The coming years will be decisive for the path to Green Growth which means to foster economic growth and development in a sustainable way. The potential of digital technology and the cloud as the innovation platform of the 21st century will be crucial for green transformation. This applies to the corporate sector as well as to the public sector and society at large. The Tech for Sustainability Circle - a collaboration between Microsoft Switzerland, EY Switzerland and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and Liechtenstein - published a white paper focusing on the three defined themes in scope “Green Growth”, “Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI)” and “Impact Measurement” and is intended to trigger further discussions and actions for a sustainable Switzerland enabled by technology. Switzerland's success in the global economy increasingly depends on its ability to drive datadriven value creation and unlock new revenue streams from digital products and services. However, data and computing power will not only accelerate digital transformation to create sustainable economic and social growth, but also provide the critical infrastructure for green transformation. This is a unique opportunity for Switzerland, as it can build on a strong corporate sector with many technological and digital pioneers, and sustainability is anchored in the country. The white paper highlights how technology plays a pivotal role in achieving the sustainable development goals and summarizes key takeaways and calls for actions in regards to the current and future state of Green Growth in Switzerland, responsible AI and the importance of impact measurement. Some of the calls for actions include: Switzerland to define policies, frameworks and support for relevant actors from the public, private and academic sectors that focus on the role of technology to achieve the defined 2030 and 2050 sustainability goals for Green Growth. Technology and the Sustainability are bound together, and as such, sustainability impacts of AI solutions and technological progress should be considered. To survive and thrive, organizations will have to put sustainability at the heart of their tech strategy, and tech at the heart of their sustainability journey. Standardized impact measurement processes and common sustainability reporting standards must be developed as soon as possible to allow for dedicated action and comparison across different sectors and companies. About the Tech for Sustainability Circle Seizing green opportunities requires collaboration between industries, the private and the public sectors. For this reason, Microsoft Switzerland, EY Switzerland and UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein founded in 2021 the Tech for Sustainability Circle - an initiative to bring together organizations, boost transparency and measurement, and nurture dialogue between the private and public sectors, academia, and governmental organizations. Learn more: Tech for Sustainability (microsoft.com)

On June 6, 2023 many participants joined our General Assembly 2023 in Bern. The event served as a platform to reflect on our past achievements, vote on our new board members, and share our planned future activities. It was also a great opportunity to network and meet longstanding and new participants of our local network. Annual Report: Highlighting Past Activities and Events The assembly started off with the presentation of the Annual Report, which summarized our many activities and events of the previous year. The report showcased the dedication of our network in offering various insightful programmes and events for our participants: from interactive Accelerator Programmes, insightful Academy e-learnings and event series to different peer learning groups and numberous fruitful collaborations. Revision of Statutes: Shaping Our Governance and Voting on Membership Fees As a responsible organisation, we recognized the need to adapt to the changing landscape. Therefore, the revision of our statutes was a significant point on the agenda to ensure that our governance structure remains sustainable and capable of meeting the evolving needs of our network. In addition, the general assembly also discussed and voted on the revised membership fee structure. The adjustment of fees was a result of the merger of the two engagement levels (signatory and participant) and the expanded access to all programmes and will support global strategic investments in programmes and initiatives and fund the UN Global Compact more equitably. Financial Statements 2022 and Budget 2023: Presentation and Voting During the assembly we closely reviewed the financial statements for 2022, taking into account the income, expenses, and overall financial health of our organisation. Transparency and accountability are crucial to our organisation which is why an additional financial audit conducted by PwC Switzerland was shared. Following the presentation of the numbers, all participants were given the chance to ask questions or express concerns before voting on the financial statements and budget. Board Election: New Faces and Sad Goodbyes As part of the general assembly our participants conducted elections to form our local network's board of directors. This moment marked a significant transition, as five new leaders joined our board to guide our organisation in the future. Their commitmment, expertise, and fresh perspectives will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success in promoting sustainability and driving positive change in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and beyond. We would like to warmly welcome the following people to the board of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein: Adrienne Williams | Group Vice President, Head of Corporate Responsibility | ABB Carrie Scott | Head, Sustainability