ABBREVIATED ANNUAL REPORT ESG 2023
Download the reportIntroduction
Andrzej J. Kozłowski
President of the Management Board, CEO
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The year 2023 was marked by uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine and the uncertain prospects for global economic development. In Poland, we experienced parliamentary elections and an intense election campaign. The high turnout and significant mobilization, especially among young voters, were extremely positive surprises, reflecting well on our society.
For Emitel, 2023 was a period of intense work, continuing strategic projects that supported the company’s development and created value for shareholders. However, we did not forget about social engagement, which is part of our business DNA and a priority in the strategy of our owner, Cordiant Digital. Our goals have not changed – we still aim to help combat exclusion, equalize opportunities and support the development of an inclusive society. I am proud to present to you our most important actions in this area.
ESG Policy at Emitel
Our approach to management in environmental, social and governance aspects is defined by the ESG Policy (Environment, Society, Governance) adopted for the years 2021-2025. Among the most important priorities are care for the landscape, biodiversity and habitat protection, improving energy efficiency, minimizing impact on the environment, sustainable waste management and interpersonal relations.
ESG Indicators 20255
Attached to the Emitel ESG Policy is a matrix that describes the strategic directions, main initiatives and KPI indicators to be achieved, along with the assignment of individuals responsible for their implementation.
The implementation of specific actions and the achievement of indicators are monitored on a quarterly basis.
Strategic Directions of the ESG Policy:
1
Care for the landscape, biodiversity and habitat protection - we aim to reduce the impact of our technical infrastructure on natural habitats.
2
Improving energy efficiency – we want the devices we use to be modern and environmentally friendly.
3
Minimizing the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the environment – we ensure that electromagnetic fields, as carriers of radio and television programmes or data, are safe.
4
Waste and wastewater management – we focus on minimizing the nuisance associated with the generation of waste resulting from the operation of broadcasting facilities, technical equipment and office spaces.
5
Attention to interpersonal relations – we prioritise safety, health, self-esteem, atmosphere and engagement at work.
We keep a finger
on the pulse
Strong leadership underpins growth, builds investor confidence and creates value for stakeholders.
An example of a 2023 investment was the acquisition of a subsidiary of American Tower Corporation in Poland (ATC Polska), which increased Emitel’s total tower portfolio to 667 and thus strengthened Emitel’s position in the telecommunications infrastructure segment.
We build trust upon safety and risk management
We have a certified Integrated Management System,
which consists of a business continuity management system and an information security management system that complies with the requirements of ISO 22301:2019 and ISO/IEC 27001:2013. To manage operations even more effectively and efficiently, we re-certified our business continuity management system in 2023 based on the requirements of ISO 22301: 2019. We also hold Service Provider Trusted Partner Network status.
We respect ethical principles
We make every effort to ensure that our employees adhere to ethical business conduct and act responsibly in line with Emitel’s values and Code of Conduct and Ethics.
Our values are:
•
Positive energy and enthusiasm in action
•
Seeking simple solutions
•
A sense of urgency
•
A need for development and curiosity about the world
Business model
and value creation
As a key player in the telecommunications infrastructure market in Poland, we invest in innovative, proven technologies, increase infrastructural resources and strengthen the company’s resilience to risks. We are systematically developing new areas of activity, while taking care of the quality and stability of the existing services offered.
Maciej Pilipczuk,
Member of the Management Board, Chief Financial Officer
“Emitel’s financing strategy is to allocate funds for the further development of the company. The agreement signed within the framework of the consortium has given us the space to successfully conduct our business in the following years. This would not have been possible without the confidence of these financial institutions in Emitel and a positive assessment of the strategy and development plans in a long-term perspective reaching beyond the current decade."
Key business events in 2023
#1
New contract with TVP for MUX-6 signal transmission services
#2
Agreement with a bank consortium
#3
Winning tenders for DAB+ broadcasting for the Polish Radio
#4
Acquisition of American Tower
#5
1000 parking sensors, i.e. Smart City Ostrów Wielkopolski
Infrastructure security
Marcin Buzdygan,
Director of the Security Management Office, Emitel S.A.
