Adapting to climate change Risks associated with climate change have been identified on the basis of the collection of significant events at the sites resulting from climatic phenomena over the past five to ten years. Five effects to which GEODIS is most exposed have been analyzed: chronic temperature variability that can damage buildings and grounds, heat waves causing difficulties for employees, heavy rainfall that can degrade real estate, tornadoes that can degrade real estate, and flooding. These risks have been assessed in terms of their impact and probability. Two risks are considered as priorities: heat waves that can affect the comfort and health of employees and tornadoes that can damage real estate (particularly in the United States). Prevention and adaptation measures are already in place and additional mitigation plans have been defined to deal with the potential for greater frequency or intensity of these risks. At the same time, a forecasting study for the period 2030-2050 has been undertaken on the basis of IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scenarios. This study covers more than 800 Group sites as well as the main critical freight transit sites. In 2023, the results will make it possible to determine the exposure of GEODIS’s activities, making it possible to develop action plans for reducing its vulnerability in the medium and long term. 3.2 Biodiversity In common with all companies operating in the transport and logistics sector, GEODIS is attempting to satisfy three seemingly conflicting priorities: meeting a very high need for critical infrastructure to support growing logistics needs, moving toward low-carbon operations, and preserving natural ecosystems that are under threat. Biodiversity covers the variety of living beings on our planet that are present in different geographical areas and different types of ecosystems. It describes, in its broadest sense, the richness of life on Earth and is illustrated by the great diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms that inhabit it. The fight against the current collapse of this biodiversity has been set as a target date of 2030 by the COP15 on Biodiversity which was held in Montreal in 2022. In this context, companies are encouraged to take up the subject by assessing their dependence and their footprint on biodiversity. GEODIS’s real estate footprint, through its international network of agencies and logistics hubs located at some of the world’s most important trade intersections, represents innumerable points of contact with biodiversity. In addition, the Group’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions require, among other things, the use of biofuels derived from agricultural production; it should be noted that these can have a deleterious effect on biodiversity when cultivated intensively. Fauna and flora are not only affected during the construction of infrastructures but throughout their life cycle. The construction of logistics sites, generally in suburban areas, primarily raises issues of soil artificialization, sometimes leading to projects being challenged by local associations and residents. Other potential impacts must also be taken into account, such as the risks of modifying or destroying habitats, accidental pollution, etc. In addition, the use and fragmentation of space has a significant impact on the physical and natural environment (vegetation, fauna), creating barriers and so forming obstacles for roaming wildlife. Other effects can also have an impact on biodiversity, such as the risk of collisions (affecting animals and, birds), the alteration of soils, and noise and light pollution linked to the activity. The Group is mindful of the decline in biodiversity, driven by pressure on the environment from the construction and management of infrastructure. Committed to reducing the environmental footprint of its activities, GEODIS is already taking action in favor of biodiversity. For example, as part of the Vigilife initiative, the GEODIS site in Poitiers, France, set up an apiculture biomonitoring project in 2022, in partnership with the Apilab analysis unit. Bee biomonitoring is a tool for measuring biodiversity and pollution through the analysis of pollen collected by bees. Bees act as bioindicators by collecting particles present in the air, soil and water. The results of the first study will be published in 2023 and will enable the site to better assess its impact on the environment and to develop an action plan. Meanwhile, for the construction of a logistics campus in Venlo, in the Netherlands, the Group has paid particular attention to the design of the buildings. The aim is to incorporate environmental standards that will enable the site to obtain BREEAM certification (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), the British certification standard for the environmental assessment of buildings, which is the certification most widely used internationally. 43 2022 ACTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT EDITORIAL > PROFILE AND AMBITION > CSR POLICY > SOCIAL > ETHICS > TABLE OF INDICATORS > ENVIRONMENT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzMxNTcx