IdealPlanet: preserve the environment

Reduce the carbon footprint and the consumption of energy, natural resources and waste

Convinced that action by the private sector is crucial to meet the target set by the Paris Agreement, Edenred announced in 2022 its ambition to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050, as part of its Beyond_22-25 strategic plan. 

On this occasion, the Group also strengthened its "Ideal" CSR policy by formalising key performance indicators, accompanied by quantifiable targets with two milestones in 2030 and 2050, approved by SBTi in 2024.

Edenred is committed to:

• Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 51.4% by 2030, and 90% by 2050, from a 2019 base year³;
• Reduce its scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions 55% per million euros value added by 2030 and 97% per million euros value added by 2050, from a 2019 base year. 

In order to achieve these ambitious targets, Edenred has put in place a concrete plan to reduce its carbon emissions that covers:

• The energy consumption of buildings. In 2023, the intensity of its direct carbon emissions per surface area was reduced by 61% compared to 2013.
• The reduction of the environmental footprint of IT equipment and servers, with an objective to reduce their PUE (power usage effectiveness). To do that, Edenred has an increased usage of virtual servers and seeks to constantly optimize the use of energy; as from 2023, some 64% of Edenred’s data centers are consuming renewable energy.
• The adoption of a sustainable procurement policy and the elaboration of an ethics charter for its suppliers.

By turning to digital media such as cards, smartphones and online platforms, Edenred is able to reduce the impact of its activities on paper resources. At the same time, Edenred is committed to using FSC-certified paper (from sustainably managed forests) or recycled paper in the production of its vouchers in 20 subsidiaries (representing 92% of the business volume of subsidiaries with paper vouchers).

Design eco-services

The Group encourages new forms of sustainable mobility by developing low-carbon services and solutions. 

In 2022, Edenred launched "Move for Good", a global sustainability program enabling its transport and mobility clients to mitigate their environmental impact, while promoting the preservation of biodiversity. It is structured around 3 pillars:

1. Measure and reduce emissions through the switch to less carbon-intensive mobility options (such as electric of bioethanol vehicles).
2. Offset remaining emissions through third-party certified projects, such as avoided deforestation, or methane recovery.
3. Raise awareness among our community with access to the best knowledge and resources.

Edenred USA's Commuter Benefits solution allows American employees, since 2017, to use different means of transportation (bus, subway, bicycle) instead of their own car.

In 2020, Edenred France launched a card for employees to facilitate home-to-work travel and support the transition to more environmentally friendly mobility. With their Edenred account, any employee can easily buy a bike, carpool or use self-service soft mobility (bicycles, scooters, car sharing).

Edenred also pays special attention to food waste as part of several initiatives.

In 2019, Edenred formed a new partnership in Chile with Karübag, a company that uses vermicomposting to treat and recover organic waste from offices, homes, restaurants and other places. Since its launch, over 36 of Edenred’s corporate clients have joined the Karübag initiative.

Framheim, a startup specialized in the fight against food waste, sent a questionnaire to some 180,000 Edenred partner restaurant owners in France to find out more about their anti-food waste practices and define their commitments. Since this 2018 survey, 400 establishments were awarded the label in 2019.

In Austria, Edenred launched a partnership with the organization Too Good To Go in April 2019 to encourage partners and employees in Edenred’s network to fight against food waste. Other Edenred countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Italy, also teamed up with the startup since 2021. 

The Ticket EcoCheque solution, created in 2009 in Belgium, promotes products and services that respect the environment. It encourages more responsible purchasing in various fields, including food, lifestyle, furniture, and transport.

Managing the impact of solutions during their lifetime

Edenred solutions are increasingly dematerialized. The eco-design is also one of the priority areas of Edenred's environmental policy. The Group carries out Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies in its countries to assess the environmental impact of its products. The first was carried out in 2017 to compare the impact of paper and that of the card for the Ticket Restaurant solution. The results underline that the card is more virtuous: it generates almost two-thirds (64%) less greenhouse gas emissions than paper vouchers.

When paper cannot be replaced, subsidiaries are encouraged to use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or recycled paper for the production of their tickets. In 2021, 20 subsidiaries (i.e. 92% of the volume of paper vouchers) are following these recommendations, limiting their impact on the timber industry.

In addition, the Group was the first to set up a card collection and recycling system within its French subsidiary. When their card expires, the beneficiary receives a new one, along with the procedures for returning the old one to encourage recycling. The old card is ground by an Edenred partner using an entirely mechanical process (environmentally friendly), and the materials obtained (98% plastic, 2% metals) are used to manufacture new products.

Long-term Group’s commitments

1. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies' targets.

2. The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.

3. GHG: greenhouse gas.

4. Targets calculated using the Science Based Targets initiative methodology.