3.1.3 Market opportunities from the environmental transition
3.1.3.1 Main market opportunities identified
Through its businesses in building and operating rail transport infrastructure, urban development and water treatment, and its expertise in the construction and maintenance of buildings and low-carbon energy supply infrastructure, VINCI plays a central role in the energy and environmental transition. The long-term prospects of VINCI’s activities and its continued market leadership will depend on its ability to recognise and anticipate these risks and opportunities that come with climate change. In addition to assessing and mitigating the climate impact of its activities, VINCI is developing its businesses and know-how to deliver solutions for its customers that address the major challenges of the environmental transition. These solutions focus on the following topical issues:
- Accelerating energy renovation (see paragraph 3.2.2.1, “Actions to reduce indirect emissions”, page 235). The energy renovation market generated €800 million in revenue for VINCI Construction in 2022 (compared with approximately €600 million in 2021) and is expected to expand further. In addition to leading renovation projects, VINCI has also developed innovative solutions to support thermal building renovation and gives its customers the opportunity to improve their efficiency through arrangements such as energy performance contracts (EPC).
- Developing low-carbon mobility (see paragraph 3.2.2.1, “Actions to reduce indirect emissions”, page 235). VINCI develops solutions that contribute to decarbonising transport, such as installing charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles and supplying these stations for the motorway network it operates under concession.
- Soil unsealing and land rehabilitation (see paragraph 3.4.3, “Biodiversity preservation”, page 250). To help conserve water resources, preserve biodiversity and recreate natural environments if necessary, VINCI has developed expertise in environmental engineering.
- Supporting the transition to low-carbon energy, through an integrated offer of financing, construction, connection and maintenance of renewable energy production facilities (solar power plants, wind power projects, etc.). VINCI is also involved in developing low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure.
- Climate change adaptation (see paragraph 3.2.3, “Resilience of projects and structures”, page 239). VINCI provides regions with concrete solutions to address climate change, including the construction and financing of infrastructure adaptation projects (sea walls, tunnels, bridges, water desalination plants, etc.) and the eco-design of adapted buildings.
These market opportunities that could benefit the entire Group are detailed in paragraph 4.4.1, “Mapping of the Group’s major risks”, of the Group’s duty of vigilance plan, page 273.
3.1.3.2 Environmental labels
VINCI aims to bring its suppliers, subcontractors, partners and customers on board to reduce their environmental impact by integrating eco-design to a greater extent into Group operations and through new service offerings. The number of certified projects is growing year by year, enabling the Group to widely demonstrate its expertise and how it embeds environmental sustainability into its operations. In 2022, the volume of business represented by projects having earned external certifications or labels amounted to €5.5 billion for more than 1,100 projects delivered or in the process of being delivered by VINCI Construction, VINCI Immobilier and VINCI Energies.
Most of the certifications and labels awarded in 2022 were BREEAM®, LEED® or E+C–:
- The project to upgrade Roucas-Blanc water sports stadium in Marseille, the venue for the sailing competition as part of the sporting events mostly taking place in and near Paris in the summer of 2024. This project has made the environment a priority, with a target to recycle or reuse 90% of the site’s demolition materials, reduce water and energy consumption, install green roofs, and use low-carbon concrete and bio-sourced materials. Set to eventually become the new municipal water sports centre, the facility aims to achieve the Silver level under the Bâtiments Durables Méditerranéens (BDM) initiative, Effinature certification, and Energy 3 and Carbon 1 under the E+C– label.
- The To-Lyon property programme featuring a 43-storey office tower, certified NF HQE™ Exceptionnel and BREEAM® Excellent, a four-star hotel with BREEAM® Very Good certification, 3,000 sq. metres of retail space and an underground car park.
- The Initia project, built by VINCI Immobilier on the southern outskirts of Toulouse, which is one of the first in France to be awarded Energy 4 and Carbon 1 under the E+C– label. As part of this land recycling programme, materials such as asphalt and concrete from existing constructions will be reused for roads and car parks, and as much of the remaining materials as possible will be sent to waste recovery facilities. Efforts are also being pursued to optimise soil revegetation and unsealing. Energy production will outweigh consumption with the installation of 1,500 sq. metres of solar panels and a collective wood boiler to reduce carbon impact.
- The Terre d’Émergence complex in Strasbourg, which includes two office buildings with respective floor areas of 4,400 sq. metres and 5,100 sq. metres, a four-star hotel with 170 rooms, and a four-star extended-stay hotel with 80 rooms. The development aims to be certified BREEAM® Very Good.
- the Lightwell office building restructuring project at La Défense, which also aims for very high environmental standards (NF HQE™ Exceptionnel, BREEAM® Excellent and the BBC Effinergie Rénovation RT−40% label) by focusing on conserving resources and maximising energy efficiency: land rehabilitation around the building, protection of two-thirds of the existing structure, use of bio-sourced materials, reuse of the old stone façade, installation of an externally insulated façade, and recycling or reuse of more than 85% of waste.
- The emblematic project to renovate the Royal Mansour Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, which aims for BREEAM® and LEED® certification.
The new building will be converted into a high-rise built to the best international standards.
Customers are also increasingly interested in BiodiverCity® certification:
- The Jardin des Sens programme in Vaucresson, winner of the first edition of the “Inventing the Greater Paris Metropolis” call for projects, received the BiodiverCity® label. The complex develops agroforestry and recovers heat produced by the A86 motorway tunnel to supply 50% of the heating needs for the residential units.
- The athletes’ village in Saint-Denis aims for high-level certifications for new office buildings, such as HQE™ Bâtiment durable, BREEAM® Excellent, BiodiverCity®, and Energy 2 and Carbon 2 under the E+C– label.
