Today, 8 December, is World Climate Day. At ACC, this day has particular resonance because, created to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, ACC is more than just a company: we are committed players in the ecological transition. Our approach? To transform environmental awareness into concrete action. Here is a summary of some of the actions taken in 2024 in relation to one of our biggest CSR challenges, climate change. 

 

Awareness-raising and training: our internal strategy

Knowledge is the first lever for change. That's why, from the moment they join the Group, all new ACC employees follow CSR modules dedicated to the climate. The aim of these training courses is to give each new recruit an understanding of the global issues at stake and the ideas they need to make their own contribution on a day-to-day basis, whether in their professional or private lives. 
 

The Climate Fresks: a key educational tool

Since 2022, we have been running in-house Climate Fresks, a fun and powerful workshop that explores the mechanisms of climate change and provides the knowledge needed to take effective action and contribute to the energy transition.

Our team of 9 in-house facilitators - true ambassadors for the environmental cause organises sessions on request at all our sites.
In 2024, 11 fresks were organised (4 carried out in team-building mode at the request of ACC's teams, 3 fresks organised in Bruges and 4 organised in Nersac, Kaiserslautern, Billy-Berclau Douvrin and Paris). In all, more than 150 employees have been made aware of climate issues during these workshops over the last two years. 

 

Measuring for better action: Calculating our individual carbon footprint  

Once the challenges of climate change are well understood, it is essential to take action. A good starting point is to calculate one's personal carbon footprint, which helps to identify areas where a significant impact can be made.

There are a number of options available, not just for our employees, but for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the issues and levers for action:
Online tools to do independently such as ‘Nos Gestes Climat’ from Ademe, available in French, English and Spanish or ‘Footprint Calculator’, accessible in seven languages, including German and Italian.
These tools provide an overview of the carbon footprint in just a few minutes, along with priority courses of action.

Participation in interactive workshops such as MyCO₂, offered online in French and English, of which we have offered 2 sessions again in 2024, the Atelier 2 tonnes, available face-to-face or remotely in several languages, or Inventons nos vies bas carbone, only available face-to-face and available in French and English.
Good to know: Inventons nos vies bas carbone offers a version suitable for children aged 9 and over, so the whole family can get involved! 
 

A structured approach to assessing and reducing ACC's carbon footprint

We take our own carbon footprint seriously and have set up a dedicated internal organisation to measure and reduce it.

To develop its carbon strategy, ACC has used a global approach aligned with global guidelines and scientific knowledge. The main objective of this approach is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Our strategy is structured around three fundamental pillars:

• Counting emissions
• Reducing our emissions as far as possible
• Reporting and communicating

In line with ACC's CSR strategy, the main levers identified have been listed according to the two main stages in the life of the project:

• Design. The decisions taken during the design phase are those that have the greatest influence on the company's GHG emissions and the product's carbon footprint.
• Manufacturing. Operational control and optimisation actions remain essential to guarantee the lowest possible carbon footprint.

Elodie Malka and Etienne Feutren steer these efforts within ACC, supported by a carbon committee that meets monthly to assess progress and validate identified action levers and dedicated resources. They work on a daily basis with the customer project teams to refine the carbon footprint estimates for our products in production life and to identify new avenues for reduction. 

Modelling has enabled us to identify our main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Indirect emissions from our suppliers account for over 80% of the carbon footprint of our products. Given this finding, we are working closely with our Responsible Purchasing team to reduce the environmental impact of the raw materials we use.

2025 will be a pivotal year for the company, as we move from estimating to measuring our emissions. ACC has committed to publishing its first full carbon footprint in 2025, covering scopes 1, 2 and 3 and including a full year of production at its Billy-Berclau Douvrin (BBD) Gigafactory.

 

Beyond the figures: a philosophy

Our commitment goes beyond simple calculations. We believe that every gesture counts, that every collaboration can contribute to reducing our carbon footprint.

On this World Climate Day, we are sending out a message of hope and responsibility. Change begins with understanding, is built through action and perpetuated through collective commitment. Together, we can do so much!

Find out more about our approach and action levers to reduce ACC's carbon footprint in the CSR Report 2023.