Despar North, concessionaire of the Despar, Eurospar and Interspar brands for the Tri-Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions, has published the Integrated Report 2023The document illustrates how the company creates value in the short, medium and long term, with a particular focus on progress in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) area.
Sustainability strategy aligned with UN 2030 goals
Despar Nord's ESG strategy follows the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030. The company focuses on seven key objectives: health and well-being, clean and affordable energy, decent work and economic growth, reduction of inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and the fight against climate change.
Angelo Pigatto: “Responsibility towards the environment and the community”
Angelo Pigatto, Director of Industrial Relations, Sustainability and Safety at Despar Nord, underlined the importance of environmental and social responsibility in guiding the company's strategy. Pigatto highlighted significant milestones in 2023, such as the tenth anniversary of ISO 14001 certification for environmental management, and progress in reducing environmental impacts thanks to new energy-saving technologies. The company also obtained the Family Audit certification for its Mestrino headquarters, demonstrating attention to work-family balance.
Environmental commitment and investments in green technologies
Despar Nord has invested over 30 million euros from 2013 to 2022 to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. In 2023, the company expanded its ISO 14001 certified sites to 71 units. High-efficiency photovoltaic systems and heat pumps were installed, and CO2 refrigeration systems were adopted to reduce emissions. 95,9% of the energy used in 2023 was green, with a significant reduction in Scope 2 emissions.
Employee development and community support
Despar Nord increased employment to 9.285 collaborators in 2023, with a majority of women (63,4%). The company promotes employee well-being through smart working, flexibility, and continuous training programs. In addition, Despar Nord promotes local production with the “Sapori del Territorio” brand and supports communities through social responsibility initiatives and food education projects.
New ESG-Safety feature for advanced governance
In 2023, Despar Nord established the new ESG-Safety function, combining environmental, food and labor safety with quality assurance and ESG reporting. This department focuses on reporting sustainability performance, in line with the European Union CSRD Directive.
Despar Nord continues to pursue a sustainable growth strategy, taking root in the territories and promoting an inclusive and responsible future.