and ESG Office | Novartis Florian Strasser | Group CEO & Chairman | GWF AG Nadia Kaddouri | Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer | Swissport Stefania Lallai | Vice President Sustainability Cargo Division | MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company We also had to say goodbye to three longstanding board members who made the difficult decision to step down. Their dedication, impactful contributions, and tireless efforts played a vital role in shaping our organisation and our initiatives. A big thank you to: Caroline Portmann | Head Sustainability Public Policy | Credit Suisse | appointed 2015 Marina Prada | Head Sustainability Performance | Syngenta Crop Protection AG | appointed 2018 Matthew Kilgarriff | Director of Corporate Social Responsibility | Richemont International SA | appointed 2014 Outlook: Planned Activities and Events 2023 The last point of the agenda was an outlook of the current and planned activities for 2023. The Secretariat team shared the latest information on the global strategy of the UN Global Compact and gave insights on different activites and events happening on a global level such as the new Communication on Progress (CoP) and the Leader Summit. Furthermore, the team gave a quick overview of the current focus areas and an outlook of the current and upcoming events. Some of the highlighted events and initiatives are listed in the slider below. For the full event list, please visit our event page. Exchange and Reception: Participant Stories and Inspiration After the official part of the General Assembly, the participants were invited to engage in an interactive session where Florian Klingel from Skat Consulting, Nadia Kaddouri from Swissport and Franics Froborg from Zühlke Group shared insights on challenges companies face when it comes to their sustainability transition. It was a thought-provoking discussion with many valuable inputs and questions from the audience that also helped the board and secretariat team to better understand where we can adjust our offerings to meet the needs of our participants. The General Assembly concluded on a joyous note with an apéro riche, where participants had the opportunity to connect and network. Sharing stories with like-minded people, exchanging ideas, and reaffirming our commitment inspired everyone to continue their mission of pursuiting a more sustainable and inclusive future. We would like to thank everyone who attended our General Assembly! We look forward to continue working with all of you.

Solar Appreciation Day is celebrated every March. This is a good opportunity to learn more about solar technology. Solar energy is a leading source of green energy and helps to mitigate climate change. According to the International Energy Agency, solar energy from photovoltaic cells (PV) accounted for ~3.6% of global electricity generation and remains the third-largest source of renewable energy, behind hydropower and wind The multinational construction company Hilti, shares how they use their recently created solar park to reduce CO2 and create more benefits for employees. Hilti takes the climate change challenge seriously Head of Corporate Sustainability at Hilti, Peter Rupp shares: “Why are we investing our resources in solar energy? Simply because it is good for the environment, highly motivating for our employees, and it typically comes with a good business case. This will benefit both the environment and our team members. Hence, we highly appreciate the abundant solar resource and plan to increase the usage of green energy in a future.” Hilti takes the challenge of climate change seriously, supporting a secure and sustainable future for all. Recently, we elevated our climate ambitions to an even higher level, committing to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). We made this significant promise because we want to contribute to the construction industry’s transformation to net zero and to support our customers in the race to decrease their carbon footprint. Pledging to set both, short- and long-term targets, our commitment dovetails with our efforts as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, which we joined more than 15 years ago. Operating in construction, Hilti has provided solutions and tools for construction professionals in more than 120 countries around the globe for over 80 years. We serve society through our industry, which provides people with the very basic need of a roof over their head. But construction is also known to generate around 40 percent of the world’s carbon footprint. We recognize this problem and we are actively working to decrease our carbon emissions. CO2 reduction and green energy at Hilti It's a tall order, to be sure. How do we resolve this need in our energy consumption strategy while also serving our employees? Easy. It’s very much in line with Hilti’s environmental values, a fact that attracts professionals who share our sustainability values, making them direct participants in our efforts to make construction better. We continuously reduce our direct CO2-emissions through efficiency measures, by using green electricity and, where possible, climate-friendly heating alternatives. Over the last two years, we have doubled our installed worldwide solar capacity every year, and we will continue to do so in the future. In areas where reducing energy consumption is not feasible, we aim to replace current energy sources with greener alternatives. Since 2020 we have been in the process of converting our global vehicle fleet to run on more environmentally friendly technologies, such as electricity, and we are constantly increasing the quantity of our PV systems. Solar energy to engage in sustainability and offer eco-friendly employee benefits With an eye towards both the environment and our employees, Hilti recently installed 88 new charging stations for electric vehicles, fueled by the sun, at corporate headquarters in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Since January 2023, our colleagues have been able to charge their e-vehicles at no cost. At any one time, the charging stations situated in Hilti’s HQ parking garage are generally two-thirds full. We have also created a local Microsoft Teams-based internal community of electrical vehicles users to make charging station usage even more efficient. This community helps to prevent charging bottlenecks, shares user insights and increases the engagement rate of our employees in sustainability, giving them an additional benefit. 