At Nepi Rockcastle, we know how important it is to take care of the environment and have been undertaking initiatives related to its protection to ensure most sustainable operations of the centres.

Every day we act towards our commitment to the development and support of local communities that is based on 3 pillars: sustainable buildings, education and local community engagement.

To protect the people and the environment, we have long been operating according to the idea of sustainable operations. Sustainable and healthy buildings, commitment to the public, a fair approach to people and businesses are the three pillars of our business.

In accordance to NEPI Rockcastle’s sustainability Strategy, we aim to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030 (from 2019 base year) and energy intensity by 30% by 2030 (from 2022 base year), we also aim to reduce potable water consumption and reduce avoidable waste going to landfill to zero. The full strategy and the Group sustainability performance: Focus and performance – NEPI Rockcastle

• Environment

At Aupark Košice, we choose modern, energy-efficient solutions and invest in renewable energy sources. “Energy efficiency first” is our main principle while operating the center. That is why, we continuously analyse solutions that can be implemented to increase energy efficiency and reduce usage of resources in our shopping mall. Thanks to building management system (BMS) that monitors the consumption of energy, water, heating, air-conditioning or lighting, we can adapt to the current needs and optimise operation of the building.

To meet the rigorous standards of the sustainable operations, the shopping center has implemented a number of environmentally friendly initiatives, with 95% LED lighting, Permanent multi-technical maintenance and digital monitoring of utilities.

We aim to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and hope to increase a waste recycling ratio while trying to avoid sending waste to landfill. Our centre is equipped with the waste disposal bins, so every customer visiting us can contribute to the waste segregation.

All shopping centres of NEPI Rockcastle in Europe, including the Aupark Košice, have the green BREEAM In-Use certificate. We use BREEAM methodology to evaluate and certify the sustainability of our buildings, covering various aspects such as energy and water use, health, and well-being, pollution, transportation, materials, waste management, ecology and biodiversity, management processes. Aupark Košice achieved a BREEAM certificate on the level Very good.

We think that encouraging our customers to make more responsible choices during everyday shopping it is not enough – we all have the responsibility to give a good example. It was our main purpose to implement our sustainable procurement policy which support us in purchase of goods and services that do no significant harm to people and planet.

The recycling potential for customers in a shopping center is an important step for enhancing the recycling, therefore we strive to provide relevant infrastructure. The presence of recycling bins throughout the mall and facilities within the shopping center greatly influences customers' recycling potential. By having clearly labelled bins for different types of materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal we encourage people to recycle effectively.

Shopping can be tiring, therefore throughout the mall we provide resting spaces and some of them are equipped with charging points, so the customers can charge their devices while resting.

For the more active customers we provide outdoor playground for the kids.

We care about biodiversity. Working together with ecologist, we create and manage the green space around us so that it becomes friendly to the organisms living in that area.

• Plant trees

At Aupark Košice, we strive to enhance biodiversity through extensive tree and greenery planting initiatives within our capabilities. We utilize spaces like summer terraces, the surroundings of the shopping center, and the square in front of Aupark, where we recently planted three new trees. Our goal is to create new green areas that serve as natural filters and relaxation zones.

Our green spaces provide more than just vital oxygen. Trees filter harmful substances from the air and act as natural air conditioners. They regulate the water cycle in nature, reduce the risk of floods, and mitigate the effects of drought. They also help cool the air. When properly planted in urban spaces, trees can lower air temperatures by up to 8 degrees Celsius.

• Bird houses and Insects houses

We have installed six birdhouses and three insect houses on the terraces of our shopping center.

• Saving the bees. Together

“Saving the bees. Together” is a campaign designed to provide education on the important role of these valuable insects in the life of humans and on their significance to the environment.

Aupark Košice supports beekeeping and its development through the "Life of Bees" project. The project involves adopting three bee families and placing them in new hives in a meadow beneath the forest in Nededza, partially covering costs for local beekeepers. The main goal is to enhance biodiversity and ecological environment in Slovakia through bee care.

There are 700 species of bees in Slovakia. This industrious insect is responsible for pollinating one-third of the world's food production. Bees pollinate an estimated 71 out of 100 crop species, allowing us to enjoy 4,000 varieties of vegetables and numerous types of fruit. By transferring pollen from flowers, bees help preserve biodiversity and limit soil erosion. In fruit crops, bee pollination can increase yields by up to 80 percent.

Provide safe, healthy and secure environments for those who work, visit, live and relax in our shopping center is at highest priority. Thriving communities is part of our commitment to contribute and give back to the local economy. Education is an important part of our everyday marketing campaigns. We think on ourselves as educators, who share knowledge and ideas with our customers, encouraging them to make more deliberate and responsible choices. We not only provide our spaces for valuable events and initiatives, but we have also been running our own programmes and campaigns for many years.

