How would you summarize FORVIA’s vision for the environment? 

Climate change and environmental protection pose an urgent threat to society. At FORVIA, we firmly believe that we have a role to play and can make a difference. Caring for our planet is also a key expectation from our clients and end-users. 

I would summarize our approach as “holistic”: from reducing carbon emissions to minimizing environmental impact; from strategy and sustainable innovations to people and operations. 

A clear proof is that sustainability is embedded in everything we do, including within the FORVIA Excellence System – the Group’s foundation to deliver best-in-class industrial performance.

Improving our overall climate and environmental performance starts with the methodical execution of our 2045 Net Zero roadmap. The nearest intermediate milestone is CO₂ neutrality on scopes 1 and 2 by 2025 – i.e., emissions from our operations –, a goal that materializes at each plant.

Here, we team up with top partners in their respective areas to make sure we go fast and get results.

As over 90% of our scope 1 & 2 emissions come from energy consumption on our sites, we’re accelerating our efforts to “use less” and to “use better” – to improve our energy efficiency and increase our use of renewables through onsite and offsite Power Purchase Agreements. And we’re already seeing results: in 2023, we were ahead of schedule by one year on scopes 1 and 2.

FORVIA’s next “frontier” is to reduce scope 3 emissions by 45% by 2030. What actions are we taking? 

This is a significant challenge as scope 3 emissions account for 98% of our total emissions. We have six years, equivalent to two to three generations of vehicles, to transform powertrains, architectures, and materials... and to significantly change the way we work! 

Product-wise, FORVIA engineers are working on more modular and upgradable architectures, using lighter and fewer components. The teams are also developing a range of innovative low-carbon materials via MATERI’ACT, created in 2022. As a result, we already have a range of “Designed for Scope 3” products that are cutting-edge in terms of technology and sustainable development.

Another crucial action involves engaging our supply chain, as purchased goods, services, and transportation account for more than one-third of our scope 3 emissions. Starting with 2025 programs, all our 25 suppliers must submit their CO₂ roadmaps and include sustainable and recycled materials into their RFQs. By 2030, we expect them to reduce their CO₂ emissions by 45%. 

At FORVIA, our environmental approach is holistic, and CO₂ is just a part of the story. We aim for zero waste, zero pollution for air, water, and soil, and minimal impact on biodiversity. In each area, we have set clear targets to monitor our progress.

Beyond CO₂, can you tell us about FORVIA’s actions to preserve the environment?

We have set clear targets to monitor our progress when it comes to reducing our environmental footprint, including a 30% reduction in water intensity and an 85% waste recycling rate by 2030. Teams around the world are adopting the "I know, I care, I reduce" approach and driving concrete initiatives to achieve our targets, starting with the implementation of FORVIA’s 10 Green Fundamentals.

All environmental dimensions (CO₂ and beyond) are reflected in the Group’s Green Factory White Book – an important document outlining the best environmental practices and constraints to be applied when developing new facilities – approximately 15 to 20 annually.

With 24 of our sites located within 3km of protected areas, FORVIA also has a role to play in preserving biodiversity. We have initiated biodiversity audits to define local action plans. 

To improve, we don’t act alone. For example, we have committed to the international Act4Nature initiative led by the Enterprises for the Environment association (EpE), promoting practical business actions that benefit nature based on ten standard commitments and individual pledges. Our commitment extends beyond our business activities: through the partnership between the FORVIA Foundation and the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, we have launched trophies to support student researchers involved in the research and development of solutions to preserve marine biodiversity.

We’ve discussed extensively about decarbonization and preservation... but what about adaptation? 

Indeed, we are also focusing on climate change adaptation measures for our sites. In partnership with AXA Climate, we’ve assessed what could be the exposure of FORVIA’s industrial footprint in 2030 and 2050 to natural events, basing our analysis on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios. FORVIA also launched a second study, in partnership with Carbone4, to assess the resilience to climate change of our industrial processes. 

Whether we’re discussing decarbonization, preservation, or adaptation, we take our commitments seriously, just as all our stakeholders do.

Another area where we have to adapt is around global regulations. The Sustainability team is currently dedicating significant effort to align our reporting with the new CSRD regulations—the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. This European regulation has been in effect since January 1st, 2024. It outlines how companies should report on extra-financial aspects and will necessitate precise disclosure of results. Starting in 2025, FORVIA will incorporate CSRD requirements into reporting our 2024 activities. Looking ahead, our extra-financial reporting will adhere to European Sustainability Reporting Standards criteria, covering various sub-themes and data points. 

Climate change is an existential challenge for all, and we must act urgently. All FORVIANs are decisive players and can contribute to our sustainability goals. 

We are proud of what we have achieved but we are still at the beginning of our journey. Together, we can drive positive change.