Greener, together

Deeply committed to a more sustainable world, with an environmental policy based on the transition to a low-carbon economy, SPIE aims to reducing their own carbon footprint and to contribute to a low-carbon future.

Since 2009, SPIE has been implementing an ambitious environmental policy across its subsidiaries as a response to today’s climate, economic and energy challenges.

By continually reducing its carbon footprint and that of its customers, SPIE positions itself as part of the solution, supporting the energy transition and the digital revolution, which are essential if we are to adapt to new regulations and prepare for the future of our planet.

With all subsidiaries involved, the Group is rolling out innovative projects aimed at a 25% reduction in its direct emissions by 2025, in line with the IPCC’s 1.5°C trajectory, a worldwide initiative aiming to limit global warming.
In March 2022, the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative), which sets out and promotes commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, approved SPIE’s vision, which is in line with the Paris Agreement. The Group wants to align with its suppliers to ensure that by 2025, 67% of them will have committed to reducing their own carbon footprint. And the results speak for themselves.
In 2023, SPIE saw a reduction of its carbon footprint by 10% as compared to 2019.
In addition, the “green” share of the Group’s turnover reached 48% in 2022, nearing the target of 50% set for 2025. These positive and encouraging results are testament to the Group’s willingness to work towards a more sustainable future and reflect the commitment of its employees.

In our subsidiaries

From the transition to an electric fleet in Switzerland and the Netherlands to a more responsible and sustainable use of digital technology in France, not to mention the Climate Fresk awareness-raising workshops organised in Belgium, this guided tour will introduce you to four dedicated and inspiring initiatives that help SPIE to deliver on its environmental promise each day.

Switzerland : Towards an electrifying future

One of the key tools in SPIE’s arsenal aimed at reducing its carbon footprint is the decarbonization of its fleet. At SPIE Switzerland, the car fleet is undergoing a metamorphosis. Under the watchful eye of Julien Pamelard, Fleet and Logistics Manager, and Bernard Lazzarotto, Purchasing Manager, the proportion of electric vehicles in the Swiss fleet will rise to more than 28% by the end of 2023 (more than a quarter of employees will be driving 100% electric vehicles). SPIE Switzerland has taken a giant stride this year by ensuring that more than half of the vehicles being replaced are swapped for electric ones, from BMWs to Citroën ë-Berlingos. This has been made possible by SPIE Switzerland’s investment in essential infrastructure: the company deployed charging stations in the homes of “electrified” volunteers and coupled the initiative with the reimbursement their recharging costs, in addition to having already installed charging stations at all sites across the country. “These figures are testament to our desire to improve our daily lives and to make the transition easier for our drivers,” explains Julien Pamelard, “they are aligned with the way we want to shape our future.”

France : Reuse, Reduce, Reinvent

For SPIE France and its subsidiaries, IT equipment and its daily use accounts for 3,200 tons of CO₂ emissions each year, the equivalent of travelling 15 million kilometres by car. Facing this challenge, SPIE France has implemented a digital responsibility strategy. The approach includes extending the shelf life of computers, acquiring refurbished phones from a partner that guarantees their quality, optimising IT servers and regularly measuring the carbon footprint of equipment throughout its life cycle. “At SPIE France, digital responsibility is at the heart of our day-to-day practices. It shapes our decisions,” explains Jean-Noël Chatignoux, CSR and Digital Responsibility Coordinator for SPIE France and Information Systems Manager at SPIE Facilities. Digital responsibility also extends beyond the responsible use of technology. In this regard, the Director of Information Systems ensures that some of the upgraded equipment is given to charitable associations for students in need. “If, in the future, employees remain vigilant about their digital consumption, we will be able to stabilise our emissions or even reduce them. Together, we can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable digital future,” concludes Gilles Bougrat, Support Department Manager, SPIE France.

Belgium : The climate fresk

How can you raise team members’ awareness of the complex challenges of climate change in a fun and educational way? In October 2022, SPIE Belgium found the solution by organising its first Climate Fresk workshops. This collaborative game highlights ways in which human beings are responsible for the climate crisis we are currently experiencing through the use of illustrated cards that are arranged to link cause and effect. In August 2023, the workshops were opened up to all SPIE Belgium employees and were run by 12 internal facilitators, keen to share their knowledge with the company’s 1,550 team members. Since the workshops were launched, 100 employees have been made aware of climate issues! However, the Climate Fresk is just the beginning. It aims to drive future initiatives and commitments to reduce emissions at SPIE Belgium, particularly those related to transport and waste, which make up the largest proportion of the subsidiary’s carbon footprint. Valentin Guillaume, Communications Officer and CSR Manager, stresses: “With Climate Fresk workshops, we want to inform and raise awareness among our colleagues so that they can become drivers of change, both in the workplace and in their daily lives.”

Netherlands : Carving out clean and clever solutions

In 2021, 40 Dutch cities introduced bold initiatives to reduce their CO₂ emissions by 1 megaton every year until 2030. Indeed, by 2025, all fossil-fuel-powered commercial vehicles will be prohibited from operating in these urban areas. The city of Groningen has gone even further. From 2021 onwards, it restricts the circulation of logistics transportation, such as delivery vans and freight trucks, to a minimum, to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre. This decision, along with a €5,000 government bonus, encourages companies to find other ways to organise their operations. Under the guidance of Roland van der Wijngaart, Consultant, SPIE Building Solutions, for the Northeast region of SPIE Nederland, the company employed two Carvers, agile three-wheeled electric vehicles that can easily move around in cities. What’s more, Carvers are perfectly adapted to the transport of tools and equipment. They have reduced travel time, contributed to reducing traffic jams and play an active role in decreasing CO₂ emissions, to the tune of 2,700 kg/year. “The Carvers have been a hit with our employees,” emphasises Roland van der Wijngaart. “We plan to deploy additional fleets to meet the growing demand. We are not just reacting to regulations; the Carvers have profoundly improved the way we work.”