Growth and sustainability in harmony

At Best in Parking, we are increasingly focussing on renewable energies in order to actively promote the energy transition. The majority of our locations are already supplied with green energy and we utilise suitable areas to generate solar energy. We currently operate a photovoltaic system and a further five locations are in the planning stage. To reduce energy consumption, we mainly rely on LED lighting and intelligent energy concepts. These investments and measures are decisive steps towards reducing our ecological footprint and making an active contribution to climate protection.

The market for electric vehicles in Europe has seen significant growth in recent years. Experts predict that this market will achieve an average annual growth rate of 12.11% between 2024 and 2028. In view of this ongoing development, the Group plans to significantly expand its network of charging stations for electric vehicles. As at 31 December 2023, the Group already had 510 e-charging points in Austria, Italy, Croatia and Slovakia, compared to 479 in the previous year. Our aim is to expand this network to 1,000 e-charging points in the medium term and, where possible, to operate them using self-generated solar energy. With these measures, we want to strengthen the infrastructure for electromobility and make our contribution to sustainable mobility.

For the years 2022 and 2023, we have prepared our first greenhouse gas balance sheet in accordance with the requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). This consists of our direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions (Scope 2).

The greenhouse gas balance forms the basis for developing further measures to reduce the Group's environmental impact and defining a long-term plan to achieve "net zero" (Scope 1 and 2) by 2040.  We are currently in the process of identifying a strategy and specific savings potential and taking targeted measures to reduce emissions.

• Net-Zero by 2040
• Supporting public administrations in the development of climate-friendly mobility concepts (e.g. lower CO2 emissions through reduced parking search traffic)
• Climate-sensitive planning of new parking areas through optimal use of space and building materials
• Expansion of the e-charging network from currently 510 charging points to over 1,000
• Expansion of own electricity production - 5 additional photovoltaic systems planned
• Supply all locations with renewable energy
• Further expansion of energy-efficient LED lighting

   

At Best in Parking, diversity and equality are key components of our corporate philosophy and ESG strategy. We value diversity and are actively committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees have equal opportunities and conditions. Through targeted programmes and initiatives, we promote the individual strengths and perspectives of our employees and create an environment in which everyone feels safe and valued.

With the Health and Safety Policy Statement, signed by CEO Johann Breiteneder, Best in Parking is reinforcing its efforts to prioritise the health and well-being of employees and customers even more. To this end, a comprehensive health and safety strategy and a "Safety at Work" campaign have been developed. As part of this programme, measures are being implemented to improve health and safety in the workplace. We are currently in the process of implementing a management system that is in line with ISO 45001 and can be certified in 2026.

Best in Parking is actively involved in the creation of new urban living spaces to improve the quality of life in cities. We support public administrations in the development of climate-friendly mobility concepts to reduce CO2 emissions through reduced parking search traffic and to create additional open spaces for catering and recreational purposes. We are also committed to preserving cultural heritage by supporting the restoration of monuments.

As a member of ZOVI (Zukunftsoffensive Verkehr & Infrastruktur), Best in Parking AG is helping to make Austria a leader in the field of eco-efficient infrastructure and thus sustainably develop into a liveable, competitive location. At ZOVI, the transport, energy and digitalisation sectors are networked and, together with experts, eco-efficient mobility solutions, clean energy and the expansion of key future technologies are being driven forward.

• Creating a proactive safety culture
• Increasing the quality of life in cities through additional open spaces
• Reducing stationary traffic in favour of areas for gastronomy and recreation
• Preserving cultural heritage by restoring monuments
• Optimising accessibility in garages
   
   

Transparency towards our stakeholders is of the utmost importance to us. We are therefore actively working on a sustainability report to share all relevant ESG information transparently. Our aim is to openly present our commitment to sustainability: Where we stand, where we see potential for improvement and what specific sustainability goals we have set ourselves in the medium and long term. We are currently working on a double materiality analysis based on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We are also planning to publish our first sustainability brochure in the course of the year.

Since 2024, there has been an ESG-Committee of the Supervisory Board, which monitors and advises on the organisation's strategies and objectives in the areas of environmental, social and governance (ESG). The all-female ESG Committee consists of Jo Cooper, Bettina Breiteneder and Julia Leeb and meets at least quarterly.

• Implementation of a Group-wide procurement guideline that includes ESG criteria
• Implementation of a management system that can be certified with ISO 45001, 19001 and 9001 by 2026
• Implementation of an information security management system that can be certified with ISO 27001