MERLIN Properties Annual Report 2022

MERLIN Properties | 105 As a result of MERLIN’s commitment to the environment, the Group contributes through its daily activities to improving the environment around us. MERLIN analyses and minimises its potential negative impacts on biodiversity throughout the life cycle of its assets, especially in developments and refurbishments, proposing measures to preserve the environment and prioritising native plant species in the landscaped areas of the various assets, while avoiding exotic species. Likewise, although implicit in its expansion strategy, the Group avoids deforestation in its developments and refurbishments by acquiring land in urban settings or with previous uses. Furthermore, MERLIN Properties is not materially dependent on ecosystem and/or abiotic services, either in its own operations or in its supply chain, or in the development/rehabilitation of buildings or the management of existing buildings. Point 6.2 provides an explanation of the relationship with its suppliers and the type of employment generated in the communities, and point 4.3 gives a description of the development and operation of sustainable assets. The actions carried out by the Group in this area are as follows: In Spain, MERLIN collaborates with the REFORESTA Association, contributing to the conservation and recovery of forests, to reverse deforestation and mitigate the effects of climate change. In 2022, the Group continued its financial support for reforestation initiatives by making donations. MERLIN manages several urban gardens, where the Group has begun to promote actions to preserve biodiversity. With regard to biodiversity in developments and refurbishments, MERLIN studies the ecological value of the environment and proposes measures for its conservation. Priority is given to native plant species in the landscaped areas around their assets and exotic species are avoided.