- By actively participating in biodiversity research and innovation:
* Colas is one of the few companies to have been part of the FRB (French foundation for biodiversity research)’s strategic steering committee since 2011.
* Between 2014 and 2016, the Colas Group backed the Lengguru scientific expedition, a patronage initiative carried out by the IRD (French Institute of Research for Development) in partnership with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the Sorong Fisheries Academy (APSOR). The aim of this expedition was to inventory and study biodiversity in forests, underground and in the sea using an approach that focused on the impact of environmental factors on the adaptation and evolution of different species. The scientific exploration was conducted in a particularly rich, unexplored area of Indonesia’s Papua province, which gave rise to the discovery of a number of new species (scientific publications are in preparation).
* Colas created in 2016 a conservatory for black bees in the Alps of Haute-Provence, in partnership with Apilab, a laboratory specialized in environmental biomonitoring using bees. This scientific project uses a protocol for the genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA that was developed by the French national research institute CNRS. The conservatory, which comprises 20 hives and is the first of its kind in France created by the private sector, is located at the Cozzi quarry, near Norante (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). This social and collaborative project is conducted in partnership with local beekeepers and the mayors of the neighboring towns.
* In terms of innovation, GTOI (a subsidiary of Colas in Reunion Island ) has developed a noise-insulating bubble curtain to protect marine mammals from the impact of underwater noise caused by the construction of the new coastal road in La Reunion. The idea is to create a barrier that absorbs the acoustic wave by different phenomena and acts like a double-glazed window. This innovation received the 2017 Corporate and Environment special award at the World Efficiency show in biodiversity.
- Through targeted projects that are directly related to its operations:
* Colas is endeavoring to help raise awareness through education for the general public (conferences, educational projects and youth actions, etc. audiences, etc.) about its actions in favor of biodiversity because these issues will only be resolved if they are embraced by the people, both locally and globally.
* Colas’ efforts are focused on its quarries and gravel pits and consist in implementing and monitoring actions to enable and facilitate the presence and survival of a notable animal or plant species, and in installing beehives in collaboration with local stakeholders (beekeepers, naturalists, nature reserves, NGOs and others) and informing local communities through an educational awareness-raising campaign;
Trials are also underway to help Colas work crews address the issue of invasive plants, with a growing number of subsidiaries around the world tackling this issue.
Value
More than 70 protected species currently live at the Group’s extraction sites, in addition to some fifty sites that are home to beehives. Real progress has been made since this policy was deployed in 2012, on the occasion of Colas’ Environmental Convention. This effort remains varied according to cultural contexts, enjoying strong support in France but less in the United States, for example. In 2019, this indicator increased slightly (52%).
Additionally, in Madagascar, since December 2008, Colas has offered an educational and awareness-raising program on protecting biodiversity, providing its support to a private lemur reserve and a botanical garden. Thanks to this program, 32,166 children and 1,129 teachers have learned about the importance of their country’s natural heritage, particularly the protection of lemurs through habitat conservation.
Definition
This indicator highlights the percentage of CAE from aggregate production activities with at least one action in favor of biodiversity over CAE of aggregate production activities.
Method
Period: 12-month period from October 1 to September 30
Scope: World: coverage: 100% of CAE revenue of aggregate production sites