CSR plays an essential role in the One Econocom strategic plan. An integral part of the Group’s strategy, CSR guides its actions in terms of environmental, social and economic impact. Véronique di Benedetto, Vice-President France in charge of CSR and Impact, gives us an overview of the Group’s flagship initiatives.
E-S : Véronique, European Sustainable Development Week from 18 September to 8 October is an important showcase for promoting the group’s CSR commitments and the opportunity for a progress report. How is the Econocom Group doing in that area?
Véronique di Benedetto : We’ve achieved several significant milestones this year. First, in early 2024 we launched our new Impact site, which explains our vision, our actions and presents opinions, insights, both internal and external. The site is bursting with information that helps you better understand Econocom’s positioning on those subjects.
Then, back in late 2023, we stepped up our commitment by signing the SBTi commitment letter. That meant that our near-term science-based emissions reduction targets were approved in 2024, in line with the Paris Agreement and the goal to limit global warming to less than 1.5°C. Our concrete aims include: cutting our GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 61.4% by 2028, increasing our renewable electricity supply to 92% and working to have 100% of our suppliers adopt SBTi targets in the same timeframe.
This year, we’ve also been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal, with four additional points compared to last year, reflecting the positive impact of our initiatives. Our ambition doesn’t stop there: we’re now aiming for the Platinum Medal by 2028, a recognition for only the most exemplary companies.
To get our teams behind those challenges, we’re relaunching CSR training for our untrained staff in France and the entire workforce worldwide. That’s an integral part of our approach: raising everyone’s awareness to boost our impact.
Finally, we will be at the Produrable Expo, an unmissable event for CSR stakeholders. We’re going to chair a workshop, a great opportunity to discuss our practices and inspire other businesses to follow that path.
E-S : You took part in the Produrable trade fair last October. Can you tell us more about it?
Véronique di Benedetto : We’re delighted to be involved in the Produrable Expo again this year and we’re organizing a workshop specifically aimed at Information System (IS) Directors. The objective is to share the results of a survey by PAC (Pierre Audoin Consultants) into decisionmakers’ vision of sustainable development, especially in IT, and present our concrete solutions to facilitate companies’ digital and ecological transition. Through our EASI offering (Econocom As A Service for Impact), we provide a 360° response that covers support on information systems’ longevity, reduced carbon footprint, efficiency and optimization.
I’ve already detailed that commitment in a column published recently. IS Directors are now major players in the digital and environmental transition. They have a key role to play in moving companies’ technological choices in a more responsible and sustainable direction. And our ambition and objective is to support them.
*Editor’s note: You can find out more by reading the column published on Le Journal du Net: Information System (IS) Directors, essential catalysts of the ecological and digital transition.
E-S : Econocom has several impactful offerings to help its clients cut their social and environmental footprint. Can you tell us more about those solutions?
Véronique di Benedetto : That’s right, at Econocom we strive not only to reduce our own footprint, but also to help our clients cut theirs. Our high-impact offerings are designed to promote more responsible and sustainable uses. For example, EcoCarbon measures the impact of IT equipment, which helps our clients make informed decisions. We also have initiatives like Green & Energy, which supports our clients along their energy transition, and Product Care, an agile maintenance offering that extends the equipment lifespan. Finally, Eco Factory works to refurbish and remarket digital devices, contributing to the circular economy. These solutions are wholly consistent with our ambition to generate a positive and sustainable impact for our entire ecosystem!
