FOUR
Project reflection from VINCI Building
We recently helped VINCI Building, a major building contractor, to develop a Corporate Environmental Strategy to source more responsibly and utilise existing data for better waste management. As part of the Corporate Environmental Strategy, we produced a GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Corporate Report covering Scopes 1 to 3 and guidance to set a Science-Based Target.
Below are the project reflections from VINCI Building on how they benefit from the Environmental Strategies that Element Four developed for them and the support they received to turn it into action.
"We recognise that the process with Element Four has allowed us to bring a focussed group together, to work collaboratively, helped us present the value case internally which has started to change the culture and attitude and facilitated cross-division conversations which might not have got off the ground."
Steven Tideswell, Head of Business Excellence and Sustainability, VINCI Building
What was the situation like before working with Element Four?
There was a recognition that sustainability, particularly environmental sustainability was a topic that needed addressing, for us as a company, in the industry and globally, but we did not have dedicated resources looking at the problem, did not really know where to start and were battling a corporate culture of ‘maintaining the status quo’.
Construction is quite conservative and reactionary, so we were doing point in time interventions to meet specific tender or Client requirements rather than considering a holistic roadmap or doing proper planning for market and social positioning. (We were looking to do the right thing, but we didn’t know how, without a potential commercial burden, which seemed difficult to unpick for a private business). We had a number of interested and passionate individuals getting involved in different aspects, both within our division and in other divisions, but doing so very much individually. And we had just had a mandate from our parent company that we should be doing more to ‘Act for Climate’, ‘Preserve natural environments’ and ‘Make use of the circular economy', but with very little substance behind it and no guidance on ‘how’.
Has there been anything throughout the process of the project that you have learnt or perhaps you didn’t think about before as an important aspect?
We have learnt immeasurable amounts, as listed in the items below:
- We were introduced to the SDGs, and as a result, got onto the SDG Ambition Course and integrated them into our business planning process and were able to start the education and communication exercise needed in the employee base and leadership.
- We now understand, properly, Scope 1,2,3 GHG emissions, the GHG protocol and how an assessment is put together, and have completed our scope 1,2,3 baseline to inform how we can improve. We were introduced to the SBTi initiative and have now pledged at the 1.5 degree level, also becoming part of Race to Zero.
- We now understand renewable energy much better, have started nailing down our suppliers to give credible evidence and will pursue a PPA for the future
- We properly understand offsetting, the various options and what is credible and are now in a position to be able to offset.
- We understand whole life carbon a lot better, have identified a way to assess our projects and have now got the dedicated resources to start doing this as part of our standard process
- We have learned a lot about mature target setting, have moved to a position of external benchmarking, rather than internal benchmarking, and have been guided in where we can obtain the data we need to do this.
- We have understood the blockers in supply chain engagement, particularly on Carbon, have been assisted in doing a market review for solutions, and also been introduced to some innovative start ups who we might be able to partner with to solve these problems
- We have learnt about water risk and how we can align ourselves to that, rather than simply be consumption focussed
- We have learnt about how to assess Biodiversity, identified a methodology that will work for us and will start assessing all our projects
What changes have you achieved with the help of Element Four?
All of the individual learning/actions from the above list, that we would never have got as far with ourselves. We should also recognise that the process with Element Four has allowed us to bring a focussed group together, to work collaboratively, helped us present the value case internally which has started to change the culture and attitude and facilitated cross-division conversations which might not have got off the ground.
We have started to be able to position Environmental and Social sustainability as the commercial advantage that it is, rather than something that has to come with a cost.
Do you think you received the right support you needed from Element Four?
Absolutely. And this isn’t to say that we always had the full and complete answer immediately, but we were able to have great confidence in Element Four’s advice, and where uncertainty did exist, Element Four were always excellent about going off and finding us the timely answer or clarifications we needed.
What advice might you give to anyone thinking of embarking on a journey to implement sustainability throughout their company and setting a Science-Based Net Zero Target?
Get some specialist knowledge in, such as an organisation like Element Four. This is a complex and multifaceted subject area. The general management abilities needed to break it down, prioritise, create a roadmap, and also know what the current state in the industry is and what specific action is appropriate, will only be so useful without a partner who can quickly accelerate your learning and knowledge.