Air Liquide Publishes Its First Sustainable Development Report and Takes Stock of Its 2021 Action

Rhea-AI Summary

Air Liquide has launched its first Sustainability Report, detailing its ESG commitments and extra-financial results. This report highlights significant achievements in reducing carbon intensity by 24% since 2015, with a goal of 30% reduction by 2025. The company is also focused on enhancing healthcare access, having improved oxygen accessibility for over 1 million people. Furthermore, Air Liquide is making strides in gender equity, achieving 31% female representation among its management. The report illustrates the Group's ongoing integration of sustainability in its growth strategy.

Positive

• Reduced carbon intensity by 24% since 2015, targeting 30% reduction by 2025.
• Improved access to medical oxygen for over 1 million people.
• Increased percentage of women in management to 31%, aiming for 35% by 2025.

Negative

• None.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI) releases the inaugural publication of its Sustainability Report which presents the Group’s sustainability ambitions and extra-financial results. It showcases its achievements in contributing to a low-carbon society, improving the quality of life in healthcare and engaging with employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders to nurture a safe, inclusive and collaborative environment.

As the first Air Liquide publication dedicated exclusively to the Group’s sustainability ambitions, the Sustainability Report outlines the commitments announced on March 23, 2021 (ACT - Abatement, Care, Trust) and illustrates proof of its actions to create positive and sustainable impacts for climate, health and people. It also regroups key ESG indicators, in the report as well as in an easy-access downloadable data format.

Air Liquide has long been integrating sustainability in its strategy through its contributions to Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) actions and commitments across its organization. Unveiled on March 22, 2022, the Group’s new strategic plan for 2025, ADVANCE, further integrates sustainability into its strategy by combining financial and extra-financial performance, positioning Air Liquide to continue its growth trajectory while contributing to a sustainable future.

The report provides an update of Air Liquide’s progress on its ESG objectives in 2021.

• The Group reduced its carbon intensity by 24% versus 2015, and is on track to achieve its objective of 30% reduction by 2025 with various decarbonization initiatives across the organization. Despite the strong growth in activity, the Group’s absolute CO₂ emissions increased less than 1% on a comparable basis versus past year. This is fully in line with the objective to start decreasing its absolute emissions by 2025, and achieve a 33% reduction by 2035¹ (vs. 2020) on the trajectory to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
• As a major global player in healthcare, the Group continued in its pivotal role in improving the quality of life of chronic patients at home in mature economies and by facilitating access to medical oxygen for rural communities in low and middle income countries, with more than 1 million people having benefited from easier access to oxygen at the end of 2021.
• Through the Group’s efforts as a trusted partner, it increased the percentage of women among its managers and professionals, achieving 31% in 2021 (vs. 21% in 2012). It is well on the way to reach its target of 35% by 2025. In addition, the Group launched new initiatives to bring a common basis of care coverage to 100% of its employees by 2025.

Fabienne Lecorvaisier, Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Committee, in charge of Sustainable Development, Public and International Affairs as well as the supervision of Societal Programs and General Secretariat, said: “Through the publication of the Sustainability Report, the Group enhances its transparency to the market on the progress achieved towards our stated sustainability ambitions announced on March 23, 2021. Sustainability is firmly embedded in the Group's strategy as a concrete commitment and an enabler linking growth and sustainable development, to build a better future for us all. We know where we are today and where we want to go, and this clear understanding distinguishes Air Liquide as a leader in sustainability.”

¹Scope 1 and 2 CO ₂ emissions

A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 75 countries with approximately 66,400 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.

Air Liquide’s ambition is to be a leader in its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability - with a strong commitment to climate change and energy transition at the heart of its strategy. The company’s customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable, regular and responsible growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.

Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to more than 23 billion euros in 2021. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.

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Source: Air Liquide

FAQ

What are the key achievements mentioned in Air Liquide's 2021 Sustainability Report?

Air Liquide's 2021 Sustainability Report highlights a 24% reduction in carbon intensity since 2015, improved access to medical oxygen for over 1 million people, and an increase in female representation among management to 31%.

What is the carbon emissions goal set by Air Liquide for 2025?

Air Liquide aims for a 30% reduction in carbon intensity by 2025 as part of its sustainability objectives.

How does Air Liquide contribute to healthcare according to the Sustainability Report?

Air Liquide has facilitated access to medical oxygen for over 1 million individuals, significantly improving healthcare quality for chronic patients.

When was Air Liquide's Sustainability Report published?

Air Liquide's Sustainability Report was published on April 6, 2022.

What is the significance of the new strategic plan ADVANCE unveiled by Air Liquide?

The ADVANCE strategic plan integrates sustainability into Air Liquide's operations, combining financial and extra-financial performance to ensure long-term growth.