Q8 SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

Commitment

Q8 Italia (hereinafter also referred to as the Company) aspires to play an increasingly central role in promoting a just transition toward a more sustainable economic model. The Sustainability Policy of Q8 Italia (hereinafter also referred to as the "Policy") aims to foster the dissemination of theories of economic, social, and environmental sustainability that underpin the Company’s activities and business strategy. Adherence to these theories, along with the values of ethics, honesty, transparency, fairness, confidentiality, loyalty, and integrity already outlined within the Code of Ethics, is essential both within the Company and in its interactions with stakeholders in its daily operations. For Q8, "sustainability" means conducting its activities with a forward-looking perspective and aligning the business strategy with creating value for stakeholders from a medium- to long-term perspective. The Sustainability Policy serves as a fundamental guideline for the Company to pursue the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues considered relevant. The identification of relevant topics for Q8 and its stakeholders is periodically conducted by the Company in accordance with existing policies, corporate strategies, and the results of materiality analysis. The Company commits to ensuring the widest possible dissemination of this Sustainability Policy by using appropriate awareness-raising tools, training, and sensitization regarding its contents.

 

Background and references

The present Policy is in line with both internal and external regulations and with the latest developments in the European and international context.

• External legislation

  • International and national legislation, standards, and international guidelines are important for Q8's work and sustainability ambitions. Below are the main reference initiatives:
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  • The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, outlined in the 2020 Agenda adopted by the United Nations, aimed at "achieving a better and more sustainable future for all."
  • The European Green Deal, aiming to transform the continent into the first climate-neutral one, with two main objectives: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
  • The "EU Fit for 55" climate package, presenting legislative proposals to achieve the goals of the Green Deal by 2030.
  • The EU's biodiversity strategy for 2030 to protect nature and reverse ecosystem degradation, another key element of the Green Deal.
  • The European Directive 2014/95/EU on non-financial reporting (Non-Financial Reporting Directive), its transposition in Italy with Legislative Decree 254/2016, and Directive 2022/2464/EU on sustainability reporting.
  • The EU Taxonomy Regulation, introducing the first system for classifying eco-sustainable economic activities.
  • The National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate (PNIEC), which sets national objectives for energy and climate efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, and renewable energy sources.

Internal regulations:

  • Q8 has implemented an internal regulatory framework that is comprehensive and in line with best practices. It includes, among other documents:
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  • Code of Ethics;
  • Organizational Model and Management Model pursuant to Legislative Decree 231/01;
  • Anti-corruption Policy;
  • Anti-mafia Policy;
  • Antitrust Policy;
  • Whistleblowing Procedure;
  • Privacy Procedure;
  • SSHE Policy (Safety, Security, Health & Environment).

 

Organization, Roles and Responsibilities

The present Sustainability Policy adopted by the Company targets its social and top management bodies, employees, collaborators (including, for example, consultants, agents, representatives, intermediaries, etc.), and all those who cooperate or collaborate with Q8 in any capacity.
Q8 interacts daily with numerous stakeholders, both internal and external, who can influence and shape the Company’s activities. Each of these stakeholders plays a significant role in the company’s value creation process.
Below are defined the roles and responsibilities of the organizational bodies and structures involved in managing ESG risks and opportunities and the organization’s impacts on ESG factors, as well as coordination and sharing within the ESG domain with its shareholders:

•Board of Directors

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  • The Board of Directors is accountable for the Company's business activities and, ultimately, for defining this policy and ensuring its application and compliance.

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

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It is the responsibility of the CEO, assisted by the Human Resources, Legal, Compliance Director, and other accountable figures, to ensure that the Policy is respected throughout the organization and that all employees are aware of it.

•    Human Resources, Legal, Compliance, and other accountable figures

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The Human Resources, Legal, and Compliance Director and other roles identified at various levels of the organization are entrusted with coordinating, implementing, and enforcing the Policy, updating it, and, within their specific functional competencies, disseminating a culture of sustainability within the Company.

Q8 for Sustainability

To actively contribute to a sustainable future, Q8 has extensively integrated sustainability into all its activities.

In line with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) issues, there are three pillars on which the sustainability strategy  is articulated, which is combined with 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Governance Area

The first pillar is "New Way of Doing Business", representing Q8's idea of its business: ethical, capable of creating long-term value, and giving ample space to digitalization and technology. To this first pillar, the following SDGs have been associated:

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

 

  • The Company ensures a transparent and effective governance system, composed of the Board of Directors and internal Committees, with the aim of creating wealth for itself and its stakeholders throughout the value chain.
  • At the core of the company's strategies lies risk analysis, aimed at assessing business-related risks, including those in sustainability.
  • Q8 is committed to always complying with laws, regulations, and other applicable requirements.
  • Q8 manages all operations in line with the principles and criteria of ethical, social, and environmental responsibility.
  • Q8 is committed to transmitting its values to internal and external stakeholders in terms of ethics, transparency, and the protection of people and the environment in which it operates.
  • Innovation and Digital Transformation are fundamental drivers of the Company's operational strategies.
  • Energy Transition, innovation, and Digital Transformation are fundamental drivers of the Company's operational strategies.

Environmental Area

The pillar "Enabler for Energy Transition" represents Q8’s commitment to researching new sustainable and green solutions capable of reducing CO2 emissions, experimenting with alternative forms of energy, and increasing energy efficiency applied to innovative and accountable infrastructures. Therefore, the associated SDGs are:

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 13: Climate Action

In line with the fundamentals of sustainable development, while respecting and protecting the rights of communities and future generations, the Company commits to minimizing and optimizing the impact of its business activities on the environment and encourages its stakeholders to adopt the same behavior.

The Company pledges to ensure, among other things:

  • Health and safety of workers;
  • Accountable resource management;
  • Reduction of GHG emissions generated directly from sources owned or controlled by the Company or indirectly from purchased and consumed energy;
  • reduction and optimization of material usage;
  • reduction of consumption and promotion of projects aimed at using recycled materials from a circular economy perspective;
  • waste production containment, selective waste collection to favor recycling, and reduction in landfill disposal quantities;
  • use of energy from renewable sources where possible;
  • promotion of alternative fuels to end customers.

Social Area

The pillar "People Enhancement" encompasses Q8's commitment to its employees, collaborators, customers, and the community in which the Company operates. The associated SDGs are as follows:

SDG 3: Good health and well-being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

 

  • In addition to ensuring respect for human rights, Q8 promotes, both internally and externally, the fundamentals of inclusion, diversity, multiculturalism, and heterogeneity.
    The Company is committed to ensuring that its employees receive advanced welfare forms, merit-based benefits, and continuous training, including in ESG areas.
    Beyond the company’s perimeter, Q8 is engaged in creating social value, playing a role in cultural stimulation, and supporting the territory and communities in which it operates, demonstrating its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
    The Company considers its customers crucial and commits to managing their needs effectively and satisfactorily, raising awareness, and involving them in CSR initiatives.
    The fundamentals of collaboration, fairness, and transparency underlie the relationships that the Company maintains with its partners, stakeholders, and the territories in which it operates, encouraging constant dialog to raise awareness among all parties involved on social and environmental responsibility issues

 

Contacts

If you have any questions about this document, please contact the External Relations, Press and CSR Service at the following e-mail address: relazioniesterne@Q8.it

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