Universal Registration Document 2023

4.3.10.2.3 Climate and environmental risks monitored

For around the last 15 years, Publicis Groupe has had in place its “Net Zero Climate Policy,” which is based on eight pillars aligned with the SBTi objectives – each one of these pillars is backed by a performance indicator (see Section 4.1 "Environment"):

• reduction in transportation;
• reduction in energy consumption and switch to 100% direct‑source renewable energy;
• reduction in the consumption of natural resources and raw materials;
• reduction in waste volume;
• reduction of the impact of campaigns and projects carried out for clients: A.L.I.C.E. (Advertising Limiting Impacts & Carbon Emissions, see Section 4.3.8.3);
• innovation in terms of products and services for clients;
• reduction in the impacts related to goods and services purchased: CSR self‑assessment and environmental P.A.S.S (Publicis Groupe Providers’ Platform for a self‑Assessment for a Sustainable Supply chain, see Section 4.3.9.2);
• Net Zero by 2040: 50% reduction in emissions by 2030; and 90% reduction in emissions by 2040, with the ambition to be Net Zero by 2040.

In 2022, in‑depth work was carried out on the analysis of risks related to climate change, in order to take into consideration both physical risks and transition risks and their potential impacts on the Group’s activity and on employees, bearing in mind that Publicis Groupe is not exposed to serious risks with regard to the provision of intellectual services to companies (see Section 4.1.2.2). 

Employees in all entities have come together to reach these targets, to find local solutions enabling them to better manage the so‑called irreducible impacts of our activities. Publicis Groupe expects its suppliers to make a serious commitment to combating climate change and alignment with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

This aspect of the vigilance plan complies with the principles and policies of the Janus Code of Conduct and Ethics, in particular:

• climate policy: Net Zero;
• CSR for Business Guidelines (Responsible procurement);
• whistleblowing system.

The Net Zero climate policy is aligned with the United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and with the 2015 United Nations Paris Agreement.

4.3.10.3  - Systems in place for the application and monitoring of the Duty of Care Plan

The Duty of Care plan is based on the principles and policies defined in the Janus Code of Conduct and Ethics. Agency CEOs are responsible for implementing local measures and the indicators are monitored at Groupe level. Measures are implemented with the involvement of Shared Service Centers (Re:Sources). Procedures are implemented to assess the situation of subsidiaries, subcontractors or suppliers with which there is an established commercial relationship.

Aspects relating to the Groupe’s employees are monitored by the HR/Talent teams of the agencies and countries through the indicators mentioned and supplemented where necessary. Aspects relating to the Groupe’s suppliers are monitored by the Groupe’s Procurement Department, in conjunction with the Groupe’s CSR Department (see Section 4.3.9 "Responsible procurement") The CSR for Business Guidelines document presents 15 key topics, with increased requirements for several criteria. This document (accessible on the Groupe’s website) is a mandatory appendix to any contract signed between the Groupe and a supplier. Publicis Groupe uses the EcoVadis platform and invites its suppliers to be assessed on this platform; other assessments by neutral and independent third parties, dating from 12 to 18 months, are recognized by the Procurement Department. For local suppliers, mainly small and medium‑sized companies, they can conduct a CSR self‑assessment on the proprietary “P.A.S.S” platform (see Section 4.2.7).