Keolis' environmental commitments

Faced with the environmental emergency, global population growth and urbanisation, Keolis today stands out as a responsible and committed company working in support of the ecological and social transition. Its employees take steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their activities and mobility services, as set out in the company’s CSR policy. The Group displays the ambition of becoming the leader in sustainable low-carbon mobility and, in partnership with public transport authorities, building transport networks that do more to protect the environment, biodiversity, and public health.

Keolis’ public service mission fits naturally into the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: by reducing the role of personal cars, the Group works to promote sustainable cities and communities.

The Group’s environment policy comprises three key undertakings:

• Contribute to climate change mitigation through its practices and promoting sustainablemobility

• Protect the environment by controlling its activities and preventing pollution

• Continuously improve its environmental approach.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

50% of Keolis' greenhouse gas emissions are generated by transport and traction. The Group has set itself the target of reducing emissions per kilometre by 30% between 2019 and 2030. To achieve this, Keolis applies a structural approach in all its entities, including the deployment of electric buses or the installation of braking energy recovery systems on metro networks.

Improving waste recovery

Keolis subsidiaries are also continuing their efforts to improve the recovery rate of their waste, with sorting, recovery or elimination guidelines tailored to the local context (applicable legal regulations). In 2023, 83% of hazardous waste was recovered, a 10-point increase over two years.      

Controlling energy and water consumption

Conscious of their impact on water resources, Keolis subsidiaries take measures to reduce their consumption: systems for recycling vehicle washing water and/or rainwater recovery systems. Through these efforts, water consumption dropped by 9% between 2022 and 2023.      

In Antibes, France, the local subsidiary has gone one step further by building the first above-ground car park to incorporate all the criteria of the "Bâtiments Durables Méditerranéens" label: solar panels, low-carbon concrete floors, recycled wood partitions and rainwater recovery.

With regard to energy consumption, each Keolis subsidiary has drawn up its own energy efficiency plan.

Supporting the local economy

Another example of action combining local, environmental and economic commitment is a policy of sustainable and local purchasing. For example, in 2022, the Keolis Lyon subsidiary sourced 56% of its purchases from suppliers in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. More generally, in 2021 the Group launched an initiative to encourage its suppliers to take part in reforestation projects.

60% of Keolis' turnover is covered by ISO 14001 certification, the most widely recognised environmental management system in the world. This certification testifies to the holistic approach and commitment of all its employees to reducing the environmental impact of activities. The goal for 2030 is to have 80% of the Group’s turnover covered by ISO 14001 certification.  

The Group assists public transport authorities in improving the environmental performance of their transport networks. It encourages multimodality, shared mobility and active mobility (carpooling, cycling, etc.). In consultation with the communities concerned, the Group constantly seeks the most appropriate local mobility solutions to meet their local environmental, social and economic challenges.