Constructing a sustainable town
The strong presence of the Caisse des Dépôts Group in the property and urban development sectors explain its commitment in favour of the sustainable development of these sectors.
In practical terms, the commitment of the group translates into actions in the fields of eco-districts, accommodation, transport, universities and hospitals.
The entire group (the public group and its subsidiaries) gets involved in these issues.
Several priorities guide our actions :
- create a culture shared by all of the employees of the group,
- contribute to research with our partners,
- adapt our financing to the new needs of territorial authorities, social housing bodies and town operators.
Eco-districts
Eco-districts anticipate the urban development of the future.
They combine environmental objectives (energy, water, biodiversity, waste), social diversity, and the promotion of more sustainable lifestyles and mobility.
They also contribute to the emergence of dynamic economic sectors (eco-industries and eco-services).
In 2009, the group will support about thirty projects.
How?
- by co-financing engineering studies;
- by offering loans at special rates for the acquisition of land where eco-districts will be built;
- by investing in accommodation and facilities;
- in order to encourage their economic and environmental coherence, an internal reference framework has been established.
Housing
The leading funder of social accommodation in France, Caisse des Dépôts proposes a range of "Energy Performance" loans at attractive rates to social housing bodies. These loans finance the building of "Very High Energy Performing" housing.
In support of the Grenelle de l’environnement (French multi-party debate on the environment), Caisse des Dépôts has launched a package of loans for the 2009-2010 period at the subsidized rate of 1.9 % to finance the thermal renovation of 100 000 social houses which consume the most energy (morethan 230 kWh/m²).
Universities and hospitals
In 2008, Caisse des Dépôts launched a priority programme of engineering and investment to support the modernisation of universities and their transition to autonomy. This programme includes the creation of an energy-CO2 map of universities
and supports several university initiatives.
Within the framework of the renovation plan Hôpital 2012, Caisse des Dépôts grants loans at preferential rates for projects which comply with the high environmental quality standard of healthcare facilities.
Transport
Within the framework of the economic reflationl plan, Caisse des Dépôts is dedicating a package of loans totalling €8 billion to transport infrastructure. Launched in 2009, the loans are principally aimed at public transport with low greenhouse gas emissions: High speed railway lines, waterways, tramways…
The commitment of our subsidiaries
Icade, a listed property company, has evaluated the greenhouse gas emissions which result from its activity and has drawn up an action plan to reduce them. Icade was the initiator of the first HEQ- certified (High Environmental Quality) services building: building 270 in the EMGP Park in Aubervilliers. Icade extends this certification to all of the new buildings in the EMGP Park in Aubervilliers which is a business eco-district.
The SNI Group, France’s leading lessor with a stock of 260,000 housing units, published the Livre Vert (Green Book) in which it commits to renovate its housing stock and to quarter its greenhouse gas emissions. It is innovating in terms of the ecological footprint of the construction industry with its EvE tool.
Compagnie des Alpes, a major leader in the leisure business in Europe, has committed to a quality, safety and environment certification programme for all its ski resorts.
Belambra, France’s leading holiday club, based on its carbon footprint, has included energy and water saving and the requalification of natural spaces in its renovation programme.
Société forestière (Forestry Society), French leader in forest management , offers innovative services for sustainable forestry management and the valorisation of CO2 capturing.
Egis, a leader in infrastructure engineering, has extensive expertise in sustainable land development: eco-mobility, climate change, access to water, the sustainability of buildings, and biodiversity.
Transdev, the 4th public transport operator in Europe, and the world tramway leader, proposes sustainable transport solutions.
