STATEMENT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE CEO ON SUSTAINABILITY 2021 AND BEYOND As a leading real estate partner for the logistics real estate sector, WDP is well aware of its social responsibility. Which is why sustainable business has been central to WDP’s strategy for years. Sustainable value creation is part of the DNA of our company and this is reflected in the WDP value pillars: Future logistics, Sustainable growth, Vitally engaged, and Impact by responsibility guide our day-to-day operations where ESG policy is fully integrated into all operating activities. So, it goes without saying that each employee is assigned both operational and ESG objectives. To ensure decisiveness, ownership, awareness, and cross-cutting collaboration within #TeamWDP and the entire organisation, the formal decision-making process on ESG was expanded and further formalised by the installation of the ESG team as the central link between #TeamWDP and the Management Committee and Board of Directors. The ESG team is also responsible for structuring and supporting the ESG task forces. A dedicated ESG committee within the Board of Directors is the link between the ESG team and the Board of Directors that formally approves and, if necessary, revises the WDP ESG policy. Environmental | Paris, Glasgow, and the EU Green Deal: sustainability is the driving force of our future. Fifteen years after the launch of our solar panel programme, WDP announced its Climate Action Plan M.A.D.E. for FUTURE in early 2022 that defines our path towards net-zero by 2050. It is clearly aligned with the 1.5°C scenario and the ambitious goals of the EU Green Deal. We strive for maximum impact with all our stakeholders. Which is why we do not limit our objectives to just our business operations, but strive to decarbonise our complete property portfolio – WDP’s core product – over its entire life cycle. This Climate Action Plan is fully integrated into the new strategic Growth Plan 2022-25 and includes objectives within three tracks: WDP ENERGY focuses on energy efficiency and the production of renewable energy. WDP DECARB+ strives to achieve CO2 reduction with attention to biodiversity. And WDP GREEN must guarantee a sustainable and future-proof WDP with permanent easy access to (green) capital. For example, the WDP Green Finance Framework was recently updated. The Climate Action Plan strives to implement the Task force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) by 2024. WDP uses an environmental management system that is aligned with the principles of the international standard ISO 14001.
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Social | Clearly, WDP is actively committed to the welfare, safety, and development of its employees. And we also strive to ensure that our activities have a positive impact on the immediate surroundings and local communities. The corporate citizenship strategy #WeMakeADifference strives to achieve a long-term impact for social initiatives, customers, students, and young staff within the logistics property market. Besides a training programme for #TeamWDP, we are committed to supporting training programmes that align with our activities. We annually measure our staff satisfaction and contribute financially and materially to the less fortunate members of our society. #TeamWDP is growing in number year after year. And, in 2022, we will make the leap towards a company with more than 100 employees. This creates new challenges in terms of cooperation, ownership, and intrapreneurship that will be met through our +100 track. Governance | The importance of stakeholder engagement was highlighted in 2021 by the WDP Supplier Code of Conduct. This code defines the principles that WDP expects its suppliers to observe: respect for human rights, fair and proper working conditions, health and safety, environment, and ethical conduct. These topics are already covered in the WDP Employee Code of Conduct. In this context, the necessary due diligence procedures will be implemented in the future to ensure the continued strength and reliability of the supply chain. WDP's commitments to human rights were formally laid down in the WDP Human rights policy with the approval of the Board of Directors. The ESG targets we envisage, contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We see our efforts reflected in various benchmarks: besides the Gold-rating for the EPRA sBPR reporting, WDP joined the DJSI Europe Index in 2021. The ratings scores for MSCI ESG (A) and ISS ESG (Not Prime C-) also increased. In 2022, WDP will participate in CDP (a disclosure system on environmental impact) for the first time. Our net-zero ambitions can also count on recognition by the SBTi. Sustainability is integral to our growth story. It is inherent in our activities and strategy. Sustainability stands for the future-proofing of our company and the resilience of our planet.
Rik Vandenberghe Chairman of ESG Committee within the Board of Directors
Joost Uwents CEO of WDP
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