Our ESG ambitions:
Our society, particularly with regards to the food sector, is facing major challenges when it comes to sustainability. It is from this awareness, and in keeping with our core values, that we at Pietercil Brokerage proactively shoulder our share of responsibility. In striving for innovation, we have to ensure that our actions today help contribute towards a better future. Sustainability, in all its facets, plays a key role in our approach. It governs our use of resources, how we look after our employees and our approach to building relationships with our partners. We are always looking for ways to create long-term value. To that end, we have developed our own ESG strategy, allowing us to take action where our impact is greatest. The world is evolving, meaning changes in what is expected of Pietercil. Clients, employees, contractors and business partners are rightly demanding sustainable solutions, ethical leadership and responsible decision-making. At Pietercil, we embrace such expectations. We do not see them as obligations, rather as opportunities to build on our foundations and reaffirm what we stand for.
Our ESG strategy is based on our own strong motivation and clear vision. Working with the Board of Directors, it is management at Pietercil Brokerage and the wider Group that sets the bigger picture. Our ESG officer is responsible for coordinating its implementation, with colleagues from the various teams taking the lead on specific actions within each area of sustainability.
Transparant reporting: ready for the future
Transparency forms the foundation of our sustainability approach.
In our sustainability report, we clearly and substantiatedly outline our ESG strategy, objectives and the progress achieved.
This reporting has been developed in view of the new legal reporting requirements and is aligned with the VSME standard.
Our ESG reporting completes the strategy: measuring, improving and reporting.
Our strategy is based on four key pillars:
Together with our brand customers and service providers, we are able to determine and limit impact risks within our value chain.
Climate:
We are committed to reducing CO2 emissions and minimising food waste, both through our own operations and beyond.
Quality and safety:
We always guarantee superior product quality, as well as the utmost safety standards for our consumers.
People-focused HR policy:
We invest in the wellbeing, motivation and overall health of our employees, ensuring their commitment levels are rendered all the more sustainable.
Thanks to our ESG policy, we are able to give our brands a meaningful place on the shelf, meet the demands and expectations of retailers, while at the same time being prepared for future (EU) regulations.
Responsible supply chain management through due diligence
We assess the risks of adverse impact throughout our entire value chain, including that of our principals, and reducing said impact where possible. To that end, we have adopted a structured due diligence approach.
We work with a sustainable supplier management system that focuses on issues such as climate change and adaptation, hazardous materials, biodiversity, deforestation, water management, working conditions and health. Through risk analyses, dialogue and clear agreements with suppliers, we are all working to achieve greater transparency, as well as greater consistency in our sustainable practices
Climate action and CO2 reduction (SBTi engagement)
Climate change calls for genuine action. To that end, we at Pietercil are committed to reducing our own CO2 emissions, as well as those of our wider value chain. We chart our total emissions (scope 1, 2 and 3), setting clear future reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Many of our principals are already SBTi compliant, actively participating in our joint reduction strategies. In addition, we are also focused on climate adaptation and identifying climate risks. We are also combating food waste, for example through improved forecasting, stock management and by donating obsolete products.
Quality and consumer health
Product quality and safety are two of our top priorities. We have a strict food safety policy, fostering an environment in which quality is monitored at every level. Each year, we complete the IFS audit procedure, among other similar initiatives.
But our responsibility doesn’t stop there. We also take into account the nutritional value, health impact and accessibility of our products, thereby contributing to the well-being of every consumer.
Sustainable HR policy and employee wellbeing
Our employees are the beating heart of our organisation. As such, we strive to provide them with a motivating, safe and healthy work environment. To that end, as part of our ESG strategy, we implement a sustainable personnel policy, working to build a strong ‘One Team’ culture, actively supporting the wellbeing of our colleagues and investing in leadership development.
This is how we are able to build an organisation where people enjoy working and growing together.
VCDO & VN SDG Pioneer
For the past three years, we have been actively engaged in the Voka Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO), an objective assessment of our efforts in the area of sustainability. Year on year, we continue to receive positive assessments for at least ten initiatives from our action plan, spread across the three pillars: social, environmental and governance.
For us, these initiatives are not optional. They are structurally embedded within our core activities and value chain. Take, for instance, our pilot projects focusing on sustainable development goals (SDGs), circular business models, and initiatives aimed at creating a social impact. This demonstrates our commitment as an ‘SDG Pioneer’.
Our materiality matrix helps identify the themes that are most relevant to us and our stakeholders, linking them directly to specific SDGs.
IFS certification: quality assured
Our organisation has been certified according to the IFS (International Featured Standards) standard, a guarantee for food safety and quality management within the food sector. This means that our retail and wholesale partners can count on us for reliable processes and products.
We adhere to the specific IFS Broker variant, specifically developed for companies dealing in food products. What’s more, we insist that all our suppliers also hold IFS certification, entrusting audits to that effect to an independent third party. This reinforces not only our transparency, but also our wider credibility as an organisation.
Code of conduct
When it comes to our partners, we have a clear Code of Conduct outlining our ethical principles, transparency and sustainability expectations.
SBTi-commitment
Finally, we have reaffirmed our commitment to climate responsibility through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), thereby committing ourselves to clear CO2 reduction targets based on scientific insights. Anyone can follow our progress in this area via our SBTi dashboard.
