For the last 15 years or so, Publicis Groupe has implemented its “Consume less & better” environmental policy which is based on five pillars – each backed by a performance indicator (see Section 4.5 Environment):
1. reducing forms of transport that produce high levels of CO2;
2. reducing energy consumption and sourcing 100% renewable energy;
3. reducing the consumption of raw materials: water, paper, plastics;
4. reducing waste in all its forms so as to achieve 100% recovery and recycling;
5. Group carbon neutrality by 2030.
Employees in all entities have come together to reach these targets, to find local solutions enabling them to better manage “irreducible” impacts.
At the beginning of 2020, the Group launched a Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to raise its requirements and commitment to alignment with the Paris Agreement, based on the 1.5° by 2030 scenario (see Section 4.1.5).
Specific measures and a number of collaborative tools in place in agencies mean that more than 95% of Group employees can work remotely in the event of severe weather conditions.
Audits are carried out throughout the year to analyze the resistance of the IT systems and to confirm the effectiveness of backup security systems to ensure service continuity.
Publicis Groupe expects its suppliers to make a serious commitment to combating climate change. Suppliers’ failure to commit to combating climate change will be grounds for non-selection during tenders launched with Group suppliers (global, regional, country, agency).
The main elements of the action plan are presented in Section 4.5. In 2020, the focus will be on raising awareness and motivating suppliers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and join in the 1.5° scenario target:
The Group has complied with the provisions of the Sapin II law, Article 17 II.1°; the Group has put in place the pillars of a plan for prevention, as provided for by the law, namely a Code of Conduct (Janus), which includes the anti-corruption policy, illustrating prohibited behaviors involving corruption or influence peddling. Risk mapping incorporates the risks of the Company’s exposure to corruption, and takes into account the geographical areas in which the Group operates.
In France, the anti-corruption policy is incorporated into the internal rules and, for this reason, has been the subject of the employee representative consultation procedure provided for in article L. 1321-4 of the French Employment Code.
The Group’s anti-corruption policy is updated on a regular basis. It forms part of the Janus Code of Ethics. It can be accessed by the general public in the CSR Smart Data section of the Group’s website (see www.publicisgroupe.com). It provides for the principle of zero tolerance of any form of corruption or bribery, specifying contexts or at-risk areas and any prohibitions with which individual employees and managers must comply.
More specific training was developed for managers and individuals with particular exposure to corruption risk. Janus addresses the issues of gifts, conflicts of interest and inappropriate or unethical behavior – either with clients or suppliers – competition and unfair practices. The Group’s legal experts play an important role in terms of awareness and the application of laws and regulations concerning corruption, fraud and money laundering. Based in the shared services centers (Re:Sources) and functioning under the Group’s Legal Department, these legal experts keep a constant eye on laws and regulations dealing with corruption. They work on prevention and lay down compliance procedures adapted to local markets. The aim is to maintain extremely strict standards that comply with current applicable regulations. Suppliers are assessed and verified in this regard before contracts are signed.