100% green electricity for local needs Our new solar park is the largest in Liechtenstein. More than 4600 solar modules are installed on an area the size of 1.5 football fields. The system is installed on the roofs of the Hilti parking garage and the Hilti Innovation Center (IC), as well as on an open area next to the IC. With a total output of around 1.7 MWp, the generated electricity corresponds to the electricity consumed by approximately 700 households. All of this green energy is used by the company and covers about 10% of the total energy demand at headquarters. The remaining amount is exclusively covered by certified green electricity, which we have sourced for all Hilti locations worldwide since 2020. This PV initiative is part of the green mobility concept that offers environmentally friendly alternatives for our employees to commute to work, for example by using bicycles, electric bikes, public transportation or carpooling. Author Olga Zharkova Corporate Communications Hilti Group | olga.zharkova@hilti.com About Hilti The Hilti Group supplies the worldwide construction and energy industries with technologically leading products, systems, software and services. With about 32,000 team members in over 120 countries the company stands for direct customer relationships, quality and innovation. Hilti generated annual sales of more than CHF 6.3 billion in 2022. The headquarters of the Hilti Group have been located in Schaan, Liechtenstein, since its founding in 1941. The company is privately owned by the Martin Hilti Family Trust, which ensures its long-term continuity. The Hilti Group’s strategic orientation is based on a caring and performance-oriented culture and the goals of creating enthusiastic customers and building a better future.

As we enter 2023, we are propelled by the positivity from the landmark deal and key targets agreed as part of the COP15 Global Biodiversity Framework in Montreal. Discussions and panels at The World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted the need for corporate biodiversity risk disclosure frameworks pinning hope on the emergence of the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures). There is no question that financial markets recognise the nature dependency of the global economy. The World Economic Forum estimates that roughly half of the global GDP, or about $44 trillion of economic value, depends on the natural world in some shape or form, an awakening to the financial markets, meaning its demise carries a huge financial toll. The new targets set at COP15 declared for financial firms to disclose their biodiversity footprint and most significantly Target 15 of the GBF (Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) states that financial institutions should "Regularly monitor, assess, and transparently disclose their risks, dependencies and impacts (...) along their operations, supply and value chains and portfolios". With the emergence of these new frameworks and nature markets, what are the opportunities for the private sector? There is huge demand from financial institutions and investors who don’t have an auditable way to invest in nature. What’s required is the emergence of nature-based solutions focusing on alleviating the risk, that can’t be eliminated, using a standardised metric framework. Increasing transparency on supply chain impact on nature loss will give investors and corporations the opportunity to accurately target opportunities to increase biodiversity, and mitigate the risk. Technological advances allow us to easily declare climate and nature risk through asset-based geolocation, from emerging startups such as Quantifying Nature and other financial risk frameworks such as the TNFD. Advances in geo spatial data allow us to accurately identify critical landscapes in need of urgent funding and channel it at scale. According to Juha Siikamäki, Chief Economist at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “we need to figure out how to scale up the projects and drive down the transaction costs.”(Environmental Finance, 2023). THE ARK is one solution for the public and private sector to accurately target and mitigate business supply chain risk at scale. THE ARK’s access to the conservation industry makes it a portal to a multitude of conservation engagements categorised by sector, geography, SDG, ESG and more. Biodiversity engagements and their metrics vary depending on the landscape and environment, however the framework enables baselines and targets to be set by conservationists and investors to construct their global project portfolio and track their performance. Accurate and verified real time data allows corporations and organisations to account for biodiversity gain, adjust corporate operations and contribute before the harm occurs. Using various temporal, numeric and spatial data feeds THE ARK can take areas such as palm oil plantations and evaluate its nature impact over time and propose opportunities to mitigate or adapt. At the recent launch of the GAEA (Giving to Amplify Earth Action) initiative in Davos, Per Heggenes, Chief Executive Officer, IKEA Foundation, said ‘The global figure of philanthropic capital for climate