Strategy for decarbonising the construction businesses
Bouygues believes it has an important part to play in decarbonising the construction sector, responsible for around 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Group is therefore focusing on creating low-carbon solutions, in-house by boosting innovation and continuing to reshape its business models, and, for its customers, by helping them to reduce their own carbon footprints.
BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION
The launch of Bouygues Construction’s Climate plan started with a training course for Management Committee members coupled with the roll-out of a strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.
Bouygues Construction’s actions:
- Foster a low-carbon mindset in-house by providing training to all employees
- Reduce direct emissions by limiting business travel and increasing the share of green vehicles to 90% of the fleet by 2030
- Reduce the carbon footprint of purchases
- Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of infrastructure users through dialogue with customers
90%
GREEN VEHICLES IN THE FLEET
OF BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION BY 2030
The ABC (Autonomous Building for Citizen) demonstrator
The ABC demonstrator was designed and built in partnership with Suez in Grenoble as a solution to resource scarcity. ABC is aiming for complete building self-sufficiency (water, energy) and well-planned waste management whilst making occupants the focus of the project.
WeWood:
the appeal of timber
A project built with timber rather than with concrete cuts CO2 emissions by 50% during the structural works phase. The WeWood initiative aims to boost the share of timber construction projects to 30% by 2030.
COLAS
Colas has a large environmental footprint due to the nature of its business activities. Purchases of the goods (raw materials, construction materials, etc.), energy and services required by its business activities account for over 65% of Colas’ greenhouse gas emissions. Colas has produced a roadmap based on four key priorities in order to achieve the target of a 30%-reduction in its CO2 emissions by 2030:
- Integrate climate challenges into the corporate strategy
- Improve energy efficiency in order to cut its direct emissions generated by asphalt mixing plants, equipment and vehicles
- Develop and promote low-carbon products, techniques and solutions
- Contribute to carbon neutrality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions generated by customers and users.
Colas’ actions:
- Reduce direct emissions from plant and industrial activities by switching to decarbonised energy (biogas, green hydrogen, electricity) and to alternative modes of transport
- Reduce the carbon intensity of products and materials by increasing the share of low-carbon binders for roads, by producing warm, semi-warm and cold asphalt mixes and by developing low-carbon concrete
- Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of customers and users by rolling out solutions for the planning and regulation of traffic flows
- Raise awareness and train employees
30%
REDUCTION IN ITS CO2 EMISSIONS BY 2030
Vegecol,
the bio-based road binder
A road surfacing solution made with a plant-based binder that cuts the carbon footprint of asphalt mixes thanks to the use of bio-based plant-origin materials.
Novacol,
recycles roads
Novacol is a process for the cold, in-place recycling of used pavement.
BOUYGUES IMMOBILIER
Bouygues Immobilier aims to cut its carbon emissions by 32% by 2030. To do this, it aims to employ new more virtuous construction techniques backed up by new environmental regulations. It is reviewing all its products and services in order to integrate the carbon criterion. It also intends to bolster its responsible procurement policy, provide training to employees and roll out new tools to help with the eco-design of its developments.
Bouygues Immobilier’s actions:
- Use new building methods and improve the energy efficiency of buildings
- Improve intensity and quality of use: shared living spaces, reversible buildings, common areas and biodiversity preservation
- Low-carbon training for all employees
- Boost responsible purchasing
32%
REDUCTION IN ITS CARBON EMISSIONS
BY 2030
The Hôtel des Postes building in Strasbourg
At Hôtel des Postes, Strasbourg’s former central post office, Bouygues Immobilier reused structural components, internal doors, external joinery and various other parts of the building,and employed innovative ideas such as repurposing the old carpet as insulation. By factoring in the gains from the use of circular economy principles and low-carbon concrete, the renovation of this building
saved nearly 7,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions when compared with a new build operation of the same size.