GECINA - REFERENCE DOCUMENT 2017

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FROM CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY TO SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE Priority 3: reduce environmental footprint by a resource-efficient and carbon-neutral real estate

7.5.3

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Background 7.5.3.1 In contrast to the linear model, the circular economy is inspired by the functioning of natural ecosystems to optimize the use of resources at all stages of a product life cycle. This model aims to dissociate economic growth from depletion through the creation of innovative products, services and business models. The HQE-GBC France alliance has established a framework for defining the circular economy that is adapted to buildings by identifying 12 working areas grouped into four main ambitions: territorial optimization of flows (knowledge of resources ■ and potentialities, connectivity and sustainable supply); sobriety (optimization of needs, eco-design and economy ■ of functionality); extension of life expectancy (durability of products and ■ equipment, scalability of spaces and uses and approach as an overall cost); creation of resources to limit waste (dismantling and ■ selective decommissioning, recovery and reuse, and recycling). Gecina’s CSR approach responds to each of these ambitions by taking into account the various working areas mentioned at different levels. Some are treated in the action plans of other physical challenges, such as the economy of

functionality in the challenge of urban diversity and inclusion of surroundings (see 7.4.1), scalability in the challenge of adaptability and reversibility (see 7.3.2 and 7.7.6) and product sustainability in the challenge of biodiversity (see 7.4.2). The project management and manager model adopted by Gecina also encourages it to spontaneously take into account the repairability, maintenance and overall cost of equipment in its construction choices. Other areas for improvement are identified by Gecina as levers of performance, such as connectivity and optimization of needs (see 7.6.6) or responsible purchasing (see 7.6.4). The integration of requirements in specifications such as the carbon weight of products (see 7.5.1) or specific labels (FSC, PEFC, etc.) encourages supply sobriety and the use of local channels. Other areas for improvement are taken into account in the action plan described in the following paragraph and focus mainly on project eco-design, dismantling and selective decommissioning, recovery and reuse and material recycling. Given the number of projects under development and the large quantity of materials and waste produced during construction, Gecina is undertaking specific actions in this area. At the same time, the property division is continuing its efforts to optimize the management of operational waste.

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