Lagardère Travel Retail steps up carbon neutrality commitment
As part of its CSR strategy, titled PEPS (standing for Planet. Ethics. People. Social), the group is seeking to reduce the environmental impact of its operations
Lagardère Travel Retail has announced its commitment to work towards global carbon neutrality across all operations by the end of 2023.
The ambition covers all of the group’s direct emissions and will be achieved by advancing in its energy consumption reduction program, completing the switch to green electricity and renewable energy certifications in all of its own operations, and through the compensation of the unavoidable residual emissions as a last step of its global action plan.
As part of its CSR strategy, titled PEPS (standing for Planet. Ethics. People. Social), the group is seeking to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, co-operating whenever possible with suppliers to achieve ambitious industry goals and contributing to the landlords’ programs and targets.
An example of this is the first Aelia Duty Free eco-store, recently opened in close co-operation with Geneva International Airport, and which achieves a 40% reduction in the carbon footprint of its furniture and POS materials.
As a result of an assessment of its carbon footprint conducted in 2021, Lagardère Travel Retail has committed to achieving its contribution to global carbon neutrality by the end of 2023.
“This represents a market-leading ambition,” said the operator.
The target applies to the emissions resulting directly from the company’s activities: service vehicle fleet, buildings and energy consumption (bought directly or indirectly for all stores and restaurants, HQ and warehouses), and is based on a set of concrete measures.
A global action plan is being put in place to “significantly reduce” its direct emissions, including more energy-efficient POS equipment, furniture and construction, staff engagement and tools to reduce energy consumption, and an ambitious plan to switch to green electricity and renewable energy certifications for all its own operations.
“Compensation for unavoidable residual emissions will only be used when all other measures have been taken by our teams,” said the company.
Collaborating with stakeholders
Lagardère Travel Retail is also working on reducing all indirect emissions generated by the products and services it purchases and sells, the upstream and downstream activities within its supply chains, waste, and the end-of-life of its product offer. These emissions account for 95% of its total carbon footprint.
In line with the Paris Climate agreement, the operator is aiming to reach net zero emissions ahead of the 2050 date.
In travel retail, the company is collaborating closely with its stakeholders to reach the short- and long-term targets.
Commenting on the announcement, Dag Rasmussen, President and CEO, Lagardère Travel Retail, said: "Limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires any organization and country to reach the net zero goal by 2050. We are joining global reduction efforts by setting ourselves the industry’s most ambitious target in the reduction of scope 1 and 2 [direct] emissions and we will work relentlessly to address the bigger challenge of our indirect emissions well ahead of the 2050 hard deadline.
“Our leadership team has made the pledge that there will be no stone left unturned – whatever the effort. We can’t put a price tag on the planet or the future we’re leaving to new generations. Our responsibility to them is what matters the most, and I’m pleased to see us aligning our priorities to the ambition of our partners and getting ready to join forces to tackle the climate crisis.”
Under the supervision of the group’s Management Board and the global CSR team, a new PEPS Global Committee has been created. Reporting to the global PEPS Committee, workstreams supporting each of the four pillars of the CSR strategy have also been created.
Key countries across its network are also creating dedicated CSR Committees, and the global community of PEPS “Local Heroes” will continue to serve to implement CSR actions locally.
Regular collaboration with third-party experts also seeks to ensure its strategy remains aligned and takes recent challenges into account.
Finally, the achievement of CSR targets has been included in the performance-linked remuneration of senior leaders across the organization.