mitigation currently stands under 2% and that is not acceptable. But this is also a massive opportunity to leverage philanthropic giving for climate action.' THE ARK provides a solution by offering investments in philanthropy but also different asset classes such as blended finance. In order for the financial sector to actively and positively engage in reducing biodiversity loss, tackle climate change and reach net zero by 2050, it will require the collaboration of major philanthropists, public and private sector organisations to mobilise mainstream finance direct to grass roots, credible conservationists at scale.The issue of biodiversity loss is immediate and devastating with species being wiped out daily, the reduction in loss requires the private sector and philanthropists to act now. Author Qasim Abbas Co-Founder THE ARK | LinkedIn More about THE ARK Website: www.theark.co Video: www.theark.co/video

ZURICH, Switzerland, December 8, 2022 – The UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein is a legally independent business association and only official platform of the New York-based United Nations Global Compact in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In regard to the recent public discussions around Migros’ participation in the UN Global Compact, we would like to confirm that Migros has been a participant of the UN Global Compact Switzerland & Liechtenstein in the past. However, in 2019 Migros decided to not renew their participation due to cost reasons. Ever since Migros has not been a participating member of the UN Global Compact. About the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein We seek to promote responsible business practices by stimulating multi-stakeholder dialogue, providing knowledge, tools and mutual learning for businesses in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to engage in corporate responsibility and sustainability. We support companies to align their corporate strategies and operations with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and to take actions to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact Antonio Hautle Executive Director UN Global Compact Switzerland & Liechtenstein antonio.hautle@globalcompact.ch

UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and Liechtenstein published the study "Addressing Children's Rights in Business - An Assessment from Switzerland and Liechtenstein". This baseline study examines what knowledge companies have regarding children's rights, how children's rights are considered and embedded in their daily activities and company policies, and what challenges companies face regarding children's rights. The study coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Children's Rights and Business Principles (CRBP). Based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the CRBP highlight the breadth of potential impacts for businesses on children and children's rights and provide guidance for businesses on how to fulfil their responsibility to respect children's rights. Challenges for children’s rights in business Companies see various challenges and opportunities for advancing children’s rights and most of them are related to tackling child labor risks. While companies are aware of child labor risks, interview partners report that insufficient capacity and expertise are key obstacles to effectively prohibiting child labor in value chains. “The main obstacle to advancing children’s rights in companies is the perceived low relevance of children’s rights to the company.” The current study highlights the diverse impacts of companies on children and their rights - both in their supply chains and in their own business activities in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is particularly striking that companies are mostly unaware of the breadth of child rights issues that may be relevant to them. Rather, they reduce children's rights in the value chain to the fight against child labour and made no connection to other commitments relevant to children's rights, such as in the environmental sector or family friendliness. Many companies indicate that they lack the capacities and knowledge to more deeply engage on children’s rights issues. In terms of opportunities, the survey responses suggest that gaining additional expertise through training or collaborations with expert organizations on children’s rights is considered most impactful. Key insights Most companies do not engage specifically with children’s rights but are generally committed to human rights. Companies’ awareness of children’s rights goes beyond child labor. However, in corporate policies, children’s rights are mostly reduced to child labor in the value chain. Companies prioritize three children’s rights and business principles: elimination of child labor, product safety, and safety of children on-site and in business facilities. Overall, companies have limited awareness of the full range of children’s rights in business. Most corporate activities in relation to children are philanthropic in nature. These activities focus mostly on providing for children (e.g., education or healthcare), and less on the protection and participation of children. Tools and management systems to implement children’s rights in business (e.g., governance, monitoring, remediation) require further development. Emerging due diligence legislations raise companies’ awareness of children’s rights and create momentum for advancing children's rights in business. The study was conducted by the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights and the Centre for Children's Rights Studies at the University of Geneva. The results are based on a desk analysis of publicly available documents from 60 companies, an online survey with 54 participating companies and 15 in-depth interviews. Download the whole report here.

