A proactive environmental strategy
We have made a number of ambitious design choices and environmental commitments, in terms of construction methods, biodiversity preservation and energy efficiency, for the construction of the Grand Paris Express in the Paris Region. Today, as we support the implementation of regional metropolitan express services for local authorities in France, we are committed to a more proactive policy in favor of the environment:
- by minimizing the impact of our projects on the planet;
- by maximizing environmental benefits, particularly in terms of carbon avoidance and savings, and reducing the artificialization of surrounding land;
- by continuing to innovate and to act as a “driving force” for change in public works practices.
We have defined six priority commitments covering the design, construction and operation phases of our projects. These commitments aim to preserve ecosystems and natural resources during the construction phase. They also aim to integrate the consequences of climate change into our projects, thereby helping to boost the resilience of local communities.
1. Preserving biodiversity and initiating deartificialization and renaturation projects
- Reinforce the priority given to avoidance in the early phases of projects.
- Preserve local biodiversity during the construction and operating phases, in particular by preserving ecological continuity.
- Consider biodiversity as an integral part of the sustainable city.
- Implement deartificialization and renaturation projects.
2. Turning our projects into levers for decarbonization
- Maximize long-term avoided emissions on a regional scale when designing our projects.
- Limit greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life cycle of our projects.
- Promote low-carbon practices in our projects.
3. Conserving water
- Preserve water resources.
- Encourage the use of non-conventional water (including grey water).
- Preserve the surrounding environment.
4. Encouraging circularity in our projects
- Save resources (materials, water, energy).
- Reduce and recycle waste.
- Limit the carbon impact of our projects.
- Secure worksites by promoting short supply chains.
5. Reducing energy consumption (energy sobriety)
- Limit energy consumption during the construction and operation phases.
- Maximize the production of renewable and recovered energy.
- Guarantee the energy supply of structures and control operating costs.
6. Integrating climate change to enhance the resilience of infrastructure and communities
- Anticipate the challenges of adapting to climate change in the pre-configuration and design of Metropolitan Regional Express Services (SERM) in order to maximize their contribution to regional resilience.
- Understand, assess and take account of climate change in our designs and passenger journeys.
- Ensure the durability of structures.
- Guarantee user comfort.
- Adapt our structures, spaces and passenger journeys to climate change.
- Turn mobility solutions into tools for climate resilience.
Creating change with our partners
Cross-fertilizing and sharing experience, innovating and experimenting, spreading new practices: sustainable development in the construction sector requires an approach that is resolutely partnership-based and empirical. With this in mind, we have joined forces with Syntec Ingénierie to launch e², the environment express accelerator.
The e² program is designed to facilitate the development of virtuous industries, particularly in the rail sector, by mobilizing all stakeholders (principals, companies and operators) and providing them with methodological support as well as assistance in overcoming the obstacles to their deployment.
Unique expertise and methods
With the construction of the Grand Paris Express, Société des grands projets has developed unique expertise in environmental matters. This is reflected in all the dimensions inherent in such a transport and development project. We have innovated in many areas, from markets to construction techniques. This dynamic approach has produced tangible results, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing and reusing excavated material.
Grand Paris Express and the environment: our key figures
Design to Planet: project management through environmental performance
We offer a unique approach to project management that goes beyond the current state of the art to meet environmental challenges: Design to Planet. Contrary to the usual approach, which consists of doing “the best” in environmental terms based on architectural objectives and technical or economic constraints, Design to Planet project management is based on environmental performance objectives, which often go beyond regulatory requirements. The method can be applied at every stage of a project. The earlier it is applied, the greater the environmental benefits.
© Claire-Lise Havet / Société des grands projets
An environmental approach integrated into our organization
Including the company's carbon footprint, energy and water management, travel, waste reduction and recycling, our commitment to the environment also applies to the day-to-day work of Société des grands projets employees. Expectations regarding environmental and social aspects are also formulated when awarding contracts to companies working on our site.
Our building, located in Saint-Denis, is certified as a High Environmental Quality (HQE bâtiment) building, and rated excellent for eco-construction, eco-management and comfort. It has been awarded Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM IN-USE Very Good) certification, and its energy performance is labelled Effinergie + (RT 2012 -40%).