Environment – Energy transition and resource preservation

Our commitments

• Contributing to the fight against climate change

  Icade is taking action and making carbon reduction a priority. In accordance with the French low-carbon strategy for the building sector, Icade has made new CSR commitments in keeping with a +2°C or even +1.5°C trajectory. Icade is working to reduce its carbon footprint and to offer assets that are resilient to the consequences of climate change. As part of this, it has implemented an action plan with a budget of €50 million, whose aims include reducing the carbon intensity of its 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 as a source of appeal

  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. 

  Since 2016, Icade has been managing biodiversity at its business parks through biodiversity performance contracts with CDC Biodiversité. As part of these contracts, indicators such as levels of fauna and flora and management of green spaces are measured and improved. Icade also invests heavily in the development of urban farming. In 2017, it opened one of the largest urban farms in France:  Farmhouse Aubervilliers – a 1000 m² vertical market garden and aquaponic farm at the Portes de Paris business park. Finally, for all development projects, a biodiversity study is always carried out. Several projects have been awarded BiodiverCity status, such as the restoration of the Ateliers Vaugirard (Paris 15th arrondissement), which includes plans for a market gardening farm on the roof and almost 1,000 m² of planted surface area. 

• Incorporating the principles of the circular economy into our offering

  In 2018, Icade teamed up with Egis to launch Cycle Up, the first digital platform to help reuse site materials, and which is open to the entire property sector.

  Icade also installs sorting centres and collection points for used objects at its properties, as well as water management and consumption reduction solutions. It raises its customers’ awareness of best practice in terms of waste management and water consumption via green lease committees – another area in which Icade was a pioneer.

• 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.