The Hague, the Netherlands, 22 April 2022 - Today, PostNL published its third Green Bond Report. This report provides investors and other interested parties with details on the use of proceeds and related expected environmental impact of the Green Bond (€300 million at a coupon of 0.625%, maturing in September 2026). The proceeds of the Green Bond are to be used to finance new and existing eligible green projects. This enables PostNL to contribute meaningfully to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ‘Decent work and economic growth’ and ‘Climate action’.
The eligible green projects focus on clean kilometres, sustainable buildings and innovation and efficiency.
During 2021, PostNL allocated €23 million of the Green Bond proceeds (8% of total net proceeds) to eligible green projects which brings the cumulative allocated amount to €75 million (25% of total net proceeds).
In total, PostNL has invested in 2,189 new vehicles, of which 900 in 2021. In 2022, we will continue investigating other opportunities to accelerate the electrification of our fleet.
PostNL received BREEAM or similar certificates for nine sorting centres, of which one during the reporting period for a sorting centre in use. PostNL expects to finalise the BREEAM NL In Use “Very Good” certification for the remaining sixteen sorting centres in 2022.
As part of our strategy, we keep exploring new possibilities to reduce our carbon footprint and become more energy efficient. In 2021, we invested €2 million in installing rooftop solar panels on three mail sorting centres and our international sorting centre, which we estimate will enable us to avoid 708 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.