Preserving biodiversity on worksites
VINCI Construction companies identify priority issues and apply the “avoid, reduce, compensate” strategy when responding to calls for tender. Solutions are then defined to adapt to the worksite, and, if possible, more efficient alternatives can also be put forward to customers.
VINCI Construction has updated its environmental technical documentation to include new best practices for biodiversity preservation. Avoidance and mitigation measures can take the following forms: combating invasive non-native species, changing worksite access routes if they cross sensitive areas, adapting timetables to species, conservation fishing, relocating species, diverting waterways, marking out worksite areas according to species, planting and replanting slopes, etc. The Earthworks, Maritime and River Works delegation of VINCI Construction’s Networks France Division plans to apply the biodiversity standards of the Actons la Bionécessité initiative (http:// bit.ly/3knmzBP) at its worksites, going beyond regulatory requirements. This initiative aims to raise the awareness of employees and stakeholders and provide them with tools to promote biodiversity.
Numerous biodiversity conservation measures have been taken at VINCI Construction’s Major Projects Division, via decrees to support protected species, including flora (preservation, transfer and relocation of vascular epiphytes on the BogotáGirardot highway in Colombia) and fauna (the “bubble curtains” to limit underwater sound impacts on submarine species during pile driving operations on the I-64 interchange project in the US state of Virginia).
VINCI Energies integrates biodiversity issues into its products and services, and, if necessary, offers its customers more favourable alternatives. For example, the Avifauna project of VINCI Energies Spain (Omexom) has adapted medium and high voltage power lines to protect areas of high ecological value in Castilla y León and Cantabria and to avoid the electrocution of birds, many of which are protected species, while helping to prevent forest fires caused by short circuits.
Similarly, Cobra IS’s Enyse and Syneox divisions have implemented a solution to reduce bird mortality in Special Protection Areas (SPAs) within the Natura 2000 network and in Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) designated by BirdLife International. Due to the design of enclosed railway electrification poles and the materials used in their construction (steel with a galvanised finish) and the “chimney effect” generated by the release of high-temperature air through the top of the pole, birds perching on the top of the pole fall inside the pole from thermal shock and become trapped there. Mortality rates are high. An innovative solution was implemented to remedy this situation. A perforated cover was added that prevents birds from falling into the enclosed pole. The covers were installed throughout 2021 and monitored in 2022 and 2023, revealing a 92% reduction in mortality. As a result, this design is now included in the customer’s policy and is to be implemented in all catenary electrification work.
In Portugal as elsewhere in the world, Unesco biosphere reserves are unique areas that contribute directly to the planet’s sustainability goals. Axians (VINCI Energies) has been working with the manager of these reserves in the country to find ways to enhance visibility and share value (showcasing biospheres, implementing development plans, monitoring impacts, etc.), from the initial discussions through to the creation of a digital platform. This platform is now the cornerstone for connecting and developing the network of Biokeepers serving as ambassadors for the Portuguese biosphere reserves, and is ready to be replicated in other classified sites.
Concession companies include biodiversity preservation standards in their works contracts.
In addition to avoidance and mitigation measures, VINCI business lines may implement offsets that can vary depending on their role in the project. When acting as programme managers, some VINCI entities, such as those in the Concessions business, can take responsibility for introducing offsets when the major impacts of a project could not be avoided or sufficiently mitigated. Some of the Group’s roadworks companies specialised in ecological engineering can also contribute to implementing compensatory mitigation measures, for example by restoring damaged environments (see paragraph 3.4.3.3, “Solutions for preserving biodiversity used by customers”, page 259). And some entities implement voluntary offsets that combine the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity issues or issues for local populations.
Regulatory ecological offsetting
For many years, entities in the Concessions business have been adapting offsets to local requirements and monitoring ecological performance. VINCI Autoroutes has included significant offsets and support measures for the 24 km long western Strasbourg bypass. The project itself involves a land area of 278 hectares along 24 km, but the ecological offsets cover more than 1,300 hectares, of which 1,000 hectares to plant vegetation that will create a favourable habitat for the European hamster. These offsets were all implemented before the infrastructure opened and are to be monitored throughout the duration of the concession.
VINCI Concessions also spearheads many offset initiatives. LISEA has initiated a large-scale environmental mitigation programme in the region crossed by the South Europe Atlantic high-speed rail line (SEA HSL), more specifically to protect 223 species and implement 3,800 hectares of environmental and forest mitigation measures across 330 sites along the line (30% were acquired by LISEA and transferred to conservatories of natural areas, and 70% come under agreements with farmers or landowners). The monitoring information is shared via the CompenSEA platform developed by LISEA, which enables government agencies and environmental organisations to view all environmental data, land cover details and maps in real time for each site. CompenSEA can also be used in scheduling maintenance and monitoring, and provides a clear picture of tasks. The results of the biological assessment of natural environments and of the 40 environmental monitoring operations carried out each year are published regularly on LISEA’s website and shared at meetings with non-profit partner organisations.
At VINCI Construction quarries, offsets are implemented in situ or ex situ, in line with conditions determined with government agencies and local nature conservation partners.
Voluntary offsets (restoration of natural environments, reforestation)
Several VINCI companies implement voluntary offsets, either to address their residual carbon emissions, by planting trees or restoring wooded areas, or to contribute to the reforestation of degraded lands to benefit local populations. Experts support these initiatives to ensure that projects meet high environmental and social standards.
