Ecological transition

To promote better control over wasted energy, we propose solutions to consumers and businesses to ensure their buildings are run economically.

With “Action Habitat”, local authorities receive support and guidance in their energy-saving renovation policies for housing. Through this programme, private consumers have the opportunity to benefit from the in-depth expertise of postmen trained in energy transition.

Indeed, they are now in a position to intervene at various key stages for anyone wishing to cut energy spending in their home, by detecting and raising awareness of needs for energy refurbishment work, helping assess needs, offering support in defining projects and setting up a mechanism to monitor the results obtained. Through such actions, postmen have at this point provided information to more than 30,000 households across France.

Our experts also offer guidance to businesses that wish to exert better control over energy spending on their sites. We consequently offer energy management solutions to business parks through SOBRE, a company that is the outcome of collaboration between our property arm Poste Immo, Caisse des Dépôts (the French institution entrusted with managing public funds) and EGIS, a firm of construction consultants and engineers.

Through a carbon measurement, reduction and offsetting programme, we are closely monitoring our own greenhouse gas emissions. To accelerate the energy transition of all our business units, we have consequently opted for 100% renewably-sourced electricity supplies for all buildings managed by our Poste Immo subsidiary, and the installation of an energy management system.

We have in this way delivered a 14% reduction since 2013, and we are currently determining a new pathway to reduce our emissions still further by 2025 in accordance with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. Residual emissions are the subject of the largest voluntary offsetting programme in Europe (9% of European carbon credits on the voluntary market), which positions the Group in this area as the leader in transforming its sector Europe-wide and allows all its customers to use 100% carbon-neutral services in mail, parcels, express and digital.

Developments in consumer habits, with the significant expansion of e-commerce in particular, have given rise to new requirements. How can millions of parcels be delivered without worsening air quality in towns and cities? As the leading outfit in town centre deliveries, we were the first to adopt new, cleaner practices that are more environmentally- and people-friendly. The best example of this is our establishment of the largest fleet of electric vehicles in the world. By the end of 2017, more than 50% of postmen’s rounds were travelled by non-motorised or electric transport.

The circular economy suggests we rethink the way we produce and consume to optimise natural resource use and curb the waste generated.

Le Groupe La Poste encourages transition from a linear to a circular economy by supporting gradual changes in behaviour and consumption patterns, including by developing new circular channels, especially shorter ones.

Deeply concerned by the question of proper use of resources, we are committed to using eco-design in our products and services, responsible consumption, mutualisation, extended lifespans and reuse of objects to give them a second purpose, and finally waste recycling.

This was the approach that led the Group to begin a responsible consumption and procurement policy in 2007. For example, 87% of the paper used is now responsibly-sourced. In other words, almost all is eco-certified, from recycling or sustainably-managed forests. In addition, the PAP50 survey that assesses the paper policies of the largest private- and public-sector organisations awarded a score of 75/100 to La Poste, making the Group the most responsible organisation in its sector (post/telecoms).

We also re-use our equipment after its post office life. Consequently, to mention only the most visible scheme, vehicles we no longer need are sold second-hand through our Véhiposte subsidiary. We recover and recycle our business waste. For example, 95% of our waste electric and electronic equipment was recovered and recycled in 2017. A good way to convert waste into resources. Beyond our own business, we are committed to promoting proper use and re-use of material resources through reverse logistics solutions that are simple and accessible to all entrepreneurs. We consequently established Recygo, an office waste sorting, collection and recycling service, which can be accessed by any business, anywhere in France, at any time.  Postmen consequently collected a total of 7,400 tonnes of paper in 2017.

The solutions La Poste implements for itself are also offered to French society in general, in the form of a range of services appropriate to the issues facing businesses and local authorities.

La Poste supports start-ups and social and solidarity economy structures through a number of innovation mechanisms it has either created or partnered, such as the Paris&Co business incubator, Le Groupe La Poste start-up competition, and the annual circular economy trophies led by the Ministry and the National Institute for the Circular Economy. Support can take several forms, e.g. trial organisation of community waste collection using employees, development advice, or affordable rents in post office buildings. Consequently, support is given for example to the Rejoué charity that collects, sorts, recovers and resells pre-owned toys at affordable prices; the Emmaüs label, a responsible marketplace enabling social and solidarity economy structures to train in and start up online sales; or Tricyclerie which collects bio-waste by bike.

By developing services and solutions so all French people can easily contribute to ecological transition, Le Groupe La Poste is confirming its leading position in this transition towards a sustainable world. We are now building our environmentally-friendly business model and our innovations to form the foundation for a better future.