SSF und GCNSL set up a Swiss consultation group for the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD). We are all directly affected by the biodiversity crisis. Our different ecosystems supply us with food, raw materials and energy – but only if they are intact. Loss of biodiversity therefore threatens not only our livelihood, but also poses a major risk for businesses. To lay the foundation to identify and quantify the associated risks at an early stage – Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein (GCNSL) are collaborating with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD). They established a Swiss TNFD consultation group to promote the TNFD frameworks for identifying nature-related risks in Switzerland and to actively support their continuous development. The financial risk of biodiversity loss Companies – not just in the financial services industry, but in other sectors too – do not have the necessary information to fully understand how the loss of biodiversity can impact their business activity and the resulting financial risks over the longer term. SSF CEO Sabine Döbeli comments: “Although biodiversity issues are remarkably well documented, financial institutions and companies still lack suitable data records and instruments to enable them to effectively incorporate nature-related risks and opportunities into their strategic planning and risk management, as well as their financing and investment decisions. By setting up the Swiss TNFD consultation group, Swiss Sustainable Finance is laying the groundwork with the intention of raising awareness of the topic within the financial services industry and supporting stakeholders in performing the necessary risk assessment.” However, the financial industry can only evaluate the associated risks if they have meaningful and comparable information available on the businesses they finance. The cooperation with GCNSL ensures that companies across all sectors have access to the same level of knowledge. “The purpose of local TNFD consultation groups is to raise awareness of the TNFD’s work and increase the number of institutions providing feedback on the beta version of the framework – through pilot testing as well. Over the longer term, local consultation groups play a pivotal role in disseminating the TNFD framework,” explains Antonio Hautle, Executive Director of GCNSL. The Swiss consultation group The objectives of the Swiss consultation group were presented at an event organised as part of the Building Bridges Week in Geneva. Representatives from the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF), SSF, GCNSL, UBS, Nestlé and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) discussed approaches for collecting the relevant data and studied examples of how such risks can be quantified, and how promoting biodiversity creates opportunities for all players in a supply chain. The TNFD was established in June 2021 with the aim of developing and providing a risk management and disclosure framework for organisations. TNFD is supported by G7 and G20 leaders and a wide range of market participants, and has a market-led taskforce of 34 members from business and finance, representing sectors with high natural risks on all continents, and more than 18 trillion US dollars in assets under management. Contact: Sabine Döbeli, CEO Swiss Sustainable Finance +41 44 515 60 52 sabine.doebeli@sustainablefinance.ch www.sustainablefinance.ch Antonio Hautle, Executive Director UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein +41 44 421 35 75 antonio.hautle@globalcompact.ch www.globalcompact.ch Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) The mission of Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) is to strengthen Switzerland’s position as a leading voice and actor in sustainable finance, thereby contributing to a sustainable and prosperous economy. The association, founded in 2014, has representative offices in Zurich, Geneva and Lugano. Currently, SSF unites over 210 members and network partners from financial service providers, investors, universities and business schools, public-sector entities and other interested organisations. Through research, capacity-building and the development of practical tools and supportive frameworks, SSF fosters the integration of sustainability factors into all financial services. An overview of SSF’s current members and partners can be found on its website: sustainablefinance.ch UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein The UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein (GCNSL) is the official platform of the UN Global Compact in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We seek to mobilize and motivate businesses to engage in corporate responsibility and sustainability. We support companies in aligning their corporate strategies, operations and their culture with the UN Global Compact Ten Principles (human rights, labor standards, environment, anti-corruption) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Responsible Business Initiative - to protect people and the environment - was rejected. What exactly does this mean for Swiss Companies? On Sunday, 29.11.2020, the popular initiative "For responsible companies - to protect people and the environment" was rejected. The cantonal vote sealed the fate of the initiative. However, the initiative succeeded in capturing 50.7% of the popular vote. The counter-proposal will enter into force after the deadline of the optional referendum of 100 days, provided that no optional referendum is held. But what does this mean exactly for Swiss businesses? What does the counter-proposal entail? We have compiled the most important information for you. Please find it here . We believe that, in capturing the popular vote, corporate responsibility and sustainability as well as the respect of Human Rights Due Diligence in value chains is an important concern for the Swiss population. This gives us an even stronger incentive to support our current and potential members in their engagement for responsible and transparent business practices. We would like to join forces and invite companies and organisations to take this call very seriously, as our credibility will rely on our actions.

