Decarbonization in motion
« Climate change is the defining issue of our time - and we are at a defining moment. »António Guterres
Secretary-General of the United Nations
Our starting point
These targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This certification attests that the company’s commitments are in line with current scientific data on climate and with the Paris Agreements. In line with Bouygues Construction’s objectives, VSL is strongly motivated and committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Here are our objectives in detail!
-40%
(in absolute value)
On Scopes 1 & 2
which includes our direct and indirect emissions from energy consumption
-20%
(in absolute value)
On Scope 3 upstream
which includes upstream indirect emissions from supply chain to product distribution and installation
On Scope 3 downstream
which includes downstream indirect emissions such as infrastructure operation.
We have laid out a strategy to achieve our goal. Here is the plan!
Chapter 1
Reducing our own carbon footprint
# Scopes 1, 2 and 3 upstream
Every year since 2019, VSL has calculated its carbon footprint on the basis of scopes 1, 2 and 3 upstream, and has refined its scorecar at the end of 2020 with more complete and accurate data. Below are our findings:
Limiting our indirect emissions up stream
The main finding of our 2021 carbon footprint calculation is that 95% of our emissions come from Scope 3a, meaning indirect emissions upstream. These emissions are mainly linked to strand and bar purchases. We have started to concentrate our efforts on this burning issue!
Our plan
- Evaluate the carbon footprint of our products (Environmental Product Declaration). Depending on the EPDs, VSL will adjust its strategy for the technologies and supply chain.
- Our purchasing department assesses the global warming potential of our main suppliers’ steel strands, using EPDs. To support transparency, VSL offers its Strand Climate Score—an open-source tool that rates and compares the carbon impact of steel strands—free to the entire industry.
- View Climate Score.
Acting at the local level
Based on the local Carbon Footprint assessment, every VSL location, in 25 countries,
has defined their own local strategy to reduce their carbon footprint and take action. Below is a glance into
the good practices that our agencies have implemented!
VSL Modular Access Tower - our innovative approach to construction equipment design
Open the video VSL Spain: 320 solar panels to supply the factory with energy
Read more Reducing VSL carbon footprint: The Climate Challenge garners remarkable success among employees
Read more VSL Australia: switching to a green energy to reduce consumption
Read more Chapter 2
Reducing the carbon footprint of the structures we build or repair
Know better, act better
Not only are we taking action to reduce our carbon footprint, but we also think that it is fully part of our role
to imagine and propose solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the structures we build or repair. There are also solutions that we have proposed for a long time – some being specific to VSL, others being more widely sold on the market, but so far, they have never been studied under the angle of carbon impact. So, our experts have rolled up their sleeves and have compared various solutions to identify the most efficient ones.
CLIMATE SCORE FOR STEEL STRANDS: VSL LEADS THE WAY IN LOW-CARBON CONSTRUCTION
Open the video A WORLD FIRST: POST-TENSIONING MEETS TIMBER
Open the video VSoL®: a Low-Carbon Solution for earth retaining walls
Open the video Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil: a reduction of nearly 98% of CO2 emissions on the HS2 project, UK
Read more Low-carbon grout developed by VSL International
Open the video LOW CARBON: UNVEILING TWO NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS
Read more VSL Post-tensioning: a first step to carbon reduction with Environmental Product Declarations
Open the video Pioneering Sustainable Construction with Recycled Precast Prestressed Slabs
Open the video The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Greenlights Bouygues Construction’s 2021-2030 Carbon Reduction Targets
Read more PT Slabs: taking action towards reducing our carbon footprint
Open the video The durability of post-tensioned tendons: the key to sustainable concrete bridges
Open the video EMBRACING DATA SCIENCES TO BETTER PRESERVE AND REPAIR STRUCTURES
Read more REACHING NET ZERO CARBON WITH GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Read more HOW TO PROVIDE RELIABILITY AND DURABILITY TO WIND STRUCTURES?
Read more MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION FROM THE GET-GO
Design and Build schemes allow us not only to identify and select the lowest-emission materials suitable for a construction project, but also to optimise the structure itself for maximum material efficiency—what we call ‘material sobriety’. This dual approach helps us significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint. Below are examples of projects where we successfully implemented these material optimisations.
Asia 18 projets
Sentosa Express Monorail Track – Bearing Replacement
2024
See the project
Rehabilitating the structural health monitoring system for Hong Kong Link Road Viaducts
2024
See the project
Modernising GPS Monitoring Systems of Long-Span Cable-Supported Bridges
2024
See the project
HON CHONG SILO
2023
See the project
KERRY SIAM SEAPORT JETTY
2023
See the project
NORTHERN LINK CONTRACT NO 1634
2022-2023
See the project
CHENNAI METRO
2021-2023
See the project
Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway
2021
See the project
China Resources Shandong Jauncheng Wind Farm
2020-2021
See the project
Satok Suspension Bridge
2020-2021
See the project
MRT PINK AND YELLOW LINES
2019-2022
See the project
MAJU EXPRESSWAY (MEX) NETWORK
2018 -2019
See the project
HENAN WIND TOWERS
2018 – 2019
See the project
Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Line 2
2017-2020
See the project
Watabak Wind Farm
2016
See the project
Huay Bong Wind Farm
2015-2019
See the project
Hong Kong Link Road, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao
2012-2018
See the project
KLANG VALLEY MASS RAPID TRANSIT LINE 1
2011 - 2016
See the project
Europe 34 projets
Upgrade of the Geissloch Viaduct on the Solothurn-Moutier railway line
2024
See the project
Emergency Repair of Requejo Viaduct as the main contractor
2024
See the project
Replacing extradosed tendons of iconic Osormort Viaduct
2024
See the project
Strengthening Zêzere Bridge using innovative reinforcement techniques
2024
See the project
Comprehensive repairs and strengthening of Viaduct EN308
2024
See the project
Comprehensive Repair of the Karolin Pipe Bridge in Poland
2024
See the project
SUGN-Y-PWLL WATER TANKS
2023
See the project
M4 PILNING INTERCHANGE
2023
See the project
KIRCHENFELD BRIDGE
2023
See the project
VALDEMORENO BRIDGE
2023
See the project
THIRD MILLENNIUM JOHN PAUL II BRIDGE
2023
See the project
Wessex Water Tanks
2022-2023
See the project
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT VANDELLÓS II
2022
See the project
Uddevalla Bridge
2022
See the project
TAMPEN HYWIND OFFSHORE WIND FARM
2022
See the project
CHEB FOOTBRIDGE
2021-2023
See the project
BRIDGE OVER THE DRANSE RIVER
2021-2023
See the project
Queensferry Crossing
2021-2022
See the project
GECAMA ONSHORE WIND FARM
2021-2022
See the project
SWAFFHAM PRIOR HEAT NETWORK
2021-2022
See the project
Pestriz Wind Farm
2021-2022
See the project
A3 motorway viaduct in Braga
2021-2022
See the project
Bellmund Carpark Reinforcement
2020-2021
See the project
Chiltern tunnels for High Speed 2
2020-2022
See the project
A52 Clifton Bridge stage II
2020-2021
See the project
Exminster viaduct
2020-2021
See the project
Casal Ribeiro Office Building
2020-2021
See the project
A39 River Camel viaduct
2020
See the project
A52 Clifton Bridge
2020-2021
See the project
HS2 – Chiltern Tunnels and Colne Valley Viaduct
2019-2020
See the project
SILVER JUBILEE BRIDGE
2018 - 2019
See the project
SANTA MARÍA DE GUÍA-EL PAGADOR ROUTE
2018 – 2020
See the project
AGUDIM VIADUCT
2018 - 2019
See the project
DELTA CAFÉS WAREHOUSE REINFORCEMENT
2006 - 2026
See the project
Middle-East 5 projets
Enhancing structural resilience: VSL’s innovative solutions for the expansion of Al Jimi Mall in Al Ain
2024
See the project
ABU DHABI NEW FREE PORT
2023
See the project
ETIHAD RAIL NETWORK
2023-2023
See the project
Markhaniya Roundabout Intersection
2021
See the project
Cycle Pass Bridge
2020-2021
See the project
North America 3 projets
Oceania 8 projets
Repair of West Gate Bridge Pier 13
2024
See the project
KANGAROO VALLEY PIPELINE
2023
See the project
KILMANY RAIL BRIDGE
2022-2023
See the project
Western Roads Upgrade – Project 7
2020
See the project
West Gate Tunnel surroundings
2019-2021
See the project
PINEY CREEK BRIDGE
2019
See the project
Melbourne Metro Tunnel
2018-2020
See the project
PIKES CREEK BRIDGE
2018
See the project
Chapter 3
Expanding our low-carbon economy portfolio
Reducing one’s carbon footprint doesn’t just stop after the project is complete. Our aspiration is that the structures we build and repair continue to contribute to a low-carbon way of living.
This is why we have set up the aim to generate 50% of our business in sectors in the low-carbon economy by 2027, namely:
- The low-carbon transport infrastructure, which includes rail or other electric transport systems, as well as soft transport modes.
- The construction of assets facilitating the generation, storage or transmission of net-carbon-zero energy, mainly nuclear and wind energies.
- The repair and preservation of structures, that generate less carbon than a new built.
Below are our most recent projects related to the low-carbon economy:
50%
of our business in sectors in the low-carbon economy by 2027
Learn more about our climate commitment
Discover how VSL measures, monitors, and transparently shares its environmental impact. These initiatives demonstrate our ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable future.