Water
Area management
[E3-1]
Following the double materiality assessment, the impact of the Śnieżka Group’s production activities on water and marine resources was confirmed. A material negative impact on the availability of water resources and the condition of ecosystems was identified due to increased water stress caused by water withdrawal for own operations. The undertaking recognises that reduced water availability due to climate change may impact its operations.
Within the confines of the Quality, Environment and Health and Safety Policy (implemented in all the Group companies bar Śnieżka-BelPol), the Group undertakes to minimise the impact of its products on the environment, including the normative emission of pollutants into water (described in more detail at the beginning of the chapter). Although the Group has not adopted a policy directly dedicated to water, this issue is addressed in the Sustainable Development Strategy (adopted for Śnieżka SA and Śnieżka ToC). The accepted commitments concern, inter alia, monitoring of media consumption – water and energy. The Group has not adopted, and does not intend to do so, any policies or practices relating to the sustainability of oceans and seas, given the lack of connection between its activities and the exploitation of marine resources. The current policy does not include stakeholders, water supply issues, risks arising from restrictions on water withdrawals for production during e.g. droughts, designing products and services to address water-related issues, nor does it commit to reducing significant water use in water-risk areas, within own operations and upstream and downstream of the value chain. This will be addressed in a document update scheduled for the end of 2026. The accepted commitments concern, inter alia, monitoring of media consumption.
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing the provisions of the above-mentioned documents.
The policy does not cover stakeholders or the downstream value chain, but applies to own operations and the upstream value chain suppliers – regardless of geographical location. The Group spurs its suppliers to take action to reduce the consumption of natural resources, manage them rationally and monitor water and sewage consumption. The Supplier’s Code of Conduct containing the relevant provisions is communicated together with the order form.
All the documents mentioned are available at company website.
[E3-2]
In 2024, the work on the expansion and launch of the water consumption measurement and monitoring system was carried on. No action was taken in relation to restrictions on water withdrawal for production. The data collected by the system will enable future accurate identification of areas where changes have the greatest reduction potential, which will help reduce the demand for water for production during shortages and will enable the determination of reduction opportunities in the field of sanitary water consumption. First of all, efforts are focused on the analysis of water consumption for industrial purposes (washing equipment and machinery) and for social and living purposes.
- pre-cleaning of elements with compressed air,
- installation of scrapers that reduce the amount of paint remaining on the tank walls,
- standardization of the washing method along with appropriate training of the team.
A number of tests were also carried out on the possibility of reusing the washings (after cleaning and treatment) for washing or in the production process itself. Technologies in place constitute a good starting point for further work aimed at closing the water cycle. In order to limit its consumption for social and living purposes, a review of the fittings was carried out, faucet aerators were installed and an educational campaign for employees was carried out under the Don’t waste! slogan. No activities are planned for the coming years other than monitoring and development of those already described. The effectiveness of the above actions is not currently measured. When establishing the action plan for reducing water consumption, no consideration was given to counteracting material impacts and risks and exploiting material opportunities relating to water.
The Śnieżka Group did not incur any substantial expenditure on activities related to water and marine resources. The implementation of the activities does not require significant capital expenditure or operating expenses. No specific time horizon has been defined for the actions undertaken. Their implementation is taking place within the currently applicable Sustainable Development Strategy.
The Group is active in the area of high water stress (Hungary), yet it is not active in the field of exposed to water risks. The actions described are the same for each location, regardless of the level of water stress.
Metrics and targets related to water
[E3-3]
The Group does not have measurable targets concerning its impact on water and marine resources. The targets will be set by the end of 2026. It should be emphasised, however, that the Group’s target is to protect the environment and reduce water consumption, which is confirmed by the provisions of the current Sustainable Development Strategy. The effectiveness of the policies is not monitored as the Group does not have a water-related policy. The Group’s activities do not have a material impact on marine resources.
[E3-5]
The Śnieżka Group takes advantage of the possibility to omit the disclosure of information on the anticipated financial impacts resulting from material risks and opportunities related to water and marine resources in accordance with Appendix C to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772 of 31 July 2023, due to the fact that it is preparing a report in accordance with the ESRB requirements for the first time.
[E3-4]
Water consumption
| Unit | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Total water withdrawal | m3 | 52 082.84 |
| Water consumption for production | m3 | 37 553.97 |
| Total water withdrawal in areas with high water stress | m3 | 12 114.00 |
| Total water recycled and reused | m3 | 1 355.54 |
| Total amount of water stored | m3 | 934.00 |
| Water consumption intensity in m3 per revenue unit | m3 / EUR 1 mln | 202.44 |
The Group measures water intensity per revenue unit but has not adopted this or any other parameter as a measure of efficiency within the scope of the metrics presented.
Changes in the amount of water stored are not quantifiable. The water added to the products comes mainly from the water supply network, and in the case of Rafil, it is also obtained from a drilled well. The presented values concern water consumption used for production purposes. The data sources are invoices and meter readings, as well as data estimated on the basis of production orders. The estimated data constitute 5.89% of the total information presented.
According to the Aqueduct Water Risk reference tool, the location of the Hungarian company is classified as an area of high water stress. Lack of information on the quality and quantity of water in water reservoirs.
Water is stored in fire ponds and in the case of Śnieżka-Ukraina, water is stored for production purposes in the event of shortage in central water supply.
The amount of reused water represents the water from washing tanks and systems, which is then used for production.
Data on the amount of water reused are based on recipe data and that 100 litres of water were used for washing per production order during the year.