EU taxonomy on sustainable activities
Since 2021, the EU Taxonomy on Sustainable Economic Activities applies to PostNL, which includes mandatory disclosures in the Report of the Board of Management. The EU Taxonomy is the EU's dictionary of sustainable economic activities designed to promote transparency, counter greenwashing, and drive the shift of capital towards a future sustainable economy. In this chapter, PostNL provides the mandatory disclosures required.
The Taxonomy is a classification system for companies to disclose the extent to which business activities are covered by and aligned with specific sustainability criteria. The main objectives of the EU taxonomy are to provide a reference framework aimed at orienting financial and business investment strategies towards sustainable activities and to accelerate the green and sustainable transition of economic players. Reaching these objectives is essential to meet the European Union (EU) ambition of becoming climate neutral by 2050.
The EU Taxonomy prescribes quantitative and qualitative reporting on predefined key performance indicators (KPIs). On the following pages we present the share of PostNL’s consolidated total operating revenue and capital expenditure (capex) for the reporting period 2023.
Identification of economic activities
An economic activity is considered Taxonomy eligible if it is described in the Taxonomy Delegated Acts, irrespective of whether that activity meets any or all of the technical screening criteria laid down in the Delegated Acts.
An economic activity is considered Taxonomy aligned when the activity contributes substantially to one of the six environmental objectives, Do No Significant Harm to the other five objectives in accordance with the do no significant harm (DNSH) criteria, and complies with Minimum Safeguards.
Assessment of technical screening criteria
In 2021 and 2022, the technical screening criteria for substantial contribution was specified by the EU for environmental objectives:
- Climate change mitigation (CCM)
- Climate change adaptation (CCA)
These criteria relate to how an economic activity can contribute substantially to one or more of the environmental objectives, in combination with criteria for doing no significant harm to the other environmental objectives. PostNL has analysed the technical screening criteria for the additional activities for the first two environmental objectives. No new activities have been identified for PostNL.
On 27 June 2023, the European Commission adopted final delegated acts supporting the Taxonomy Regulation for the other four environmental objectives:
- Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources
- Transition to a circular economy
- Pollution prevention and control
- Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.
The related reporting obligations will apply for annual reporting periods as of 2023. For the four new environmental objectives, only eligibility is mandatory. PostNL has analysed the technical screening criteria and related reporting obligations for the new activities pursuing these remaining four environmental objectives. No new activities have been identified for PostNL.
Minimum safeguards
PostNL has assessed its compliance on the minimum social safeguards the EU Taxonomy requires in relation to human rights, anti-bribery, fair competition and taxation matters. PostNL has included relevant aspects of business conduct in relation to these topics in formal policies and procedures as part of our business conduct and integrity programme. The assessment provided PostNL a sufficient basis to conclude that the company met the minimum social safeguards criteria. More details about business conduct and integrity in general can be found in the chapter 'Ethics and compliance'.