And strengthens its commitment to environmental conservation.
The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC), published in August 2021, gave a situational analysis of the on-going climate crisis. Of the solutions proposed is afforestation, as forests are considered tremendous carbon sinks that absorb the greenhouse gases discharged into the atmosphere. However, deforestation has continued at a rate of 10 million hectares every year, fuelling global warming.
With this in mind, Poralu Marine – the world’s leading designer, manufacturer and manager of aluminium marinas – is investing in the Solution Econologic Program 2, an innovative international program for carbon offset that promotes afforestation. The program reinforces Poralu Marine’s position as a responsible player committed to protecting the environment and forms part of its low carbon strategy that aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The Econologic Program 2 is an innovative carbon contribution scheme combining ecology and economic performance
The project is an innovative program to help fight against global warming, based on the principle of afforestation, that combines economic performance and ecology. It enables any investor to make virtuous investments in tree planting in Brazil. Solution Econologic Program 2 has set itself several objectives with many economic, environmental and social benefits:
- Meet the growing demand from world markets for the supply of premium FSC® certified timber for trade
- Contribute to the conservation and natural regeneration of native forests as well as the protection of biotope and biodiversity
- Play a role in fixing atmospheric CO2 in the ground
- Replenish depleted soils
The program makes a difference by giving concrete help to create a sustainable economy for local inhabitants and by capturing carbon from the atmosphere.
Solution Econologic Program 2 was developed by Groupe SLB, which has capitalized on 30 years’ know- how in forest management. The group plants eucalyptus trees using “integrated farming” techniques on land that has been depleted by intensive farming. Approximately 60% of ground area is dedicated to planting and 40% to native forest conservation thereby fostering ecological corridors. This breakdown of forest redevelopment is twice as demanding as the allocation set out in Brazil’s own national standards. Under Groupe SLB’s innovative management methods, the planted forest’s productivity is such that the needs of construction and furniture markets are largely met. One hectare of planted eucalyptus represents six hectares of Amazonian forest saved.
The use of afforestation is recognised by numerous international labels such as:
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) which helps ensure sustainable forest management
Bureau Veritas, which certifies carbon fixing methods with the SLB label
Kinomé, which measures the social and environmental impact of actions and draws up progress reports and plans (recommendations, performance indicators).
The carbon storage calculation methodology certified by Bureau Veritas only takes into account timber used for lasting purposes for constructions and furniture.
What’s in it for the participants in the program?
For a company, taking part in Solution Econologic Program 2, means making a practical contribution to a positive impact environmental project.
What exactly is afforestation?
Afforestation is the principle of planting trees in order to repopulate an area that has long been deforested or that has never been forested. It differs from reforestation, which is carried out by men on an area they have themselves deforested.
Groupe Poralu Marine is committed to this sustainable project and has captured 1,710 tons of CO2.
The company is committed to and financially supports this innovative program, which has a positive impact on ecosystems and biodiversity in Brazil, measured by an independent third party, Kinomé.
“As an industrial company, Poralu Marine must take into account its environmental and societal impact. In recent years, we have begun a real shift towards developing eco-responsible solutions, most recently with the launch of The Searial Cleaners range. But we know that our responsibility does not end there. We are currently writing a new strategy by placing environmental and societal issues at the heart of our business activity”, explained Anaïs Giraud-Guigues, CSR & Corporate Communication Manager of the Poralu Marine Group.
Thanks to Poralu Marine’s investment in Solution Econologic Program 2, the carbon captured represents 10% of its greenhouse gas emissions. To date, through Poralu Marine’s participation, 3,870 trees have been planted in Brazil, contributing to capturing 1710 ton of CO2!
Low carbon strategy
Through its business activities on all continents, the company has been aware for many years of its direct footprint on the environment. As Poralu Marine strongly believes that the impact of its activities is a major variable to be integrated into its development, it is now building a business model that respects communities and nature. For the Poralu Marine Group, this investment is in line with a process that has been underway for many years in terms of overall environmental performance and with its low-carbon strategy.
“By participating in this program, we can, in an immediate and concrete way, reduce part of our carbon footprint. Every action counts! But this action must be seen in the context of a much broader strategy that also includes a plan to decarbonise our activities. We have launched a carbon assessment, the results of which will enable us to establish an effective and coherent strategy at the beginning of next year,” added Anaïs Giraud-Guigues.
Well-being at work: Poralu Marine strengthens its commitment to employee satisfaction by creating and recruiting a Manager of Human Harmony & Outreach
“Put what’s essential at the heart of what’s important” summarises the managerial philosophy of Laurent Gasiglia, CEO of Poralu Marine. For several years, he has considered well-being at work – an essential component of the performance and development of any company – at the heart of the group’s business activity. Today Gasiglia’s ambition is to make employee satisfaction a major part of his business strategy and to reinforce the development and support of talent in the group. To this end, Poralu Marine has created the position of manager of Human Harmonisation and Outreach and has hired Laura Terrollion, an expert in HR management. This unprecedented role, which breaks away from conventional approaches to management, will ensure that Poralu Marine’s values of protecting each person’s well-being at work and sharing pleasures are meaningful and respected.
