agigea, Mangalia, Valu lui Traian, Kogălniceanu z A store in Otopeni, Ilfov county In 2022 we tested a series of facilities that can be implemented in our sites to support the protection of biodiversity and local habitats: z Biodiversity kit: we have designed an assembly that aims to fulfill the functions of a room for insects, boxes and bricks for bats and birds. This kit has been installed in three of our locations and we are looking to expand to all PENNY stores in Romania. These structures will allow the protection of flying species by ensuring an optimal nesting space. z Seagull nest: Constanța z Infiltration devices: we use water retention basins to ensure irrigation and infiltration basins where the soil allows it and where there is no possibility of connection to a sewerage system. By using these techniques, we ensure the reduction of negative impacts on soil biodiversity. SUSTAINABILITY REPORT PENNY ROMANIA 2023 164/256 MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL DIRECTORS SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY AND GOVERNANCE ABOUT US AND OUR VALUE CHAIN ABOUT THE REPORT THE FUTURE IS MADE TODAY SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONES CONTENTS
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