Following the principles of circular economy, Unibail-Rodamco announces its commitment to the DEMOCLES programme along with the City of Paris. The project is part of the “Better Places 2030” CSR engagements, and aims at improving management and recycling for demolition waste, for all the properties the group owns or manages.
In France, the construction industry generates 40 million tons of waste every year – 90% of which coming from destruction and renovation works (FFB). Thus, as part of the “Better Places 2030” programme, the ambitious plan for sustainable growth recently presented by Christophe Cuvillier, Chairman of the Board at Unibail-Rodamco, the group announced its implication in the DEMOCLES project.
Better Places 2030 aims at addressing the major challenges of commercial real estate for the next 15 years. This strategy will be incorporated into the entire value chain of the group: from the design and construction of new development projects to the renovation or extension works of existing assets, as well as the daily operation of its assets.
In compliance with Better Places 2030 and following the principles of circular economy, the Group strives to improve its policy in terms of destruction waste management and recycling. The initiative includes restructuring operations for rented spaces and for owned assets. For this reason, Unibail-Rodamco decided to engage in the DEMOCLES programme, which will help the group apply best practices – in terms of contracts and operations, – helping to recycle destruction waste locally for all the properties the group owns or manages.
DEMOCLES is a collaborative initiative, reuniting more than 40 organisms, companies, institutions and administrations, aiming at improving the management of waste resulting from destruction or renovation works. The project helps to manage waste and to maximise their recycling, while respecting economical balances. DEMOCLES will bring solutions to achieve the goals set by the Energy Transition Law: a 70% recycling rate for demolition waste by 2020. The programme is moderated and coordinated by Récylum, an eco-organism which recycles professional electrical components, among which those from the construction industry.
The commitment of Unibail-Rodamco in the DEMOCLES project is one of the pillars of the group to meet its goal to reduce by -50% its carbon emissions by 2030. The objective, driven by Ludovic Flandin, recently appointed Managing Director CSR by Christophe Cuvillier, revolves around three axes:
- Reducing by -35% the carbon footprint from the construction of new development projects
- Reducing by -70% the carbon footprint from the operation of existing assets
- 100% green electricity
The DEMOCLES initiative is therefore another brick to the implementation of this strategy, just like the commitment of the group to equip all its shopping centres with LED lighting systems.