To implement these levers, each business line has made its own commitments and established action plans in accordance with its operational priorities (see the overview of the main commitments by business line and by focus, page 297). However, a network of experts from VINCI’s business lines coordinates their initiatives, sharing best practices, feedback, regulatory intelligence and project management tools across the Group.
The estimated total CapEx and OpEx required to implement these action plans was deemed immaterial in relation to the Group’s total CapEx and OpEx.
2.3.2.1 Promoting the use of construction techniques and materials that economise on natural resources
Policy for promoting the use of construction techniques and materials that economise on natural resources
At Group level, the activities that consume the most resources are construction activities, which mainly use concrete, steel, bitumen, asphalt mix, aggregates and wood (see paragraph 2.3.3, “Performance monitoring”, page 224). These resources are defined in paragraph 5.3.5, “Resources, waste and materials”, of the methodology note, page 276. The desire to secure access to these materials and ensure sustainability tracing are core to VINCI’s circular economy policy. The policy, which prioritises construction techniques and materials that economise on natural resources, is applied by all business lines and focuses on the following actions:
- reducing the consumption of virgin materials;
- use of bio-sourced materials;
- development of reuse solutions.
The engagement of stakeholders, especially suppliers, is a key element of this approach, with the support of a network that coordinates responsible purchasing across the Group (see the presentation of the Group’s responsible purchasing policy in paragraph 3.2.2.1, “Human rights and health and safety issues for purchasing and subcontracting”, page 256).
VINCI Construction also implements this policy in a more operational manner, in several ways. It requires suppliers to complete environmental and social questionnaires and conducts audits to monitor their performance, engages in specific discussions with suppliers of high environmental-impact products (concrete, equipment, site supplies, transport), and certifies its activities under internationally recognised standards (ISO 14001, EcoVadis, etc.). In addition, its Building France Division has committed to 100% PEFC- or FSC-certified wood purchases by 2030 (see paragraph 2.6, “Preservation of natural environments”, page 232), highlighting the need for a formal responsible purchasing policy for wood. This policy will be finalised in the first half of 2025 and will include key indicators and a rigorous monitoring process to guarantee its implementation.
Actions to promote the use of construction techniques and materials that economise on natural resources
Reducing the consumption of virgin materials
VINCI Construction’s reduction target for upstream Scope 3 emissions
VINCI is working to reduce its impact from the extraction of natural resources by promoting the use of materials from the circular economy when relevant. This commitment is consistent with VINCI Construction’s target to reduce upstream Scope 3 emissions by 20%, which requires optimising the amount of materials used, developing the use of low-carbon concrete and implementing recycled materials (see the presentation of the transition plan in paragraph 2.2.2.1, “Climate change mitigation and energy”, page 205). Out of the main resources used by the Group (concrete, steel, bitumen, asphalt mix, aggregates and wood), VINCI focuses on the procurement of recycled steel, asphalt and aggregates (see under “Actions to reduce emissions in the value chain” in paragraph 2.2.2.1, “Climate change mitigation and energy”, page 209).
By incorporating reclaimed asphalt pavement into the production of new mix at asphalt plants, the Group has decreased its consumption of virgin aggregates and bitumen. The reclaimed asphalt pavement takes the place of new aggregates, and the binder it contains continues to fulfil its role in the new asphalt mix. Using this recycled asphalt is a priority for the Concessions business (see paragraph 2.3.2.2, “Improving waste sorting to implement waste recovery more widely across the Group’s businesses”, page 221). To reduce the consumption of aggregates in road maintenance operations, VINCI Construction has developed the Refresh® solution. It is an in-situ resurfacing process for use on local roads. A thin layer of the pavement is removed, recycled in situ with emulsion and directly re-laid. Refresh® is a cold-in-place method that requires no added materials and avoids greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacturing process or the use of trucks to transport the product.
Regarding concrete, one of first solutions used to reduce the associated use of virgin materials is sufficiency, which means not consuming more concrete than is necessary for the job. The Civil Engineering France Division of VINCI Construction is promoting an innovative hollow beam solution, called Optipoutre, that can reduce the consumption of concrete by up to 40%, while ensuring the same technical properties as a traditional concrete beam. It was employed for the overhead Marguerite Perey station, in Palaiseau, of the future Grand Paris Express Line 18. The use of low-carbon concrete, to which VINCI Construction has made a strong commitment (see under “Transition plan” in paragraph 2.2.2.1, “Climate change mitigation and energy”, page 205) is also a way to economise on virgin materials, since the binders used in the place of cement are sourced from the circular economy. For example, blast-furnace slag is a co-product of the steel industry.
Use of bio-sourced materials
The use of bio-sourced materials is growing thanks to timber construction and plant-based binders as well as building processes. VINCI Construction is developing the use of bio-sourced materials in its projects through its Arbonis subsidiary, which is industrialising timber construction, utilising the advantages of this renewable, recyclable material facilitating carbon storage. Opting for sourcing through a short supply chain, the teams mostly favour local tree species and work with the French National Forest Office (ONF) to support the country’s certified timber suppliers. The Group has an excellent track record in timber construction and formulating low-carbon concrete. Building on this expertise, the Building France and Civil Engineering France divisions of VINCI Construction have launched a “Mixed structures and own production” transformation strategy. The plan is for the business line’s teams to incorporate more wood and low-carbon concrete into the Group’s projects, from design to use. An essential factor of the Group’s competitiveness is to continue to develop the versatility of its teams. The Edenn business complex in Nanterre, built by the Group’s own Greater Paris New-Build Functional Structures delegation, supports this goal. The mixed wood-concrete structure spanning more than 30,000 sq. metres will house the offices of Schneider Electric, among others.