Well-being at work, a powerful driver that strengthens a company’s performance
In its day-to-day business activities, products and services, as well as in relations with all its stakeholders, the well-being of people is at the heart of Poralu Marine’s activity and comes before economic performance.
“A company must first and foremost be a real force for social change: its economic profitability, which is essential to its viability and longevity, is a means to serve this force and not an end in itself. Corporate citizenship, responsibility and commitment begin at the very heart of a company’s daily activity, in the way it behaves with its employees, its customers, its suppliers, all its stakeholders and, more broadly, its ecosystem,” explained Gasiglia.
Poralu Marine, a positive energy business
Poralu Marine is a socially responsible company that aims to have a positive impact on its environment and to improve social relations: wherever it operates; when pleasure is shared, performance is enhanced. Keeping promises and mutual respect are the foundations of relations between staff.
The Group is committed to a “better corporate life” approach, which is summarised in the concept of the Poralu Spirit combining team spirit and a commitment to serving its clients with open-mindedness and humility. The Poralu Spirit is not mere words but is lived on a day-to-day basis. The secret of Poralu Marine’s durability is staying true to its values, drawing pleasure from the actual work and believing in the potential of each individual.
The company’s managerial philosophy is upheld by two principles: enjoying work and helping staff grow
Gasiglia’s vision is based on straightforward values and a mindset that he wants to share and pass on to staff: enjoyment, simplicity, team spirit, humility, frankness, integrity, loyalty, enthusiasm and audacity. Spurred on by a genuine wish to help his staff grow, he makes it possible for each person to find their place and achieve their potential. Self- fulfilment and pleasure involve aligning natural talents in the workplace in a compassionate environment.
The company’s personnel must be accompanied, supported and encouraged in a frank open way as well as being trusted. Enjoying working together is also an integral part of his managerial philosophy. This may be in everyday actions, encounters or projects, during which, in Laurent’s opinion “we must dare to share pleasure within the company and between colleagues. Pleasure comes from sharing moments of joy, from wanting to engage in dialogue, filling up on positive thoughts and surrendering to enthusiasm.”
To make sure staff fulfil their potential at work and to promote harmonious staff relations, Gasiglia has created a new position that disrupts conventional management techniques.
H2O Human Harmony & Outreach
The new manager in charge of human harmony and outreach H2O is Laura Terrollion, who joined Poralu Marine in September 2021. As an enthusiastic HR professional, she is tasked with ensuring consistency in the company’s values and employee satisfaction. She is also in charge of professional fulfilment, staff enjoyment and employee well-being. Finally, her role consists of fostering a good social environment, which involves sharing pleasures and harmonising social relations.
“Changes in the way we collaborate give rise to new needs and sometimes require a readjustment of interpersonal relations. The creation of this new position allows me to guide employees in the complexity of the transformations intrinsic to company life. The employees know that I am there to listen to them and support them,” explained Laura Terrollion.
Laura’s role differs from that of a facilitator or a Happiness Officer in that she will back employees – either individually or in teams –who have actively chosen to develop their potential. “This may involve, for example, stimulating a particular skill or clarifying a professional project. The requests are varied. I use a questioning tool that I have created to help the person or persons. This method allows us to discover or foster the growth of each person’s strengths,” she adds.
Three questions for Laura Terrollion
Why did you choose Poralu Marine?
I was attracted by the values of the company conveyed by the executive team and all the managers, as well as their insistence on the behavioural and motivational profiles of the talent they recruit. I passionately believe in the group’s business, social and environmental stance.
Can you describe a typical day?
I roll out positive energy concepts in the firm, steer and supervise recruitment, and manage the onboarding and performance reviews of new staff. I also help managers improve their performance and supervise the well-being of staff.
What do you like about this role?
The creation of the new role has given me a unique opportunity to share an entrepreneurial adventure in a changing environment with missions committed to doing good.
Click here for more of The Islander’s LATEST NEWS
About Poralu Marine
Developing unique leisure marina solutions and equipment is the core activity of Poralu Marine, which has designed, built and installed more than 8,000 projects worldwide, making it the global industry leader in the design and construction of aluminium structures. From this expertise in sustainable installations, Poralu Marine is constantly innovating with the launch of footbridges, environmentally friendly anchoring solutions, and floating waste collectors (Seabin), to name just a few. The activities of the group’s brands – Poralu Marine, Nautiscaphe, Poralu Bridge, Rotax, WPS, EDDS – are a testimony to the constant renewal of our product range which is particularly respectful of the natural environment and of those who fight to preserve it. In 2020, Poralu Marine revolutionized its core business when it launched Marina Management & Consulting, hence shifting from manufacturer to designer, manager and investor. In 2021, Poralu Marine strengthened its leadership in the matter of environmental protection. by launching “The Searial Cleaners” the first ever range of littoral waste collectors. With its headquarters in Port, France and established in 1982, Poralu Marine now has 150 employees worldwide.
0 Comments