Paris La Défense's strategic course
At the end of 2021, Paris La Défense charted a ambitious strategic course for the area, to make Paris La Défense the first post-carbon global business district.
The world has undergone a sea change since La Défense was founded. Two changes particularly stand out.
First of all, shifts in how and where we work, as well as current environmental and climate issues, compel us to find new ways of living and shaping the urban landscape.
Secondly, the area’s emissions are equivalent to those of a regional capital; this carbon footprint must be reduced.
Paris La Défense is embarking on a path consistent with these new social, civic and environmental requirements. Through its “raison d’être*,” the public body seeks to embody a carbon-free future for the district, and has committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
A new step in Paris La Défense’s strategic course
After having achieved the goals it set for itself for the three years prior, the public entity further developed them to unveil a new plan of action.
Paris La Défense is now focusing its efforts along 4 main axes:
Manage, utilize, and build better
- rethink public spaces ecologically (see the Michelet project, Le Parc project, Les Groues project, Le Croissant project and the Bords de Seine project);
- recycle primary and secondary materials (see the Re-use Booster; see the Biosourced Wood Pact);
- champion biodiversity (see the Nature in the city approach);
- conserve and restore nature and the water cycle;
- enumerate sustainability performance metrics for public and construction projects.
Living together in a sustainable and inclusive district
- manage public spaces that cater to lowimpact, active mobility (see the Paris La Défense Bike plan);
- center inclusion and professional integration for all (see the partnership with the Public Interest Group ActivitY’);
- promote responsible eventplanning and marketing (see the district main events, see the ecodesign approach of the Paris La Défense website).
Adapt the district to a changing climate
- map the climate risks, the vulnerable sites, and relevant actors;
- plan out shelter spaces, existing response systems, and vulnerable and at-risk populations;
- formulate an adaptation plan;
- organize a General Assembly on Adaptation.
Engage key stakeholders
- favor collective initiatives that aim to promote general-interest projects in the district (see the Post-carbon
commitment charter, see the PLD+B program, see the Cube competition); - organize and deploy committed communities (see the Paris La Défense clubs).
Let's switch to a post-carbon world
For a complete overview of Paris La Défense: its architectural heritage, its mobility hub and green spaces, its business and higher education center, the components that make it a true living district, its strategic course and projects, and its public establishment.
2021-2024 action plan
Better development and building
Building a post-carbon business district demands that we reexamine our approachto development, construction, ans renovation, in concert with all the players involved in tranforming the region.
Living better together
The post-carbon business district must also be a place where people live better together, in terms of land use, diversity, mobility and quality of life.
Take up the post-carbon shift
Paris La Défense must set an example, fostering a collective dynamic in support of this post-carbon shift.
Involve stakeholders
Calling on all players within Paris La Défense to take action on these environmental issues is an essential step to guarantee this initiative's lasting sucess.
What's a Raison d'être?
* The PACTE law directs all business to “take into consideration the social and environmental stakes of its activities” and prompts the most proactive ones to reflect on their raison d’être, to understand the “why” of their existence, and to inscribe their contribution to society into their statutes, linking social and environmental goals to governance. While not subject to this law, Paris La Défense chose to go above and beyond its general-interest mission.