NET ZERO CLIMATE POLICY
SBTi targets – 1.5 °C scenario:
Reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scopes 1 + 2 + 3):
- Less than 50% by 2030
- Less than 90% by 2040
The 8 action levers to reduce impacts:
- #1 – Transportation Reduce professional and personal journeys.
- #2 – Energy Reduction of energy consumption, transition to 100% RE* from direct sources.
- #3 – Raw Materials Reduce consumption of paper, water, and plastic.
- #4 – Waste Reduce waste and increase recycling.
- #5 – A.L.I.C.E¹ Reduce the carbon emissions of the work we are doing for our clients.
- #6 – Innovation Group products and services that enable customers to reduce their environmental impact.
- #7 – P.A.S.S.² Reduce environmental impacts with our suppliers (purchased goods and services).
- #8 – Employee Engagement Overall objective: To reduce the impacts.
The Net Zero Climate Policy is part of Janus, the Groupe’s Code of Ethics and Conduct (publicly available), which responds to an absolute priority: reducing all Climate and Biodiversity impacts. This policy was built with 2019 as the reference year. The targets of a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a 90% reduction by 2040 could suggest a linear reduction curve; however, it will not be linear due to the Groupe’s economic growth, which masks certain reduction results, and the risks that may arise from actions undertaken with acceleration or plateau phases. It incorporates elements of the adaptation plan and covers the major levers of the Transition plan; it is structured around the following eight levers:
[ESRS 2 MDR-T 78 & 79, E1-2-24, E1-2-25, E1-4-34]
- reduction of transportation, particularly by air, and its impacts, thanks to the reduction in air business travel and the use of teleconferencing tools. In Janus, the Code of Ethics and Conduct, the Travel Policy is applicable to all employees: it specifies the conditions for using air transportation and encourages using the train when local infrastructures allow it. Various scenarios for the future development of business air travel have been studied to adjust our travel validation policy and processes. The Groupe’s international dimension and the need to regularly hold face-to-face discussions with clients imply a need to think differently about business travel to group meetings more effectively (Section 4.2.4);
- reduction in energy consumption and switch to 100% direct-source renewable energy. In recent years, Re:Sources teams have focused on improving the energy efficiency of offices and buildings, seeking to limit the impacts of electricity, heating and air conditioning. Specific work began in 2023 on the energy consumption of own and external data centers and continued in 2024 (Section 4.2.7.4);
- reduction in consumption of natural resources and raw materials (mainly paper, water, plastics). The global plan launched at the beginning of 2020 to eliminate single-use plastics (Zero Single-Use Plastic) from all agencies in order to rapidly comply with the ambitious objectives of the plan voted by the European Parliament remains a priority;
- reduction of the volume of waste: the systematic use of recycling channels, particularly for electronics and IT products (WEEE – Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment), and the organized management of non-hazardous waste remain the priority wherever possible (the Groupe does not operate hazardous waste);
- reduction of the impacts of campaigns and projects completed for clients: the Groupe has created an internal impact assessment platform called A.L.I.C.E. (Advertising Limiting Impacts & Carbon Emissions), which makes it possible to measure and find less impactful options (Section 4.3.13.2);
- product and service innovation at agency and country level, with new solutions offered to clients to support their energy and environmental transition. In 2022, Razorfish France launched Razoscan, which analyzes the energy consumption of a website, and in 2023 Publicis Sapient France launched e-Footprint with a fairly similar scope, also operating on e-commerce sites (retail) (Section 4.2.1.4);
- reduction of the impacts related to purchased goods and services: this translates into greater supplier commitment to the Paris Agreement trajectory and the 1.5° C scenario. The CSR for Business Guidelines are an integral part of the contracts signed with suppliers. This document details the 17 CSR commitments that Publicis Groupe asks them to follow. Groupe or strategic suppliers are required to be assessed by an independent third party in terms of CSR (EcoVadis or others). For other suppliers, a self-assessment platform for their CSR and environmental approach has been created: P.A.S.S. (Publicis Groupe Providers’ Platform for a self-Assessment for a Sustainable Supply chain). It allows the supplier to voluntarily share its environmental data and reduction targets (Section 4.3.10.4); [E1-1-14, E1-1-16 (a) & (b), E1-3-28, E1-3-AR 19 (d)]
- mobilization of teams: everyone must act both in their daily lives and in the services provided to clients, and through environmentally and socially responsible implementation of projects. Team training is key; several internal programs, such as NIBI (No Impact for Big Impact) and external Fresque du Climat-type programs, with duly trained staff, or facilitators. All employees can access these programs online on the Marcel platform, the key stage being the final workshop to develop concrete, useful solutions with a positive impact in the short and medium term. The issue of commuting is addressed in a large number of agencies, with the implementation of local financial incentive schemes, encouraging soft mobility and shared mobility (Section 4.2.4). [E1-2 AR 18)]