–At VINCI Concessions, the Fonds SEA pour la Transition des Territoires continues to support ecological transition projects and integration via economic activity in the farming and construction sectors. Thanks to the dedication of the members of the technical committee representing Ademe, the Nouvelle Aquitaine regional authority, the Regional Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (Draaf) and INAÉ (a network of integration structures), 26 projects were selected in 2023 as part of the second call for projects entitled “Supporting local and sustainable farming”. To promote and protect biodiversity along its sites in operation, VINCI Concessions has formed partnerships with the non-profit organisation Aéro Biodiversité (for the Rennes Bretagne, Dinard Bretagne and Annecy Mont-Blanc airports), with the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Savoie (for Chambéry airport) and with Comenius University in Bratislava (for the Via Pribina expressway in Slovakia).
-VINCI Construction is a member of environment committees and professional associations such as, in France, EGF BTP, the road association Routes de France as well as the national federations of civil engineering contractors (FNTP), quarries and building materials producers (Unicem) and aggregate producers (UNPG). VINCI Construction’s ecological engineering companies are active in France’s federation of ecological engineering firms (UPGE). VINCI Construction’s environmental actions often require the involvement of local structures, especially when it comes to preserving biodiversity. Commitments must therefore be adapted to the specific regional context and are determined in conjunction with local nature conservation partners. In France, over 50 local partnerships have been formed to take concrete action to preserve biodiversity at quarries and worksites, transforming work methods. Its long-standing partnership with Patrimoine Naturel (a collaborative research and education entity focused on natural heritage, also known as PatriNat – under the aegis of France’s National Museum of Natural History, the National Centre for Scientific Research and the French Office for Biodiversity – has inspired VINCI Construction to take action through its “Entreprises engagées pour la nature” programme.
Along with their institutional partnerships, VINCI companies engage in continuous dialogue with stakeholders. They strengthen communication with local residents near worksites and infrastructure in operation, through information meetings, improved signposting, worksite visits and new communication channels:
Other partnerships are mentioned in paragraphs 3.2, “Acting for the climate” (page 233), 3.3, “Optimising resources thanks to the circular economy” (page 246) and 3.4, “Preserving natural environments” (page 252).
Climate change is a reality: global temperatures have risen by more than 1°C compared with pre-industrial levels, leading to more frequent and more intense extreme weather events each year. According to the climate models published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in relation to the SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, current production and consumption practices could see temperatures rise by around 2.8°C to 5.7 °C by the end of this century, resulting in major and irreversible shifts that could affect all aspects of society. The IPCC’s Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels details the consequences for people and the planet, while its Sixth Assessment Report presents the most compelling evidence to date that human activities are causing climate change, and stresses the need for available adaptation and mitigation solutions.
The transport infrastructure and construction sectors in which VINCI operates account for more than 50% of annual greenhouse gas emissions and are also significantly exposed to risks associated with climate change. Climate risk has been included in the Group’s risk analysis for several years (see paragraph 1.5, “Environmental risks”, of chapter D, “Risk factors and management procedures”, page 182). VINCI has also carried out in-depth analyses to better assess and manage climate-related risks relating to its activities (see paragraph 4.4.1, “Mapping of the Group’s major environmental risks”, of the Group’s duty of vigilance plan, page280).
Acting for the climate requires a transformation of the Group’s activities by optimising its energy consumption and promoting widespread use of renewables to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. This also means rethinking the way its projects are conceived and designed so as to develop more resilient, low-carbon and energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure. In addition, new solutions need to be created that will transform mobility, housing and lifestyles to help its customers and end users reduce their carbon footprint. With this end in view, VINCI has made three fundamental commitments:
Since 2007, VINCI has maintained a proactive approach to reducing and monitoring its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in line with the “Accelerate the environmental transition” commitment from its Manifesto. When it adopted its new environmental ambition in 2020, VINCI further strengthened the Group’s targets, looking to align itself with the Paris Agreement. To set an example, the Group is therefore committed to achieving a 40% reduction in its direct GHG emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) from 2018 levels by 2030. According to guidance from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), this commitment aligns the Group’s emissions reduction target with the well below 2°C scenario. In addition to this absolute value for its emissions reduction target, VINCI aims for ambitious reductions in emissions in its direct scope of business activities that will enable the Group to contribute to worldwide carbon neutrality by 2050.
