ESG/CSR
A CSR policy firmly rooted at the heart of the GL events Group's business model and strategy
Since its creation, the GL events Group's entrepreneurial adventure has been based on a culture of responsibility and respect for its ecosystem at all levels of the company. It is in this spirit that, in 2009, the Executive Management decided to launch a specific Sustainable Development initiative, taking on a pioneering role in addressing social and environmental issues. Ethical management, whether through the implementation of anti-corruption measures, compliance with safety and security requirements, or training, remains the foundation of the Group's CSR approach, represented by all the men and women who make up the Group.
This strategy is divided into three main areas:
ACT 1: PLANET
Faced with the climate emergency, the challenge is clear: take concrete action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For GL events, this means implementing an ambitious plan to reduce energy consumption at its sites, increasing the use of renewable energies, reducing the carbon footprint of transport (employees, visitors, logistics) and taking sustainability criteria into account in its purchasing. The aim is to support and play a part in the low-carbon transition of the entire events sector.
At the same time, the circular economy is emerging as a key sustainability lever for the Group. The aim: to maximise the circularity of our business models in order to reduce the use of resources and the impact of waste.
Highlights 2024:
- Carbon footprint reduced by 4% per € of revenue.
- Reduction in the Group's energy consumption by 6% compared with 2023. 75% of the Group's electricity is renewable, including 100% for the Brazilian and French sites.
- 13 hectares of photovoltaic panels being installed on the Eurexpo site.
- 5% reduction in waste generated per € of sales and 46% waste sorting rate.
- Optimised use of floors during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, saving the equivalent of 6 football pitches' worth of carpet.
- Deployment of a waste management guide at Venues sites in France.
- Mapping of sites in water stress zones by 2050.
- 7 Purchasing/CSR Clubs per product family to develop eco-design.
ACT 2: PEOPLE
We guarantee the health and safety of our employees by taking preventive action and monitoring incidents. We promote career development by encouraging training, internal mobility and the sharing of knowledge. We ensure that diversity and inclusion are present in our recruitment and management practices.
Highlights 2024 :
- Deployment of the Group's new Diversity and Inclusion policy.
- Agefiph action diagnosis carried out in France to facilitate the implementation of a framework conducive to the employment and development of disabled employees within the Group.
- 17.2 hours of training on average per employee.
Julie Lambert
ACT 3: COMMUNITIES
We support local economic development by working with local stakeholders and the social economy. We promote ethical governance by preventing the risks of corruption and ensuring the transparency of our activities. We involve our suppliers in responsible purchasing by integrating CSR criteria and monitoring our practices. The aim: to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable development of the Group's activities in the territories in which it operates.
Highlights 2024:
- 600 SSE (Social and Solidarity Economy) service providers used during the year (+14% on 2023).
- Nearly 130,000 hours of social integration were recorded for projects linked to contracts with Paris 2024 as part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Partnerships and agreements in place with Sport dans la Ville, the Hosmoz network (formerly GESAT) and Lyon La Duchère.
- Implementation of various policies and procedures to prevent and manage the risks of corruption: Anti-corruption Code of Conduct; Ethics Charter; Code of Business Conduct; Gifts and Invitations Policy; Sponsorship and Patronage Policy.
A COLLECTIVE DYNAMIC IN THE PROFESSIONAL AND LOCAL ECOSYSTEM
GL events is heavily involved in professional organizations such as UNIMEV and UFI, where it plays an active part in environmental commissions. In 2022, the Group signed a commitment to green growth with UNIMEV and the public authorities, in favor of more responsible waste management, the development of reuse and the reduction of food waste.
GL events is also helping to update the ISO 20121 standard, the benchmark for responsible event management. In 2024, 44% of the Group's entities were ISO certified (mainly ISO 20121), covering more than 40% of sales.
DISTINCTIONS
The CSR/ESG policies and actions of the Group or its main entities have been evaluated:
- Ethifinance Silver Medal (score of 74/100 in 2024) rating established on 170 ESG criteria since 2015.
- Axylia: Best carbon score “A”.
- Carbon Disclosure Project Score (CDP): B- ; score in CDP Climate 2024, including for the first time the water and forestry dimensions, testifying to the soundness of the Group's emissions reduction trajectory.
- Kréa Award: Company of the Year, a distinction that celebrates creativity, boldness and responsible commitment in the events industry.
- GL events UK: Award for the best temporary structure
- Metropolitan Santiago Convention & Event Center: Award for the best convention and event centre in South America
In terms of certifications:
- ISO 20121: 40 entities certified (responsible event management), including all the Group's event venues in France.
- ISO 9001: 6 entities certified (quality management).
- ISO 14001: 3 entities certified (environmental management).
- ISO 45001: 2 entities certified (occupational health and safety management)
GL events is committed to a CSR approach aligned with major global challenges. The Group has selected 13 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the UN, in line with the nature of its activities, its organizational structure and its ecosystem. This structured approach is fully in line with the double materiality imposed by the CSRD, guaranteeing a perfect match between its CSR priorities and today's global challenges.
GL events' Sustainability Report is available here
You will find all the information you need on the Group's CSR policy, our commitments and actions in terms of sustainability.
ESG / RSE
Retrouvez ici les rapports RSE du Groupe.