Yıldız Holding Publishes Sustainability Report

Yıldız Holding Releases Sixth Sustainability Report Yıldız Holding has published its sixth Sustainability Report. Focusing on the "Zero-Waste Company" operational model, Yıldız Holding presented in the report its pioneering work in food waste prevention, waste management, decarbonisation, and energy and water efficiency, alongside its impact ranging from employees to the value chain, from social benefit to innovative business models. The holding also issued an independent assurance statement for the first time in the report. In the sustainability report, sector-transforming practices and collaborations of Ülker Bisküvi, Kerevitaş, Şok Marketler, pladis, Adapazarı Şeker, Aytaç Gıda and Bizim Toptan were highlighted. Continuing its decarbonisation journey in line with its goal of net zero carbon emissions across the entire value chain by 2050, Yıldız Holding is carrying out operations with the objective of extending the decarbonisation initiative first implemented at pladis and continued with Kerevitaş to its other companies. [caption id="attachment_156099" align="aligncenter"] Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/sirkethaberleri/holding/yildiz-holding-6nci-surdurulebilirlik-raporunu-yayimladi/682136[/caption] The report included statements from Mehmet Tütüncü, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Yıldız Holding. Tütüncü stated that through its companies operating in the food and retail sectors, the holding has assumed responsibility for food waste prevention, waste management, decarbonisation, and increasing energy and water efficiency, implementing circular business models and practices. Emphasising that with a "This World is Ours" approach it aims to create value with all stakeholders focused on productivity, digitalisation and people, Tütüncü said: "While working to raise awareness on these issues, we are also aware of our transformative role in the broad ecosystem we impact, and we are developing effective practices to reduce waste at every stage from harvest to consumption." According to the statement in the report, Yıldız Holding and its companies have achieved savings worth millions of lira through their work in food waste prevention, waste management, decarbonisation, and energy and water efficiency. In doing so, the holding has made significant contributions to both the Turkish economy and nature. Ülker Meets 43 Percent of Its Energy Needs from Renewable Sources Looking at data on Ülker, a brand of Yıldız Holding, the company meets 43 percent of its electricity energy from renewable sources. Working to control greenhouse gas emissions, Ülker is progressing towards its goal of becoming a net-zero company by 2050. Kerevitaş Achieved TRY 8.6 Million in Savings Kerevitaş achieved TRY 5.9 million in savings through packaging reduction and TRY 8.6 million through waste management. ŞOK Marketler achieved energy savings of up to 15 percent under its "Store Energy Efficiency" project launched in 2022 with the goal of minimising greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. Aytaç Gıda achieved approximately 1.5 tons of food waste recycling in 2022 through its food waste recycling project. Adapazarı Şeker, which conducted water risk analysis, managed its decision-making and procurement processes according to the results of this analysis. Bizim Toptan Begins Using Solar Energy System Bizim Toptan has started using a solar energy system at its Gebze store as part of renewable energy investments. With this investment, Bizim Toptan meets all of the store's electricity energy needs from renewable energy. The report also covered topics such as equal opportunity and women's employment. The proportion of women in Yıldız Holding's management ranks exceeds 30 percent, while approximately 20 percent of the companies' and holding's boards of directors are composed of women. The holding also has a long-term partnership with the Women's Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme supported by UN Women. The Sustainability Report also discussed work carried out in Research and Development and Innovation. According to information shared in the report, digital innovation-focused R&D work at the holding is conducted by Yıldız Tech, which has acquired the status of "On-Site R&D Centre" from the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Yıldız Ventures and Gözde Tech Ventures also examine startups in the food and retail technologies sector. Source