Reflections on the occasion of 50 years of women's suffrage in Switzerland by Véronique Goy Veenhuys Founder of Fondation EQUAL-SALARY On February 7, 1971, Swiss men voted to amend the Constitution, thus granting Swiss women the same political rights as Swiss men (65.7% yes against 34.2% no). Swiss women can now vote, elect, be elected and sign initiatives and referendums. A milestone in the history of Swiss women's rights, the result of a long list of unheeded demands [1] , the culmination of the perseverance of committed women and women's associations who demanded the same political rights for women. than those granted to Swiss men. Each amendment of the Constitution is a major milestone in the history of equality between women and men by bringing legitimacy to the highest level of what is right. In 1971, through the right to vote, women gained access to the sphere of political power. Women's access to the economic sphere followed with the inclusion of Equality between women and men in the Federal Constitution in 1981 and the Equality Act in 1991, which emphasizes equality in professional life. The prohibition on discrimination applies to hiring, assignment of tasks, working conditions, remuneration, training and development, promotions and dismissal. Sexual harassment at work is also considered to be discrimination [2] . The latest revision of the Equality Act, which came into force on July 1, 2020, requires all companies with more than 100 employees to carry out a wage analysis. As with the demonstration in Berne in 1969 which led to the women's vote in 1971, the pressure came from the streets on June 14, 2019 during the 2nd women's strike. Following the strike, women’s representation in the government increased from 32 to 42% for the National Council and from 15 to 26% in the Council of States in autumn 2019 election. These politicians finally tipped the balance by endorsing the reform in favor of equal pay reform. However, these legislative advances are struggling to have a significant effect on equality and more specifically on equal pay and equal opportunities between women and men in practice. Salary is the yardstick of recognition in our economic system. Ensuring equal pay means ensuring the fair distribution of income to enable everyone to assume their economic responsibilities. Ensuring equal pay means allowing women to evolve in the economic world in the same way as men do. It is giving them equal importance and a place at the negotiating and decision-making table. It also means recognizing that women have as much influence in our society as men. Ensuring equal pay is therefore the logical development of our society. More generally, in the world we live in, equality cannot exist without equal pay. Pay equality is the basis, the cornerstone towards equality between women and men in the broadest sense. Although most employers claim to practice equal pay for women and men, 15 years after the launch of EQUAL-SALARY certification, figures show that there is still a significant pay gap in all countries, of which – for Switzerland - around 40% is due to discrimination. According to OECD data, women were still earning 15.1% less than men in 2018 in Switzerland [3] . The responsibility for calculating wages lies with employers. Remuneration, which is strongly linked to recognition of work performed, is said to be fair when it is calculated according to objective factors. Otherwise, there is a risk of discrimination, when wages are established randomly or according to subjective criteria. Objective factors may vary from one company to another. In order to set fair pay, it is essential to recognize them, to determine which objective factors will be taken into account in defining wages and to be able to measure them. 50 years ... to obtain the right to vote, then the same rights as men and equal pay. 1971, 1981, 1996, 2020 are the milestones towards equality, dates that have contributed to the enhancement of women’s contribution to our country’s economy. Beyond the need for companies to attract and retain talent and demonstrate compliance with Good Governance, the macroeconomic balance is also at stakes (impact on tax revenues, social charges and pensions). Equal pay is a demonstration of respect, instills confidence, promotes confidence and stimulates motivation, and not only for women. More than ever the economy needs women. Because society and the economy simply cannot afford not to take full account of half of the population, both in terms of resources - to compensate for demographic factors such as the downward trend in male labor force participation or the challenge of traditional family organization – and for the diversity of points of view it brings. Every small step, every decision, every new measure helps to amplify the movement of equality for women and men. This movement feeds on itself and is irreversible. Over the years, many men have joined the movement because equality benefits men too. So, all together, women and men, onwards we go! Vevey, Jan 27, 2021 [1] https://ch2021.ch/fr/histoire/ [2] https://www.ekf.admin.ch/ekf/fr/home.html [3] https://data.oecd.org/fr/earnwage/ecart-salarial-femmes-hommes.htm

