Positive mobility to preserve biodiversity

To preserve the integrity of natural habitats or ensure the continued movement of wild species, we are developing new solutions through our subsidiaries on four continents, strengthening our partnerships, and providing training in good practice in biodiversity preservation.

Raising the environmental awareness of motorists

With a network of nearly 4,000 km in 16 countries, VINCI Highways’ actions to maintain and even improve biodiversity have a significant impact.

For instance, on sections of the M11 motorway we operate in Russia, animal crossings have been specially built for large wildlife species to ensure ecological continuity.

Another example is in Greece, where similar attention and commitment has been provided to work towards the protection of wildlife species, in particular bats, in a Natura 2000 site along the Athens-Patras motorway.

In Colombia, 3,388 endemic trees were planted by VINCI Highways’ teams as part of a compensation and reforestation programme linked to work on the Bogotá-Girardot motorway.

Raising motorists’ awareness of the challenges of preserving biodiversity is also an important focus. In the Czech Republic, VINCI Highways has conducted information campaigns on the richness of the flora and fauna found along its network using interactive panels at rest areas.

Restoring the natural heritage along the SEA HSL

The ecological compensation measures taken on the South Europe Atlantique High-Speed Line, in particular to recreate 3,800 ha of natural areas along the lines, are unprecedented in the history of infrastructures in terms of their scope and diversity.

In addition to these measures, the LISEA Biodiversity Foundation, created by the concession company, provides long-term support for projects to preserve species and restore the natural heritage in the departments crossed by the railway line. For example, LISEA Biodiversité supports a programme run by the League for the Protection of Birds, which aims to save the European mink, of which the Charente basin is one of the last habitats on the continent.

Putting airports on a sustainable path

A sustainable airport constantly seeks to reduce, and if possible neutralise, the impact of its activities on the environment. In 2015, VINCI Airports became the first airport operator in the world to define a global policy to control and reduce its environmental impact.

Since around 70% of our 45 airport platforms are made up of natural environments, preserving biodiversity is one of VINCI Airports’ priorities. To this end, fauna and flora inventories are carried out at all the network’s airports, and biodiversity preservation actions are implemented at each platform.

For example, with a 70% reduction in pesticides between 2018 and 2020, VINCI Airports is in the process of eliminating the use of phytosanitary products on all its platforms, and is undertaking protection and monitoring of pollinating insects in partnership with the French National Beekeeping Union.

Several other partnerships for the protection of biodiversity have been established in the network, notably at ANA in Portugal (with CERVAS and RIAS), as well as at Gatwick (Gatwick Greenspace Partnership and Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre), whose biodiversity management has once again been recognised by the Wildlife Trusts biodiversity Benchmark Award.

Committed to raising passenger awareness of the challenges of protecting biodiversity, VINCI Airports has also set up a travelling exhibition in France on the wildlife present on airport sites, which will end in July.

Continuously improving the customer experience while reducing our environmental impact is the driving force behind VINCI Concessions and our teams, who are committed to finding the most effective solutions for tomorrow: those that reconcile utility and well-being, respect for people and respect for the planet.