Material IROs were identified and assessed based on historical data covering revenue, costs, financial penalties and any controversies that many have affected the Group’s financial results. The analysis focused on the sites and activities of the Group with the highest exposure. At the end of this process, only the risk of work stoppage due to light or noise pollution or vibrations was assessed as material. This risk concerns the Group’s construction activities, which include earthworks, building, and installing and maintaining networks in urban areas. By definition, they are limited to VINCI Construction. The impacts on local residents are covered in paragraph 3.3, “Engaging with affected communities (ESRS S3)”, page 260.
The policies and initiatives implemented to mitigate this risk are described below.
| Material impacts, risks and opportunities | Businesses concerned | Position in the value chain and on the time horizon | Stakeholders concerned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light and noise pollution and vibrations | |||
|
Risk: delay or stoppage of work due to nuisances for local residents or disruptions to ecosystems Loss of revenue due to the delay or stoppage of construction work and/or operations (permit temporarily or permanently revoked) due to the inability to carry out projects that generate light and/or noise pollution and/or vibrations |
Risk: delay or stoppage of work due to nuisances for local residents or disruptions to ecosystems Loss of revenue due to the delay or stoppage of construction work and/or operations (permit temporarily or permanently revoked) due to the inability to carry out projects that generate light and/or noise pollution and/or vibrations Businesses concerned VINCI Construction |
Risk: delay or stoppage of work due to nuisances for local residents or disruptions to ecosystems Loss of revenue due to the delay or stoppage of construction work and/or operations (permit temporarily or permanently revoked) due to the inability to carry out projects that generate light and/or noise pollution and/or vibrations Position in the value chain and on the time horizon Own activities Long term |
Risk: delay or stoppage of work due to nuisances for local residents or disruptions to ecosystems Loss of revenue due to the delay or stoppage of construction work and/or operations (permit temporarily or permanently revoked) due to the inability to carry out projects that generate light and/or noise pollution and/or vibrations Stakeholders concerned
|
Policies and targets for preventing environmental pollution and incidents
Looking beyond the main focuses of the Group’s new environmental ambition and compliance with regulations, VINCI companies develop and maintain continuous improvement processes adapted to the local context. The Environmental Guidelines signed in November 2020 by VINCI’s Chairman and CEO and the Secretary of the Group’s European Works Council provide a framework for reducing environmental impacts and risks associated with the Group’s activities. All VINCI companies are expected to apply these guidelines and are responsible for ensuring that appropriate actions are also taken on the ground by subcontractors and joint contractors throughout projects (see paragraph 4.4.3, “Tailored actions to mitigate risks and prevent serious impacts”, of chapter F, “Duty of vigilance plan”, page 298).
Concretely, VINCI companies systematically roll out environmental management plans and training and awareness-raising initiatives to prevent all types of environmental pollution and incidents, including emergency situations. Pollution issues mainly involve the light and noise pollution and vibrations generated at worksites, which are a material risk for the Group.
Environmental management plans
Each Group business line implements environmental management plans that are adapted to their local situation, while complying with the guidelines set by VINCI. The plans meet regulations in force and satisfy certain certification standards, such as ISO 14001 (see paragraph 4.3.1, “Policies and procedures to prevent and mitigate risks in operations”, in chapter F, page 301). They cover all risks related to light and noise pollution and vibrations in construction activities.
Focusing on preventing light and noise pollution and vibrations from construction activities
The light required for the operations and safety of some Group activities can be a source of light pollution. To limit this pollution, adapted lighting systems (light directed only at points that need to be lit for user and employee safety) are set up at worksites, when conditions allow. In addition, some Group entities have developed solutions for use by customers. For example, 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.
To reduce noise pollution and vibrations, noise studies are performed at every worksite in France and at most worksites in other countries, beginning at the design phase, to propose suitable technical solutions to be deployed during construction.
At VINCI Construction, several noise reduction measures were rolled out in 2024. Some entities in France have designed a noise monitoring and management plan, which includes acoustic measures for all workshops and machines. Progress reports on these plans are drawn up twice each year. For several operations, a predictive map of worksite noise has been produced. At worksites, temporary structures such as facades and enclosures are installed, and operating hours are adjusted. This was the case for the Cœur d’Aéroport terminal at Marseille Provence airport, where work was sometimes performed at night to ensure user safety and enable business continuity. Sound level meters are used to take measurements before and during work at worksites in urban environments or close to homes. For the Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) worksite, a system has been set up to monitor and control noise and vibrations in real time. It enables coordination with work managers to employ mitigation measures or to stop work if noise levels exceeded the allowed limits. At quarries, vibrations are measured using seismographs, in compliance with operating permits, and verified by public authorities.
The Group trains operational teams and encourages them to set up systematic dialogue with stakeholders to promote the understanding of worksite constraints and respond to resident concerns.
