In 2021, 10 environmental incidents concerning a VINCI subsidiary or its subcontractors were identified. These incidents involve cases of pollution having required clean-up by external specialists and that have consequences stretching beyond the boundaries of the entity or worksite. For the most part, the incidents identified in 2021 involved oil or emulsion leaks as a result of damage caused to site machinery or equipment. The appropriate actions to avoid release into the environment and any specific treatments required were put in place rapidly by the teams (evacuation of contaminated soil, installation of containment barriers, pumping, chemical analysis, etc.). A small quantity of concrete was also spilled at a worksite in a coastal area. There was no impact on the maritime environment thanks to the procedures put in place right away (floating boom, pumping of turbid water and inspection of the environment using an underwater drone).
For construction companies, this issue covers several aspects and requires a range of appropriate measures: limiting emissions due to the use of machinery and vehicles, protecting indoor air quality in new and existing buildings, etc. In 2021, VINCI Construction France further developed the IAQ Ready programme, an indoor air quality management plan for all buildings and every project phase. This approach is used to control impacts during construction and provides a global approach during the work performance phase to raise awareness about good practices, equip the site, check systems and materials, and monitor air quality to anticipate customer requirements.
To reduce the amount of dust produced, earthworks sites and quarries hose down operation areas whenever needed. Additionally, during the earthworks phase, operators first make sure that weather conditions are suitable before beginning soil stabilisation work. In some cases, special equipment (gauges, etc.) is installed to measure dust levels. Connected monitoring tools used to monitor the consumption of worksite machines helps reduce their emissions (see paragraph 3.2.1, “Reducing the Group’s direct emissions scope (Scopes 1 and 2)”, page 210).
For the VINCI Concessions companies operating airports and motorway infrastructure, most air emissions are generated by users of aircraft, cars, trucks, etc. The entities concerned take several measures to reduce these emissions (see paragraph 3.2.1.2, “Monitoring performance”, page 213). VINCI Airports measures air quality at the London Gatwick, Nantes Atlantique, Lyon-Saint Exupéry, Lisbon, Porto and Funchal airports. London Gatwick implements a local programme to continuously monitor air quality, which shows that local air pollution has steadily dropped over the past two decades, due to long-term improvements in standards for aircraft engines, fuel, road vehicles, etc.
Group businesses can be responsible for noise pollution and vibrations caused by traffic on the infrastructure in operation, works carried out by companies and quarry operations. VINCI projects are subject to a preliminary noise study to limit the pollution generated by urban construction sites, motorway traffic and so forth. Based on findings, technical solutions can be offered for the construction and operating phases, including adaptations to a motorway route, erecting noise barriers and embankments, etc.
In the Group’s construction activities, entities employ different techniques to reduce noise from worksites. Measurements to determine the impact of vibrations and noise from VINCI Construction facilities (fixed sites and worksites) are carried out on a regular basis and monitored. For example, classified facilities for the protection of the environment (ICPE) monitor the noise impact of facilities, and major construction sites are also monitored in this way.
In the Concessions businesses, noise levels on motorways in France are monitored regularly for their noise footprint to enable VINCI’s motorway concession companies to identify and absorb noise black spots. Homes and other buildings that qualify are protected individually using noise insulation in their facades, or are protected at the noise source by noise barriers or embankments planted with shrubs or trees. Since 2010, 7,810 homes have been protected from noise on VINCI Autoroutes motorways. The A355 project was designed to achieve good noise performance with the installation of 11,470 sq. metres of noise barriers, a cut-and-cover tunnel, and an adapted road surface. For its part, VINCI Airports takes measures to reduce noise pollution as much as possible for local residents at all of its airports in operation. These measures include a system that continuously monitors noise and flight paths – with results posted online, noise insulation for nearby housing, and studies and action plans to reduce noise. Initiatives supporting dialogue and consultation with local residents have also been taken by LISEA along the South Europe Atlantic high-speed rail line.
The light required for the operations and safety of some Group activities can be a source of light pollution. To limit this light pollution, opaque screens can be installed along motorways and adapted lighting systems (light directed only at points that need to be lit for user and employee safety) set up at worksites and concessions in operation. VINCI Energies frequently collaborates with universities and design firms to develop public lighting projects that limit light pollution and respect existing dark corridors to preserve local fauna.
VINCI companies develop solutions to measure and control pollution, in particular urban air quality, to be used by public officials. Eurovia has developed NOxer®, an innovative air pollution treatment that removes nitrogen oxides. The process removes between 15% and 25% of total air pollution generated by traffic and eliminates up to 75% of nitrogen oxides for local residents. The solution has been adapted and combined with noise barriers to abate noise pollution as well. To reduce both air and soil pollution, VINCI Energies offers its customers a service using drones to check for different types of leaks at their industrial facilities. Several VINCI Construction entities also offer their customers land remediation solutions (Navarra TS, Extract, etc.). Citeos (VINCI Energies) offers to reduce light pollution through measures incorporated into its contracts for operating public lighting networks. These measures include efficient anti-light pollution equipment, smart lighting systems, automatic shutdown of certain light sources, and consideration for “dark corridors” (reservoirs and corridors suitable for nocturnal species). For example, on the lighting project for the Jacques-Gabriel bridge in Blois in central France, the teams worked in partnership with ecologists who recommended light sources not to be directed directly towards the water surface. Also, lighting colour is adjusted for the time of day and the season, based on the species present (warmer lighting during the nesting period, etc.).