For many years, Aupark Košice has been a meeting venue and a location of cultural events, social and sports initiatives and a place for taking care of everyday matters. We organise many campaigns and projects to support and integrate the residents and local organisations, respond to everyday needs and create a space filled with positive emotions and experiences.

• Student Companies

For years, student companies from Gymnázium Poštová 9 have offered their products within our shopping center. Aupark collaborates with the high school to provide students with real-world business experience as part of their educational process. These high school companies are established under the Applied Economics educational program.

Companies like Lavi and Fluf have showcased their products here, including a solid ecological laundry gel and briquettes made from horse manure, both of which were successful at the Student Company Fair in Bratislava.

• Clothing Exchange

As part of the Sensible Shopping Festival, Aupark Košice organized the accompanying event "Clothing Exchange," where visitors could bring unwanted clothing and discarded books. Unwanted clothing was forwarded to SK Tex, which properly recycled the collected garments, while books were donated to children's homes and social service institutions. The highlight of the program was a panel discussion featuring representatives from companies dedicated to upcycling clothing and other materials, such as redundant advertising banners.

The purpose of the event was not to discourage shopping but to educate attendees about sustainable options for handling unwanted clothing. At Aupark Košice, concern for our planet is evident, and what better place than where clothing is most sold to inform people about upcycling opportunities?

• Clowns in the Streets

Our shopping center participated in a public appeal for healthcare clowns. The civic association Červený brings joy to hospitals across Slovakia. To celebrate their association's 20th anniversary, healthcare clowns decided to spread joy beyond hospitals—on the streets, squares of Košice, and even within Aupark Košice. The main goal of this collaboration was to spread happiness among the shopping center's customers and to familiarize them with the work of healthcare clowns and their organization.

• Daffodil Day, Children's Hour

By providing space for public benefit collections, we strive annually to support communities and individuals in need of such unconditional assistance.

• World Oral Health Day

The goal of the "Healthy Smile Day" event held at our shopping center was to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene and promote a healthy smile.

The event featured various activities and workshops aimed at improving awareness of proper tooth brushing techniques, selecting the right products, and preventing oral diseases. Participants had the opportunity to gain insights from experts and receive tips on maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Aupark Košice provides easily accessible public transportation with two bus stops located near the center. We also offer six bicycle parking spaces – five outdoor and one underground – accommodating approximately 30 bicycles. Additionally, there are electric vehicle charging stations (Tesla and Greenway) in the center, totaling 5 parking spaces for simultaneous charging. Our customers can charge their cars using one of 6 stations available on the underground car park.

We inspire our customers to behave responsibly. In doing so, we share our solutions and demonstrate that we operate in a responsible environment with responsible partners. Below are examples of solutions implemented by companies found in our shopping center:

• H&M

H&M values the care for people and the planet, motivating customers to make sustainable lifestyle choices. Customers earn points (which can be exchanged for shopping vouchers) by: Bringing their own bags. Using H&M's garment collection program—recycling boxes are located in all stores worldwide.

• NESPRESSO

Nespresso launched its first recycling program in 1991 and has since embarked on a journey towards a circular model. Designed to use less material and extend their lifespan, the company has spent the last 30 years giving new life to aluminium and used coffee grounds from capsules. Now, 9 out of 10 customers have access to recycling points within a 5 km radius. Nespresso increasingly uses recycled content and expands recycling through collective systems across the industry.

• CCC

The campaign aims to apply principles of a circular economy and support people in need and local communities. In all CCC stores in Slovakia and selected international markets, used footwear is collected and responsibly reused, often donated to humanitarian organizations.

• Telekom

TELEKOM has long been committed to collecting old mobile phones and other devices for responsible recycling, aiming to reduce environmental impact.

• Marionnaud

At Marionnaud stores, customers will find special bins where they can properly recycle empty fragrance containers (plastic + glass).

• Curaprox

Curaprox collects used toothbrushes from customers and their smile shops for recycling. Why do they do it? When disposed of correctly in a plastic container, toothbrushes typically end up in landfills where they degrade over hundreds of years. Toothbrushes are made from various types of plastics that aren't separated for recycling, often ending up in landfills or incinerators instead. How do they do it? Curaprox first removes the brush heads, as their toothbrushes are made from two different plastics: polypropylene for the handle and Curen special material for the bristles. These plastics are separated, and the polypropylene is used to create waste sorting bins. These bins are donated to Slovak schools, contributing to children's education and motivating them to recycle.

At NEPI Rockcastle we value transparent communication with our stakeholders, therefore inquiries, issues, complaints or innovative ideas concerning Environmental, Social or Governance (ESG) matters can now be addressed via a dedicated communication channel. The insights and feedback are invaluable as we continually strive to enhance our sustainability efforts and uphold the highest ethical standards.

Kindly reach out to us via sustainability@nepirockcastle.com Together, let us cultivate a culture of sustainability, transparency, and positive impact at NEPI Rockcastle and throughout our broader community.