French geological survey
Sustainable development
Over the course of three weeks (rather than just one week), from 16 September to 7 October, BRGM organised a series of events and initiatives as part of the European Sustainable Development and Mobility Weeks. The company's 330 participants all promote a common philosophy, based on the idea that "every action can contribute to building a more sustainable future". In line with the "France in transition" scheme created by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the programme included quizzes linked to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), documentaries, two walks through forest areas on the Orléans site and the traditional mobility challenge, which incites employees to give up using their private car and travel differently. "We wanted this year's programme to be based on solidarity," says Fabienne Boutreau, CSR Officer at BRGM's General Secretariat. "By converting the distance covered by the participants in the challenge into money, we managed to raise €750 for the Cent pour un Loiret association, which helps homeless families have access to housing and become more independent."
Our service provider, Rodolphe Beaubois – landscape gardener and nurseryman – guided the staff along the walks organised on the Orléans site in collaboration with the CSE's Sustainable Development commission. © BRGM
During these three weeks, the staff were also shown the results of an internal survey on commuting practices, carried out in spring 2021 (not including the period of the health crisis). This 66-point questionnaire was sent to everyone who comes to work on BRGM's various offices and sites, whether in Orléans or in the various regions of France. It was completed by 575 respondents, i.e. a return rate of almost 50%, and supplemented by 546 comments. It enabled us to improve our knowledge of employees' travel habits and to assess their intentions as regards changing practices – for example, opting for an electric vehicle, a bicycle or public transport – while also identifying their motivation as well as potential obstacles. "The results will provide input for the management's discussions with the staff Social and Economic Committee (French CSE) concerning the company's new mobility plan and the implementation of new measures aimed at encouraging employees to adopt a more sustainable form of mobility," says Fabienne Boutreau.
These same environmental concerns helped shape BRGM's business travel policy, which was completely overhauled on 1 July 2021. The new policy introduced a series of provisions to encourage the use of video-conferencing, train-travel and carpooling. "In addition to this, the agency that looks after the company business travel arrangements is now required to estimate the carbon footprint of each solution proposed to employees, in order to make them aware of the environmental impact of their journey and to help them make their choice", says Fabienne Boutreau.
Finally, over the course of the three weeks, the Orléans Metropolitan Council held two conferences to present the results of the Assises de la transition écologique (ecological transition forum) organised by the local authority during the first half of 2021. BRGM was invited to participate in this forum in a pilot study concerning sustainable mobility in civil society and thus contributed to the emergence of new solutions. This represents a host of opportunities that can be seized upon to promote the mobility of the future at regional level.
One of the electric vehicles used for moving around on the BRGM site in Orléans. © BRGM - C. Boucley
BRGM's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications – obtained in 2004 and 2012 respectively – acknowledge the company's efforts to ensure the quality and efficiency of its activities and control their environmental footprint. Both certifications were renewed in 2021 for three years, following an audit carried out by AFNOR in Orléans and in the various regional offices. This renewal demonstrates the effectiveness of the work carried out, further confirmed by our 94% customer satisfaction rating in 2021. The audit also highlighted the actions implemented to reduce BRGM's environmental footprint, for example: the expansion of our fleet of electric vehicles; greater consideration of environmental performance criteria in purchasing; the continuation of teleworking (following the Covid pandemic lockdowns); building maintenance focusing on improving energy performance, etc. "The auditors also appreciated the robustness of our risk analysis process, which is conducted ahead of every project in order to reduce the environmental impact," explains Hervé Riolland, Head of the Auditing Risks and Quality
