Acting for the planet
Towards a low-carbon societyTowards a low-carbon society
David Meneses
Air Liquide Vice President Sustainability
A year on from the announcement of its Climate objectives, we discuss with David Meneses, the Group’s Vice President Sustainability, regarding Air Liquide’s driving role in the transition towards a low-carbon society.
To address the issue of climate change, what role does Air Liquide want to play?
David Meneses: Air Liquide aims to actively contribute to a more sustainable world through its innovative solutions. Our 2025 Climate objectives, announced at the end of 2018, have helped us take an important step towards encouraging the transition to a low-carbon society. To do so, we have adopted a global approach by taking actions within our activities, with our customers and all our ecosystems. We are enthusiastic as we can rely on strong support from within the Group and, just one year down the line, tangible progress can already be seen(a).
Are these objectives compatible with Air Liquide’s growth strategy?
D. M.: At Air Liquide, combining growth and responsibility has been our philosophy for a long time. It is true that the innovative solutions which we are developing serve the planet, but they are also sources of opportunities. Regulations, the increasingly high expectations of consumers, as well as the growing commitments of companies, are encouraging our customers to adopt a low-carbon approach and we are well-positioned to support them in doing so. New markets are also appearing, such as biomethane and hydrogen energy, in which we are heavily involved. These markets represent an increasing share of our revenue: biomethane grew strongly in 2019, a business which did not even exist five years earlier! “Clean” energy growth prospects are significant.
In addition to the climate, does Air Liquide make commitments in other areas?
D. M.: Yes, of course! Take, for example, our employees. Their safety is our absolute priority with a “zero accident” ambition which requires the involvement of everyone within the Company and its subcontractors. Ethics and the respect of Human Rights are of course vital in the running of our business, as well as encouraging the diversity of employee profiles, which is a true source of performance. For example, one of our objectives is to reach a rate of 35% of women among our employees in “managers and professionals” by 2025.
A List
Air Liquide has been named on the CDP’s(b) “A List” for its positive climate action and for its sustainable water management. Air Liquide thus enters the narrow circle of companies that have obtained a double “A”.
Non-financial performance at the heart of a new financing mechanism
Air Liquide has signed an amendment to its syndicated credit line. From now on, its financing cost and commissions are linked with the achievement of three CSR(c) criteria regarding its carbon intensity, gender diversity and safety.
(a) See page 25.
(b) Non-profit organization that evaluates companies on their environmental action.
(c) Corporate Social Responsibility.