In 2022, the use of biodegradable oil was extended to all machinery operated by VINCI Construction Terrassement (Networks France Division), replacing mineral-based hydraulic oil. All VINCI Energies Canada Infra worksites use anti-pollution mats (EnviroPad®) to contain accidental spills. Accidental pollution simulation tests are performed regularly to ensure that all employees concerned understand what to do in the event of an incident.
For construction companies, this issue covers several aspects and requires a range of appropriate measures.
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. At worksites in cities, tarps can surround the operations area to reduce the amount of dust in the air. Connected monitoring tools used to monitor the consumption of site machines helps reduce their emissions (see paragraph 3.2.1, “Reducing the Group’s direct emissions (Scopes 1 and 2)”, page 229).
For the VINCI Concessions companies operating airports and motorway infrastructure, most air emissions are generated by users of internal combustion engines in aircraft, cars, trucks, etc. The entities concerned take several measures to reduce these emissions (see paragraph 3.2.1.2, “Monitoring performance”, page 232). VINCI Airports measures air quality at the London Gatwick, Nantes Atlantique, Lyon-Saint Exupéry, Lisbon, Porto and Funchal airports. At Nantes Atlantique, measurements show a clear improvement in 2022, with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations down about 60% on average compared with previous summer measurement campaigns.
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 worksites, 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) and major worksites monitor their noise levels and report them to their stakeholders. Charters are also put in place to minimise worksite nuisances. One example is the Cœur d’Aéroport project near Marseille, where VINCI Construction monitors the noise level and vibrations caused and discloses the results.
In the Concessions business, 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. The A355 project was designed to achieve good noise performance with the installation of noise protection systems, including 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 (for London Gatwick, Nantes Atlantique, Lyon-Saint Exupéry, Lisbon, Porto and Belgrade) 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, when conditions allow.
VINCI companies develop solutions to be used by public officials to measure and control pollution relating to urban air quality. VINCI Construction 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. In line with regulations, Navarra TS (Networks France Division) provides local authorities and industrial companies with a comprehensive range of services featuring state-of-the-art techniques and expertise. Wherever possible, sustainable, in situ solutions are given priority for cleaning up chemical pollution. In 2022, the teams from Extract (Civil Engineering France Division) continued their land remediation work, notably at a former fuel depot in La Courneuve. Nearly 70,000 cu. metres of excavated material was extracted, analysed and sorted. A total of 37,000 cu. metres was used in bio-batteries, i.e. battery cells powered by organic compounds, to supply electricity for the site, while another 10,000 cu. metres was treated in situ.
VINCI Energies frequently collaborates with universities and design firms to develop public lighting projects that limit light pollution and respect existing “dark corridors” (reservoirs and corridors suitable for nocturnal species) to preserve local fauna. Citeos 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.