Benedikt Jaschke, Chief Quality Officer and Member of the Management Board, Kempinski Hotels on how Kempinski is building back better How has COVID impacted the way your customers research and book your services? We have seen an increase in demand for certification in regard to cleanliness and hygiene but also CSR commitment. Guests are far more sensitive to these topics than they used to be. To assure the highest level of hygiene and to protect guests and employees alike, we have established the Kempinski White Glove Service, taking into consideration all aspects of our daily operation. Guests reacted extremely positively as they were given full confidence in the cleanliness and disinfection of our premises. A good indicator of the shift in booking habits is that booking websites prominently display the standards hotels apply to assure safety for guests, even if in our segment, as I believe, it is expected by guests that, besides the local regulations, the hotels operate under the highest hygiene standards anyway. In addition, CSR plays a crucial role in the booking process and needs to meet the demands of today’s travellers. Our sustainability programmes consist of various initiatives directed towards reducing energy and water consumption, minimising waste, eliminating single-use plastic, maximising the engagement and wellbeing of employees, promoting the contribution to the health of local communities, preventing a breach of human rights, improving sustainable procurement practices in our supply chain and offering sustainable products and services, such as sustainable meetings. We work on a wide range of initiatives, such as EarthCheck, Clean the World, Soap for Hope and Linen for Masks and, wherever possible, implement these globally or at a local level. Do you believe this is a chance for a more sustainable tourism model? The latest tourism studies have shown that 70% of global travellers say they would be more likely to book accommodation knowing it was eco-friendly, and 55% of global travellers report being more determined to make sustainable travel choices compared to last year. I believe that in the corporate and leisure segment, the sustainability factor will become more and more important and offers a great chance for the industry to shift to a more sustainable way, concentrating again more on seasonality, locally produced goods, the support for local initiatives but, even more importantly, investing in education and training for the community, giving employment to the local population and embedding culture and traditions in the properties. In a few words, if customers demand a more sustainable way, we as hoteliers will follow and have the opportunity of gaining a higher market share by leading the change. How do you think tourism will evolve over the next few years? Leisure tourism will become more and more a way to explore the local culture and to get an understanding of the place we are travelling to. The integration of the hotels in the local community and the shift of mind to a more "giving back" mentality will happen as a necessity in response to the increased demand of the guests. Governmental regulations, a smaller amount of resources and the increase in cost of natural resources will force hospitality to adapt and change to be able to still operate in a profitable way. Guests want to enjoy a holiday guilt-free and not have to justify themselves, once home again. We are aware of this and constantly work on adjusting our offers. Picture: Benedikt Jaschke

