Universal Registration Document 2024

Glossary

Pursuant to the methodology, the greenhouse gases considered are those listed in the French Order of August 24, 2011 relating to greenhouse gases covered by greenhouse gas emissions assessments, namely: carbon (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

This comprehensive approach allows us to meet the transparency and comprehensiveness criteria required by the CSRD while respecting the principles of relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency and precision of the GHG Protocol. The data is verified by an independent third party, thus guaranteeing the reliability and comparability of our reports, fully in line with the objectives of the CSRD aimed at standardizing and improving the quality of non-financial reporting.

The total of Scopes 1 + 2 (Market Based) + 3 in 2024, for the entire Groupe and its subsidiaries, is estimated at 287,077 TeqCO2, i.e. a carbon intensity of 2.65 TeqCO2 per capita. This increase in emissions is linked to the Company’s economic growth and is particularly visible in Scope 3, in particular the “purchased goods & services” category.

[E1-6-46]

The breakdown by category of the GHG Protocol follows the presentation submitted and validated by SBTi for the 2030 and 2040 targets: [E1-4-32, 33, 34a & 34b]

Scopes 1 and 2

With regard to Publicis Groupe’s intellectual services activities, the impact mainly comes from:

  1. business travel by car, estimated at 9,153 km, for associated emissions of 4,223 TeqCO2. 2024 was marked by a resumption of business travel. For company vehicles or service cars, for the past 15 years, the Groupe has aligned its professional vehicles policy (Car Policy) on the European targets of 95 g CO2 maximum, and supports the target of zero-emission road mobility by 2035 indicated in the European draft regulation Fit-for-55. Individual practices have evolved in favor of hybrid and electric vehicles;
  2. energy consumed is estimated at 110,188 MWh for associated emissions of 16,491 TeqCO2 [E1-4-32, E1-4-34, E1-5-36]

Direct source renewable energy, via suppliers, represents 65.2% of total consumption (based on certifications given by electricity suppliers) and 75% including offices in the United States where the transition to renewable energy sources is blocked and can only be achieved through the establishment of long-term contracts. Growth is slow because, in some countries, the energy mix has increased little or even declined. The 100% RE plan for 2030 will be strengthened to take into account unexpected volatility. It is based on several points:

  • reducing energy consumption, regardless of the source, everywhere,
  • the switch to 100% renewable energy supply contracts is continuing through discussions with the managers of the buildings where our offices are located,
  • careful examination of the places (countries, states, buildings) where the situation is structurally blocked, i.e. the Groupe cannot choose its energy supplier or energy mix: for example, when it is a market regulated by the state, or a city; if the building operator is blocked by its contract with a supplier that does not offer renewable energy; if we are faced with a refusal of the other tenants to switch to renewable energy due to a price difference. In these cases, intellectual services companies such as Publicis have no room for maneuver to accelerate the use of direct renewable energy sources, other than the purchase of RECs and long-term contracts.

After purchases of RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) and GOs (Guarantees of Origin), this rate rose to 95% in 2024. The Groupe CSR Department, together with the Real Estate Department, reviews the progress of these contract changes at least twice a year with the local teams and contributes directly to the negotiations if necessary.

Efforts continue to improve energy efficiency and best practices (switch-off policy for computers and machines such as printers, as well as night and weekend lighting). As part of the transition plan, the energy efficiency of the offices will continue to improve in the next two years through some future moves in the United States and France, working towards buildings with high energy and environmental performance;

  1. data centers: in addition to the ongoing work to optimize and rationalize servers, an analysis project was launched at the end of 2023 to gain a picture of energy issues in our own and shared data centers, as well as those of our partners, particularly in the cloud. In recent years, an average annual improvement of 10% to 12% has been obtained and the intention is to go further: