Polish Mall Operator Hits 2030 Climate Goals 5 Years Early

A real estate company in Poland just proved that ambitious climate goals aren't just possible—they're achievable ahead of schedule.

EPP, which operates shopping centers across Poland, has already met the emissions reduction targets it set for 2030. The company slashed emissions from its own operations and purchased energy by more than 50 percent compared to 2019 levels. Emissions elsewhere in its value chain dropped by 32 percent during the same period.

These weren't easy targets. EPP set them through the Science Based Targets initiative, a program that helps companies align their goals with what climate science says is actually needed to protect our planet.

The company didn't stop at hitting early goals. It created a detailed climate transition plan that treats carbon reduction not as a separate checkbox, but as a core part of every business decision.

"Climate targets are therefore not a separate area of our work, but one of the factors in decisions about individual properties," explains Aleksandra Noworyta, EPP's ESG director. The plan influences everything from building renovations to financing decisions.

Real changes are already happening on the ground. At King Cross Marcelin shopping center in Poznań, energy use in common areas has fallen by about 20 percent. Solar panels are going up at 13 EPP shopping centers right now, with a combined capacity of more than 7.1 megawatts planned.

The Ripple Effect

EPP's early success sends an encouraging message to businesses everywhere wrestling with climate commitments. When companies integrate sustainability into everyday decisions rather than treating it as a separate initiative, dramatic progress becomes possible.

The improvements also benefit shoppers and store owners through lower energy costs. Communities hosting these shopping centers gain cleaner air and reduced carbon footprints without losing the conveniences they rely on.

EPP isn't resting on these wins. The company has set its sights on cutting emissions by 90 percent by 2050 compared to 2019 levels, with plans to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire value chain.

Sometimes the most inspiring climate stories come not from flashy new technology, but from businesses simply deciding to take the science seriously and act on it.