“At Emitel we have very high state-of-theart security management standards. We act proactively and at a high level of commitment to manage the organisation’s business continuity in crisis situations, and we take care of all aspects of widely understood information security. For this purpose, we have implemented an Integrated Management System (IMS), the elements of which are a business continuity management system according to ISO 22301:2019 and an information security management system according to ISO, 27001:2013. On a dayto-day basis, we therefore and security standards in the world. A key role for us is played by prevention, which is based and focused mainly on building awareness of threats, preparing for them by developing and testing procedures for dealing with crises."
We are aware of the importance of the nature of our business, its relevance to the security of the country and the comfort of life and access to information for citizens. Therefore, as part of our initiatives, we focus on ensuring the business continuity of our key services.
In addition to implementing the latest technical solutions, we prioritise shaping and raising awareness of existing risks among employees.. We attach great importance to increasing the knowledge of employees and co-workers regarding security procedures, especially information security and business continuity
Ethical standards
In our day-to-day work, we comply with the Code of Conduct and Ethics and the compliance policy. The Code is a set of principles and values to which all employees and associates are required to adhere. Its guidelines are reviewed regularly and the company’s management is responsible for ensuring that employees are aware of and comply with the Code. The compliance policy defines the company’s compliance with legal requirements. The Legal and Compliance Office is responsible for its implementation and compliance.
Rafał Sekuła,
Director of the HR Office, Emitel S.A.
“In 2023, our development programme addressed both employees with short seniority and experienced employees. Among other things, we continued with the EmiTech programme, the aim of which is to improve competence and knowledge transfer, especially in specialised technical areas. We worked on developing managers’ competence in conducting development interviews and giving feedback. We also offered a number of training courses as part of EmiAcademy to support the development of Emitel’s key competences and to expand knowledge in various areas of management, business and science."
Developing leaders,
investing in talent
We implement tailor-made development programmes such as the Academy of Leaders or EmiTech. We are constantly expanding the list of training courses available on the EmiAcademy educational platform.
Building a sense of
community
#AllToTheOars (#WszyscyDoWioseł) – we enthusiastically got involved, as a partner of the event, in the 6th edition of the charity event organised by the Legia Warsaw Foundation. We helped to raise funds for the functioning of the Child and Youth Helpline of the Empowering Children Foundation (Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę).
We work in the spirit of “zero waste”
In 2023, we completed a project to rearrange the office space in accordance with the principles of ‘zero waste’. Following the second-circuit principle, we organised an auction of the office equipment used to date. The proceeds from the sale were donated to the SOS Children’s Villages Association in Poland.
The new competence model
Anna Kołodziej,
Head of the Development and Recruitment Centre, Emitel S.A.
“The competence model has applications in many HR processes. One of them is the competence assessment, which makes it possible to determine to what extent the key expectations defined by the company for its employees manifest themselves in practice in their day-to-day activities. The update of the objective was preceded by a survey and a series of focus meetings with managers to analyse, among other things, the key challenges faced by the teams in our company. This was followed by a review of the competence indicators with the support of an external consultancy. The final stage was a training course for managers on how to use the model, which followed the process of development interviews with employees.”
In 2023, we conducted a competency assessment and development interview process in accordance with the updated competency model. The aim of the procedure was to assess the competence of employees in relation to the expectations of the firm. An important element of the process was the provision of feedback and the establishment of an individual development plan, taking into account the results of the employee’s self-assessment.
Inclusive means for everybody
Building a sense of community and belonging is a foundation of our organisational culture. Our priority is an Inclusive Emitel. We are a place where youth meets experience, and forming relationships of care for the well-being of employees is one of the fields of our ESG Policy. Based on the internal document “Declaration of Diversity”, all employees are given equal opportunities in access to the firm’s resources and in shaping their professional development.
Occupational
health and safety
Although a typical telecommunications tower is 40-50 m high, the tallest structures reach over 300 m. The basis for safe work is the identification of potential risks and health and safety training. In response to the risk of working in areas protected against electromagnetic fields, the company conducts periodic electromagnetic field measurements and educates employees of the Technical Groups in this area. Due to the mobile nature of the Technical Groups’ work, systematic training in safe driving is conducted.
Ryszard Chlebda,
Environmental Management Coordinator, Emitel S.A.
„Our company’s strength is its people, and their safety is our top priority. We achieve this by, among other things, assessing risks and building awareness of H&S risks and how to counter them, appropriate training, processes, the provision of high, quality equipment and periodic surveys of the working environment.”
We effectively manage
the environmental impacts
We have had an environmental management system in place for two years, based on the international standard ISO 14001:2015.
We are committed to
protect the climate
We aim to continuously reduce the environmental impact of our operations by investing in renewable energy sources and moving towards a closed-loop economy.
We monitor the impact of
electromagnetic fields
We regularly monitor the levels of electromagnetic fields EMF around our facilities and installations. In 2023, 158 measurements and 63 EMF calculations were carried out by accredited laboratories, providing comprehensive control of our operations.
Environmental impact management
At Emitel, we focus on minimising the environmental impact of our activities related to the generation and emission of electromagnetic fields. We have implemented a system based on the international environmental standard, which is recognised worldwide. This standard defines the principles of environmental management and makes it possible to control the company’s compliance with current legislation and stakeholder expectations. Having an environmental management certificate is proof of the Emitel Team’s commitment to conducting business in a responsible manner, which in turn builds trust among both our customers and business partners.
In 2023, the total prevented
greenhouse gas emissions
amounted to
57,441.15 teCO2
Climate action
Tackling climate change is one of the one of the main priorities at Emitel. We are noticing a growing awareness among the recipients of our services and users about the carbon footprint that broadcasting and streaming leave behind. In our firm, emissions mainly result from the use of equipment with high energy requirements, cooling or extinguishing equipment containing greenhouse gases, the operation of local boiler rooms, emergency power supplies and means of transport. Through the introduction of new technologies on transmission equipment and the use of innovative solutions, we are successfully reducing the level of emissions generated.
Energy efficiency
Electricity is the backbone of the services we provide, which is why we focus on innovations and environmental management solutions to improve the efficiency of its use and increase the proportion of energy from renewable sources.
In total, at the end of 2023 88 facilites use photovoltaic installations producing 2,479.6 MW.
Green office
Ryszard Chlebda,
Environmental Management Coordinator, Emitel S.A.
"In 2023, we optimised reactive power at 29 of our facilities. Reactive power is a type of energy that is not converted into useful work, but is generated during the operation of some electrical equipment. It is energy that is not consumed, but circulates between the power plant and the consumer. Aiming to minimise this type of energy, we conducted a reactive energy cost analysis at each facility, taking measurements of network parameters and then analysing the results, we designed reactive power compensators. As a result, we achieved a reduction in the cost of this type of energy. After installing compensators at the facilities and re-measuring, we estimated that we would save 33,000 zlotys worth of reactive energy per month.”
Closed loop
economy
The closed loop economy (GOZ), also known as the circular economy, is a model that seeks to minimalise the consumption of raw materials and reduce waste generation.
Its main goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use energy more efficiently. Under this model, closed loops of production processes are created in which waste is treated as raw materials in subsequent production phases.
Water resources
Responsible planning and effective management of water resources constitute a key element in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This area encompasses both the control of direct water consumption in the course of operations and the conservation of existing water resources.
In 2023, we took concrete steps to improve our environmental impact. One important measure was to stop discharging treated wastewater into the Skrwa River from the RTCN Płock Rachocin facility.
Monitoring of
electromagnetic fields (EMF)
Electromagnetic fields arise from the combination of two fields: magnetic and electric. The occurrence of electromagnetic fields is a completely natural phenomenon in the environment. It is a type of energy which concentrates around the source of emission. The results of the EMF research programme that has been carried out by Emitel from 2019 onwards show that there was a year-on-year decrease at 14 of the 15 largest broadcasting sites. The arithmetic mean of the electromagnetic field strength in 2023 was 1.83 V/m, which was less than 7% of the limit value.
We support local
partnerships
We believe that involvement in local projects initiates changes on a broader scale. We engage in charitable and spon- sorship activities for schools, NGOs and cultural institutions.
Always ready
for the podium
Sports and health have long been on our priority list. We place particular empha- sis on inclusivity, fair play principles and equal access. The progress and sporting successes in which we have contributed, inspire us to further activity.
Our passion
is helping
We are proud of our employees who, as part of the employee volunteering programme, engage in helping others. In 2023, Emitel volunteers actively partici- pated in the fencing tournament ‘Inte- gration through Sport and Friendship’, as well as in the #AllToTheOars campaign, organised by the Legia Warsaw Foundation.
We support cultural development
An important area of our company’s social commitment is cultural projects.
Emitel S.A.’s activities are inseparably connected with mass culture, but we also do not forget to support the development of artists, young talents and other initia- tives in this field.
Promoting high culture is an important mission in which we gladly participate.
Examples of participation in cultural projects:
- TOTUS TUUS Awards
- Ecclesia Villanovensis Foundation
- International Music Festival named after Krystyna Jamroz in Busko-Zdrój
- Quarantine in Hi-Fi concerts on the Radio Dla Ciebie channel
- Steinway Solo Concert Series in Radio Kraków
We build partnerships that strengthen technical competences
We build partnerships that strengthen technical competences We believe that real impact on changing the surrounding reality can be achieved through building partnerships that equalize opportunities and support the technological and educational development of society.
Examples of projects carried out in 2023:
- Partnership with the Warsaw University of Technology Foundation
- Cooperation with the Poznań Univeristy of Life Sciencesu
- The Foundation for the Development of Radiocommunication and Multimedia Tech- nologies
- Patronage over the book “Smart City – Who Governs in Smart Cities” by Sabina Baraniewicz-Kotasińska
- Transatlantic Cultural Park Radio Telegraph- ic Broadcasting Centre Association
- Collaboration with the “Exempt from Theory” project brings results
Agnieszka Sobucka,
Director of Marketing and Communications Office,
Press Spokesperson, Emitel
"Our commitment to women’s football stems from our belief in their poten- tial and desire to develop in this sport. Currently, around 30,000 women actively play football in Poland, which only emphasizes the growing popu- larity of this discipline among wom- en. At Emitel, we not only support the sport, but also engage in building equal opportunities for women, in- spiring them to achieve greater suc- cess both on the field and in society."
Sport is for everyone
Girls Play! aka the “Warsaw Diamonds” (Diamenty Warszawa)
We are dedicated to making the slogan “Girls play football!” the norm that is not surprising. We are proud to fulfil the dreams of young, ambitious girls and wom- en to pursue professional football careers. For the past three years, we have been supporting the Women’s Football Team “Warsaw Diamonds’’ - a football club for players aged 16 and above in the Junior U17 and Senior Women’s categories.
Wheelchair Fencing
In our efforts towards diversity, equality and social inte- gration, we support the Wheelchair Fencing Section of the Legia Warsaw Foundation. We actively participate in the organising sports activities and tournaments that contribute to the idea of broad social integration. In June 2023, the second edition of the “Integration through Sport and Friendship” Tournament took place at the Legia Warsaw Stadium, where our volunteers - Emitel employees - were present on site.
The competition featured the best wheelchair fencers from around the world, for whom participation in this elite international tournament was an important stage in preparing for the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Emitel joins the rowing!
In November 2023, we participated in the sixth edition of the #AllToTheOars campaign, organised by the Legia Warsaw Foundation. Together with other partners, we joined in to support the continuity of the Child and Youth Helpline operated by the Empowering Children Foundation (Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę). Our participation in sports events not only promotes a healthy lifestyle and community integration, but above all contributes to solving important social problems.
Our #TeamEmitel was represented by 4x4 teams (four teams of four people each), rowing for 11 minutes in each round of the event - as long as an average conversation with the Helpline lasts. #TeamEmitel rowed on train- ing ergometers for a total of 176 minutes. Together, we ‘rowed’ a distance of 37 km and 342 m, thus providing the Foundation with the funds for nearly 225 Helpline calls.
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