Lena Melcher, Head of Marketing at Viatu on how Viatu is creating a long-term net positive impact in their destinations by prioritising the interests of people, wildlife & the environment Before the Coronavirus pandemic, crowded attractions and jam-packed destinations were a common sight. Overtourism was burdening destinations, communities and environments – being effectively unsustainable. Is this the opportunity to redesign travel as we know it? As the Coronavirus started waving across the globe, strict lockdowns and travel restrictions saw worn-out destinations regain their balance as travelling was no longer an option. Decreased tourists resulted in a reduction of crowds, pollution and adverse effects on local communities. And the current pandemic has largely affected travellers’ behaviours too. Nowadays, they are eager to explore remote destinations at a slower pace, seeking to immerse in local cultures. They are also likely to book last-minute trips because of fast-changing travel restrictions. This behaviour is enhanced by the pre-existing digital trend of booking with 52% of millennial travellers arranging trips online and 25% doing so from their mobile phones [1] . One thing is for sure though - not travelling at all is not the answer. Just because old-fashioned tourism was unsustainable does not mean that tourism as a whole can’t change. When managed, directed and guided with sustainability at its core, tourism has the capacity to create lasting effects on local communities and largely contribute to the conservation and preservation of the environment and wildlife. For this reason, we believe that this crisis is a chance to rethink travel. A recent study found that 76% of travellers are more concerned about sustainability after COVID proving that they believe the sector needs reform as well. However, the same study shows that only 55% of travel businesses implement a sustainability strategy – indicating an evident gap [2] . Travellers’ principles should be matched by the tourism industry, presenting a unique opportunity to redefine travel collaboratively. Current trends reveal that travellers desire to support local businesses and initiatives that are eco-friendly and look for sustainably managed travel options. Given consumer trends and the pandemic, travel in the future must become more conscious and sustainable - preserving destinations rather than exhausting them. To achieve this goal, the focus should be on promoting encounters and experiences with local people and the support of local businesses as well as the protection and conservation of nature and wildlife. Tourism stakeholders need to develop new strategies that incorporate sustainable practices to support this movement. This is the beginning of a new, more sustainable era of tourism. At Viatu, we aim to create a long-term net positive impact in our destinations by prioritising the interests of people, wildlife & the environment. If not now, when? Author: Lena Melcher, Head of Marketing at Viatu References: 1. Passport, December 2020, Digital Travel Innovation Across The Traveller Journey 2. Passport, December 2020, From Sustainability to Purpose: Roadmap to Recovery for Travel and Tourism

In 2019, Nestlé committed to reaching net zero emissions by no later than 2050. As the world’s largest food and beverage company this is no small undertaking. Following detailed and rigorous work across our company, in December 2020 we published out net zero roadmap , charting a course for reducing emissions over the next 30 years or so. This objective involves our whole company – with every business, brand and employee playing their part. Almost every week brings a new initiative or project designed to reduce, remove or compensate emissions across our value chain. This month we’ve joined other companies and partners in launching the ‘ Rimba Collective’ – safeguarding 500,000 hectares of tropical forests in South East Asia. And we’ve just announced that one of our biggest brands – KitKat – will reach carbon neutrality by 2025. No single company can go it alone on climate, of course. That’s why collective action is crucial in the effort to fast-track progress and avoid the worst scenarios indicated by science. Nestlé advocates for positive changes from policy makers to bring about the big system changes we need to see – from enabling access to electric and hydrogen trucks, to ensuring robust systems are in place to account for carbon reductions. Looking ahead, we’re focused on making an absolute cut in emissions of 20% by 2025, even as our company grows. By 2030, this objective rises to cutting emissions by 50% against our 2018 baseline. One major contributor is the introduction of regenerative agricultural practices for our key food ingredients. We look forward to working with our suppliers and farmers on this in the years to come. And finally, its essential for us to bring all our stakeholders along on the journey – including investors. At our Annual General Meeting on April 15, we received the backing of more than 95% of them for our roadmap, sending a strong signal of support for the work we are undertaking. You can see more on our plans in the following video, and be sure to check our Twitter and LinkedIn accounts for the latest climate news from Nestlé: Author: Owen Bethell, Senior Manager Environmental Impact, Global Public Affairs, Nestlé