Sustainability policy

This Sustainability Policy is the directive on environmental, social and governance issues for UAB “Prosperitas Baltica”.

The Company has approved this set, which was last updated on 22 May 2023.

1. Environmental area

The CUP contributes to the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement by committing to a net reduction of CO2 emissions to zero by 2050.

1.1 GHG emissions and energy efficiency

Although the CUP has no direct production activities, the CUP is committed to monitoring and reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to mitigate its environmental impact.

The CUP has concluded contracts with green electricity suppliers to buy and use 100% green electricity. The CUP also maintains and replaces lighting sources with economical ones, thereby reducing electricity consumption.

Although by the nature of its activities the CUP does not control its own indirect emissions (contracts are concluded with lessees), the CUP assesses the direction of its lessees and partners in terms of emission reductions. The major lessees and partners have policies in place to reduce GHG emissions (e.g. using electricity from their own solar parks, converting delivery vehicles to electric vehicles, using recycled materials to package their products).

The CUP's Strategic Plan for Reducing GHG Emissions includes the following targets:

1.2 Efficient resource management and waste reduction

All the CUP employees, lessees, partners and suppliers are encouraged to minimise their environmental impact and use only the necessary tools and resources, and to avoid excess plastic consumption.

The CUP aims to make efficient use of resources by moving away from paper documents and introducing an electronic management system.

The CUP is equipped with waste sorting containers and containers for used batteries, which are available to all interested parties.

1.3 Sustainable mobility

The CUP is located in the central part of Vilnius and supports the Vilnius City Sustainable Mobility Plan. Employees, lessees, partners and customers are encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot and use electric cars to get to the shopping centre.

The CUP has designated bicycle storage areas and plans to install charging stations for electric cars.

2. Social area

The CUP recognises and carefully manages social impact throughout its value chain. In its day-to-day work and relations with employees, the CUP is guided by the Labour Code in force in the Republic of Lithuania and is committed to a values-based organisational culture, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for employees at work.

Equality and inclusion, employee and community involvement, as well as donations, are a priority for the CUP and have a major impact on the sustainability of the company. The CUP strictly complies with the legislation of the Republic of Lithuania on health and safety of employees and the protection of fundamental human rights.

2.1 Equality and inclusion

The CUP ensures equal opportunities and diversity for its employees and does not tolerate any direct or indirect discrimination.

The CUP strives to make employees feel safe, motivated and respected not only by the company's management, but also by its customers, regardless of their gender, education, skin colour, economic status, disability, religious beliefs, age or sexual orientation.

2.2 Employee involvement

Engaged and dedicated staff is one of the CUP's key priorities. The CUP supports the well-being of its employees and strives to ensure a good work-life balance. The company regularly measures the employees’ engagement through surveys. The CUP encourages feedback, so the employees and their managers are encouraged to have monthly or quarterly meetings to discuss various issues and receive feedback.

To increase the employees’ engagement, the CUP offers a package of fringe benefits that includes health insurance, teleworking on demand and employee training. The CUP encourages the employees to improve their skills and competences through various training programmes. Employee celebrations or outings are also organised to strengthen the bond.

2.3 Public involvement (including support)

As the Shopping Centre, the CUP assesses its impact on society – the customers and local communities potentially affected by the activities of the Shopping Centre. In order to support local communities, the CUP regularly makes donations to various non-profit organisations.

The CUP aims to comprehensively improve the customer experience and to bring the shopping centre community together. To achieve this goal, the CUP has community spaces, periodic customer surveys, and a prompt response to customer complaints and requests (via email, phone and social media).

3. Governance area

The CUP aims to ensure reliable and transparent corporate governance and value creation for all interested parties. The company is committed to ensuring that good governance practices are followed internally, to comply with all LR requirements and to not tolerate corruption. The CUP strives to build sustainable partnerships with customers and suppliers based on transparency and complies with all data protection requirements.

3.1 Good governance practices (including compliance and anti-corruption)

The company is committed to transparency, integrity and human values in process management and expects the same from its customers and suppliers. The CUP applies good governance practices and strives to uphold the highest ethical standards in all areas of the CUP's activities.

The CUP does not tolerate any form of corruption, regardless of its manifestation. Any employee, who commits an act of corruption, regardless of his/her position, function or profit to the company, shall be liable for it in accordance with the procedure established by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania. The company seeks the trust, transparency and good reputation of its business partners, customers and employees and therefore does not tolerate any form of corruption that may adversely affect or damage the company's reputation.

3.2 Partnership with customers and suppliers

The CUP is committed to building long-lasting partnerships with customers and suppliers based on transparency and trust. The CUP's choice of partners and suppliers is based on their public reputation, their financial credibility and the impact they have on society and the environment. Additional criteria related to sustainability are planned for future selections.

The CUP encourages feedback (complaints and suggestions for improvement) and presents staff with clear decision-making procedures, which are set out in the rules of procedure and other internal policies.

3.3 Data protection

When processing customer data, the CUP complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as with the requirements for the processing of personal data set out in other legal acts. Data protection regulations are defined in the company's Privacy Policy.

4. Means to implement ESG principles

4.1 Implementation means

In line with the principles of this policy, important environmental, social and governance themes are identified and integrated into the CUP's overall business plan.

The CUP commits to regularly monitor and manage the environmental and social impacts of its activities, taking into account the interested parties’ expectations and the latest available scientific information.

4.2 Responsible persons

Anonymous reports about possible violations of the Sustainability Policy can be made by e-mail at info@cup.lt.

The CUP takes all measures to protect whistle-blowers from any negative consequences: the email address provided may only be used by a designated responsible person, who undertakes not to disclose the identity of the whistle-blower to any other employee or other third party.

All reports about possible violations of the Policy must be dealt with appropriately by persons designated by the Shopping Centre CUP.

5. Final provisions

• The policy shall be approved and amended by a decision of the CUP manager.
• A responsible person appointed by the CUP shall be responsible for reviewing the Policy annually and updating it as necessary.
• Each CUP employee is responsible for ensuring compliance with the sustainability principles reflected in the CUP Group Sustainability Policy.
• The designated CUP employees are responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this policy.
• All CUP employees must be familiarized with this Policy and must apply the principles of this Policy in their work.
• The policy must be made publicly available on the CUP website.
• The policy shall be applied to the extent that it is consistent with the EU law and/or other legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania that have entered into force.