3. 3.2 Air pollution Issues and impacts Air pollutants have an impact on air quality and harm both human health and the environment. Inhaling these pollutants can lead to lung and respiratory problems and/or heart disease. Environmental consequences include the formation of toxic smog clouds, acid rain and water pollution. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)(1), 99% of the world’s population breathe air that contains high levels of pollutants, above the limits the United Nations agency recommends. The same study estimates that 4.2 million premature deaths each year are provoked by ambient (outdoor) air worldwide. In France, air pollution-related deaths remain a signifi cant risk, with some 40,000 deaths attributable to fi ne particles every year(2). For GEODIS, the combustion of fossil fuels is the principal factor in the production of atmospheric pollutants. The actions taken by the Group as part of its commitment to decarbonization (see section 3.1 Climate change) include a reduction in the use of fossil fuels, and thus contribute to the reduction of atmospheric pollutants. The main air pollutants generated by transport activities are: ● nitrogen oxides (NO x); ● sulfur oxides (SOx); ● particulate matter (PM); ● non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC). The rollout of atmospheric pollutant emission calculations will continue in 2025 and 2026 in areas that have not yet done so. This will enable GEODIS to publish a quantitative indicator of pollutant emissions along with the corresponding targets. The process of identifying the impacts, risks and opportunities of air pollution in relation to GEODIS’s business model and strategy is presented in section 2.6 of this report. Low Emission Mobility Zones (ZFE-m): changes in France in 2024 Fighting against air pollution caused by nitrogen dioxide and fi ne particulate matter is the goal of Low Emission Mobility Zones (ZFE-m, Zones à Faibles Émissions mobilité), established under France’s Mobility Orientation Act (2019) and Climate and Resilience Act (2021). In France, urban areas that consistently exceed regulatory pollution thresholds must follow a phased restriction schedule. The metropolitan areas of Paris and Lyon are particularly affected. As of January 1, 2024, vehicles classifi ed as Crit’Air 4 (French air quality certifi cation) are banned from entering these zones, in addition to Crit’Air 5 and unclassifi ed vehicles. Under the law, Low Emission Zones (ZFE) were set to be introduced from January 1, 2025 in all urban areas with over 150,000 inhabitants where air quality levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) are exceeded or are under monitoring. This applied to 42 urban areas, including 12 metropolitan areas that would be able to enforce traffi c restrictions starting in 2025. Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and Montpellier have the strictest bans: diesel trucks classifi ed as EURO 5 (Crit’Air 3 certifi cation) are banned from January 1, 2025. End of 2022, ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition) listed 315 Low Emission Zones in force across 14 European countries, including France. Governance The strategy, programs and objectives of GEODIS’s environmental policy have been validated by the members of the Management Board, who are responsible for them being communicated and applied throughout the Group. In 2024, the Climate and Environment Programs Department strengthened its resources and expertise in pollution and the circular economy. Action plans Its efforts to limit the impact of its activities on air quality and public health have led GEODIS to progressively develop a competitive low-carbon, low-emission delivery fl eet, adapted to environmental challenges on the road and in city centers (pollution, noise, traffi c congestion, etc.). In view of its role as a last-mile delivery operator in urban areas, the Group is implementing a number of initiatives to prevent and reduce pollutant emissions (NOx, SOx, fi ne particles) and nuisances in urban areas: ● GEODIS runs a fl eet of trucks that meet the latest standards (EURO 5 or EURO 6 in Europe). Trialing and using alternative vehicles, whether electric, biodiesel or biogas, is helping to gradually reduce pollutant emissions (NOx, SOx, fi ne particles) and noise levels (in the case of electric and biogas trucks); ● the development of urban logistics bases, i.e., spaces dedicated to local delivery and storage that minimize journey distances; ● using cargo bikes. (1) Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health (2) Source: https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/presse/2025/asthme-accident-vasculaire-cerebral-diabete-quels-impacts-de-la-pollution-de-l-airambiant-sur-la-sante-et-quel-impact-economique 2024 ACTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT - 55 EDITORIAL > 1. GROUP PROFILE > 2. GENERAL INFORMATION > 3. ENVIRONMENT > 4. SOCIAL > 5. ETHICS > 6. ANNEXES
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