Tenant Spotlight – Collaborating for a Better Tomorrow

In this inaugural issue of the GPP newsletter, we are excited to present our conversation with Julien Bernard, Chief Operating Officer of Amundi Greater China. He shares insights into how Amundi's move to Two Taikoo Place has enhanced its sustainability efforts in the workplace, supported by Swire Properties and the GPP.

What motivated Amundi to join the GPP, and how has the GPP helped your sustainability initiatives?

Julien:

Amundi has embraced societal responsibility since its inception. Today, our "ESG Ambition 2025" plan seeks to accelerate our ESG transformation and pave the way towards carbon neutrality by 2050. This plan aims to fully integrate ESG criteria into all our actively managed open funds. Our strategy promotes investments that support a fair environmental transition and involves engaging with companies, especially where we are the main shareholder, about their ESG strategies. We also hold ourselves to the same high standards, by embedding ESG criteria into our remuneration policy, committing to cutting operational emissions by 30% per employee, and engaging shareholders through the "Say-on-Climate" initiative. 

When planning our office move, Amundi sought a building distinguished by superior sustainability attributes and the highest green building certification ratings. We aspire to connect with like-minded partners, like Swire Properties, who share a strong commitment to sustainability. Joining the GPP was a strategic move that aligns with our values. As a vital hub, the GPP allows us to exchange best practices, enhance transparency, and access data and insights on new sustainability initiatives—all supporting us in our ambition to maintain our ESG leadership in the industry. 

In what ways have the company’s sustainability commitments been integrated into your new office design at Two Taikoo Place? Now that the office has been operating for over a year, what do you see as the benefits of having a sustainable office design?

Julien:

Our new office at Two Taikoo Place was designed with sustainability at its core. Understanding that an office’s environmental impact is largely influenced by design, we have achieved LEED Gold certification for interior design and the highest Three-seed Rating in the GPP Sustainable Fit-out Programme. As a result of moving to our new office, our electricity use intensity (EUI) has decreased.

In addition to design elements, we have made significant efforts to boost employee engagement in sustainability-related efforts. We encourage waste reduction and recycling through education and removal of individual desk bins. In addition, we decrease reliance on single-use bottled water through the installation of a water filtration system. Our layout includes a spacious pantry with a green wall and privacy-friendly phone booths, along with enhancements like adjustable tables, wireless noise-cancellation headsets and IAQ sensors that emphasise wellbeing. 

By standing for what Amundi values, the new office shows both internal and external stakeholders that we are here for the long term. In the end, the result is positive for the business, our people and the environment.

What are your upcoming priorities in terms of making your office even more sustainable? 

Julien:

Our net-zero commitment involves continuous improvement and the pursuit of innovative solutions. We aim for higher sustainability certifications and are considering new strategies, such as evaluating the environmental impact of equipment and goods before purchasing. 

The GPP is pivotal in this journey, as it offers a platform for learning from peers and sharing important knowledge within Amundi. By participating actively in the GPP, we encourage our staff to take ownership of our sustainability initiatives.

Looking forward, what are your key expectations of the GPP?

Julien:

While some companies are still sceptical about sharing data, the reality is that everyone, whether you are a law firm or financial services provider, must address the impacts of offices to manage their footprint. As such, we hope to leverage the collaborative infrastructure that the GPP provides. From our perspective, the GPP is an excellent conduit to spread knowledge about tested solutions and amplify our impact as a community. Its popularity over the last three years stems from a growing understanding that, together, we can achieve more through mutual learning and transparency. This collaborative approach with Swire Properties and our fellow tenants is crucial as we transition from competitive business norms to forging a path for a collective, sustainable future.

The GPP is our flagship programme towards achieving our SD 2030 Strategy and longstanding commitment to fighting climate change, in joint efforts with our office tenants in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Learn more about the programme on the GPP Website.