At a time when the notion of sustainable development and CSR has definitively taken up residence in the logistics sector, permeating the strategic plans of companies and their long-term vision, the energy quality of buildings takes on all its importance. Lighting regulation, choice of construction materials, well-being of site occupants, energy consumption of the logistics platform, water management, integration of the building into its environment, respect for biodiversity, waste recovery … Initiatives in favor of greening warehouses are legion and validated by various certifications: NF HQE, Breeam, Leed… The main ones are based on their own evaluation system and are the guarantee of sustainable construction , in line with an objective of reducing the environmental footprint.
A major challenge for the sector
These certifications will integrate common themes around the same demanding criteria, which will increase according to the level of performance that companies wish to achieve: good, very good, excellent, exceptional... Authentications allow these companies to promote their real estate assets while attesting to their sustainable development policy and anticipating current regulations. This is not about “green washing” or a new trend that is immediately forgotten, but rather a concrete commitment to decarbonization. This issue of warehouse sustainability is one of the major subjects of the French family group Log's, specialized in the sale of logistics solutions, through its real estate site development company SIG. “ The logistics sector must participate in the greening of its buildings because it represents millions of square meters. It is therefore essential that we do our part to preserve the environment, judge Dominique Chastagnol, real estate director of Log's. We turned to Breeam certifications, which seem comprehensive to us. Today, we reached the Very Good level and we are aiming for Excellent on our next buildings “, she testifies.
A commitment that is all the more crucial with the entry into force of the Tertiary Decree in October 2019, concerning all existing buildings for tertiary use of more than 1,000 m². In application of article 175 of the Élan law, this decree imposes a reduction in energy consumption of buildings by -40 % in 2030, -50 % in 2040 and -60 % in 2050 compared to 2010 or to reach a threshold energy consumption defined for each type of building. If logistics platforms are not the only ones affected by this decree, they are directly impacted by this measure. “ We will respect this tertiary decree, that is absolutely certain, no doubt with the help of a consulting firm, comments Dominique Chastagnol. But we know that we are already making significant efforts on the subject. Efforts which are also financial because it must be clear, this requires investments, when for example it involves relamping 50,000 to 60,000 m² of warehouse ".
What means are implemented?
The actions implemented to achieve an energy-efficient building concern both construction and operation. And these steps prove all the more complex in the context of taking over a wasteland: “ For the renovation of a building from the 1960s, all diagnostics must be carried out and the site cleaned up. This is what we are doing in Béthune (62) at the Bridgestone factory which we hope to see become our showcase in terms of environmental policy », Indicates Dominique Chastagnol. The aim here is absolutely not to raze the building and rebuild a new one, which would be extremely consuming in terms of CO2, but to rehabilitate the site. “ Whether our buildings are certified or not, our basic rules concern in particular energy management, with almost all of our platforms switched to LED technology while our new buildings will be equipped with intelligent lighting that only switches on when it detects movement in areas of 200 to 300 m². This question of lighting may seem minimal, but it is in reality very important because it consumes a lot of energy. », she describes.
In addition to working on the management of heating, on water but also on the recovery of waste inside the building, Log's will also work, from the design of the platform, on its insulation and the type of materials used as well as 'to their degree of pollution: " For example, we are in the process of transforming the way we build our car parks, previously made with porous bitumen in order to let water flow. Today we consider it more relevant to set up a slab system. On a site of 20 or 30 hectares, this approach is of great importance because it prevents water from running off, becoming polluted and being rejected. ". The exterior of the building will also be a source of greening: “ We aim to install several tens of thousands of photovoltaic panels on our buildings, the roofs and facades represent hundreds of thousands of square meters available. », describes Dominique Chastagnol.
Building an ecosystem
Efforts that extend to the immediate surroundings of the warehouse, with attention paid to the surrounding ecosystem and the integration of the building into the environment. Log's, for example, has set up protected areas where certain species have been planted next to some of its logistics sites: in Wattrelos (59), five hectares have been freed up to create a nature reserve with wetlands around it. The attention paid to biodiversity, the planting of floral species or even the integration of meadows are part of this approach: “ When gulls take over a roof and birds of prey manage to nest next to the site, nature regulating itself, it's beautiful!” Eco-grazing areas have also been deployed on certain platforms of the logistics specialist: “ It may seem simple but it brings a lot of well-being to our employees, during their lunch break, when they go out and see the animals. ". Because more broadly, the well-being of employees is also part of the approaches put in place by companies as part of their CSR policy. “ Safety and quality of life at work are part of Breeam certification and when we work on a building, through our experience as an operator, we know what will make life on the sites easier. », states Dominique Chastagnol.
And to achieve this set of measures, collaboration with other stakeholders is essential. At Log's, building these ecosystems is done with the support of Dreal and the authorities: “ We also work with the water agency and, on certain sites, with local environmental preservation associations. », concludes Dominique Chastagnol.
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