Method used to identify material impacts, risks and opportunities related to biodiversity
VINCI has carried out studies specifically for the purpose of identifying the Group’s material impacts, risks and opportunities related to biodiversity. The Group reviewed and analysed the sensitivity of its sites, activities and value chain to biodiversity issues, in addition to past biodiversity-related controversies or disputes involving VINCI. It also reviewed and analysed historical and projected data on biodiversity-related impacts on the Group’s Ebitda. Activities that are dependent on ecosystem services were also identified. VINCI uses its Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) to identify sites located in biodiversity-sensitive areas.
The interests of all stakeholders, especially nature, are taken into account. VINCI is a member of several working groups focusing on biodiversity, such as Orée (Organisation pour le Respect de l’Environnement par l’Entreprise) and Entreprises pour l’Environnement, and has forged key partnerships with environmental protection organisations, experts, academics and educational institutions to advance scientific research and raise biodiversity awareness. Design firms, conservation organisations and local experts are frequently consulted for certain types of projects (large worksites, airports, quarries, etc.) and monitor them over the long term. For some projects, consultations are held with local residents, conservation organisations and government agencies. As a result of these investigations, the Group identified a risk of controversy related to the origin of the wood used in construction activities.
Assessment of biodiversity loss factors and dependencies
VINCI has assessed its value chain with respect to the five direct drivers of biodiversity loss, as identified in the internationally accepted guidelines of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). These five drivers are: land use change (see the “no net land take” commitment in this section), overexploitation of resources (see the section on optimising resources thanks to the circular economy), climate change (see the section on climate change), pollution (see the section on pollution) and invasive alien species (see the zero phytosanitary products commitment in this section). An analysis of dependencies on ecosystem services was also performed. Ecosystem services are defined as nature’s contributions to society. They include provisioning services (direct consumption, productive uses, etc.), existence and heritage values, regulating services (water flow regulation, pollination, climate regulation) and option value (biological diversity). Except for the water flow and climate regulation services (mentioned in paragraphs 2.5, “Preserving natural environments – Water (ESRS E3)”, page 226, and 2.2, “Acting for the climate (ESRS E1)”, page 203), VINCI’s activities across its value chain are not materially dependent on ecosystem services.
Identifying and locating sites with material biodiversity issues
Sites related to the Group’s own activities and that are considered to have material biodiversity issues are the physical facilities operated by the Group’s Concessions businesses (airports, renewable energy production facilities and motorways) and quarries, as well as the land owned by VINCI in connection with its property development business. Office sites are considered non-material from a biodiversity standpoint.
At sites where VINCI operates temporarily, especially construction, earthworks and maintenance worksites, biodiversity issues are not material and are in fact considered to be associated with the upstream and downstream value chain of the Group’s activities. Excluding impacts to the affected communities mentioned in paragraph 3.3, “Engaging with affected communities (ESRS S3), page 267, the Group has not identified significant social impacts generated by sites with material biodiversity issues.
