Supporting clients in adopting best practices in sustainable
development is one of BNP Paribas’ objectives. With the gradual reopening of
tourism in the aftermath of Covid-19, the spotlight is on corporate social
responsibility (CSR) in the sector more than ever: how can tourism be more
responsible? Come backstage to see how Puy du Fou has stayed true to its
commitment to preserve our natural and cultural heritage.Puy du Fou’s challenge
With visitor numbers topping two million a
year, like other major tourist attractions, Puy du Fou faces a big challenge to
be sustainable. Nestled in the heart of a forest, on arrival at France’s second
largest theme park visitors walk through immersive live shows and vintage
villages representing six important periods in French history: Antiquity, the
Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Grand
Siècle, the 18th Century and the Belle Époque. The park has nonetheless
obtained the Green Globe certification – an assessment of sustainability
performance of tourism businesses – every year since 2012. The assessment is
based on more than 400 criteria focused on safety, security, and
sustainability.
Puy du Fou’s starting point is corporate
social responsibility (CSR). To guarantee a fair balance between artistic creation,
economic investment, social responsibility and the preservation of the
environment, the park has put in place a robust CSR governance framework.
The park’s sustainable development policy
focuses on four pillars: culture, environment, talents and local community. Decarbonisation
measures, for example, have been put in place. These include the use of
electric trains equipped with roof solar panels to carry visitors around the
park, employees moving around on bikes and electric golf carts, charging
stations for visitors’ electric cars, and a shuttle service to and from Angers
train station.
To guarantee a fair balance between artistic creation, economic investment, social responsibility and the preservation of the environment, the park has put in place a robust CSR governance framework.
Resource and waste management is far-reaching:
an on-site sorting centre separates 21 categories of waste, with eco-friendly
sorting bins provided throughout the park, green waste composters on-site and
recyclable uniforms. Water and electricity usage is digitally monitored to
regulate the flows of water, temperatures and lighting times. Rainwater is
retrieved from buildings and directed to a closed circuit of ponds, in which
purifying plants regulate the amount of nitrate in the water. Puy du Fou is
also involved in local economic development, with the implementation of a
responsible procurement policy and using local supply chain.
Finally, biodiversity is important for Puy
du Fou. Its conservation activities include the welfare of vultures in the
park and more generally in the region, while supporting several wildlife
conservation foundations throughout the world. In the park, Puy du Fou only
uses local flora and has a zero-chemical policy, with hand weeding and ladybirds
to fight against aphids. The park also created an organic market garden area
to supply one of its restaurants.