Low-carbon transition and preservation of resources

Our commitments

• Transitioning to a low-carbon pathway

  Icade is actively involved in carbon reduction and has made it a priority. In accordance with the French national low-carbon strategy for the construction industry, Icade has made new CSR commitments with goals consistent with a 2°C or even 1.5°C pathway. The Company has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint and have assets resilient to the consequences of climate change. It has implemented an action plan with a budget of €40 million in order to reduce the carbon intensity of Office Property Investment assets by 45% between 2015 and 2025.

  To do so, Icade is replacing the heating, cooling and lighting equipment in its properties with more energy-efficient appliances. It is increasing the proportion of renewable energy in its energy mix and developing the use of low-carbon construction materials such as wood. Finally, Icade supports its tenants through green lease committees and its operators via energy performance contracts.

• Promoting biodiversity and nature in cities

  Icade works to protect biodiversity using a range of measures designed to reintegrate nature into cities via its Service Properties, Healthcare Properties and Development divisions. This proactive approach meets both the requirements of local authorities and the expectations of its customers in terms of making tangible improvements to their surroundings. 

  As an example, Icade manages biodiversity in its business parks through biodiversity performance contracts signed with CDC Biodiversité. Under these contracts, indicators have been created and may be revised from time to time to best monitor animal and plant life, landscape maintenance, etc. Icade is also very involved in the development of urban agriculture. One of the largest urban farms in France is located in the Portes de Paris business park, namely the 1,000 sq.m Farmhouse Aubervilliers, dedicated to growing vegetables using aquaponic and vertical growing systems. Lastly, development projects are subject to biodiversity assessments conducted in the design phase. Several projects have obtained the BiodiverCity label, such as the “Les Quinconces” project which will be part of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Village in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine in addition to creating a 3,000-sq.m urban forest and rooftop gardens.

• Integrating the principles of a circular economy into products and services

  Icade has partnered with Egis to launch Cycle Up, the first digital platform dedicated to the reuse of building materials available to participants from across the construction industry.

  For its existing assets, Icade has also put in place waste sorting units, a collection scheme for used objects and solutions to reduce and better manage water consumption. The different divisions are committed to the reuse of building materials for demolitions, renovations and refurbishments. Lastly, Icade educates and informs its customers about best practices with respect to waste management and water consumption through green lease committees that it was the first to introduce. 

• Innovating to achieve sustainable construction

  The construction stage of buildings now accounts for the majority of a building’s CO2 emissions over a period of 50 years. To reduce its carbon footprint as far upstream as possible, Icade is implementing life cycle analyses and uses sustainable and biosourced materials. 

   Icade actively contributes to research and collective discussions in this area as part of organisations that focus on low-carbon buildings, such as ADIVbois and BBCA. Its projects act as pilot schemes to help establish new certifications and labels, such as E+C- (energy positive, carbon-reduction), BBCA (low-carbon building), and BiodiverCity. Icade also pilots smart building labels such as R2S (Ready to Service) and quality of life at work (OsmoZ). 

• Developing eco-mobility solutions

  In France, 70% of commuter journeys are made by car. A key player in service and residential properties, Icade has chosen to make sustainable mobility into an asset for its customers. Its buildings are located near public transport networks, and it rolls out innovative sustainable mobility solutions that improve users’ comfort: privately-owned public transport (a private fleet of 100% electric buses and electric river shuttles in business parks), charging points for electric vehicles, car-sharing, car-pooling and bike-sharing solutions, and more.