Social and environmental responsibility

Supporting and sustaining research involves deciding how institutional resources will be used and preserved and how the decision-making process will unfold. This also requires communications with the supervisory ministries and navigating the legal, regulatory, and budgetary rules that shape public action.

• A social and environmental responsibility strategy which conveys meaning and identity
• A commitment to environmental protection
• A dedicated employer (HR Excellence and Equality-Diversity labels)
• A commitment to openness and transparency

Analysing the impacts of our decisions and work on society and the environment

INRAE is committed to developing a clear strategy for promoting social and environmental responsibility that aligns with its broad scientific strategy as well as its activities, values, and internal practices. To this end, we are measuring and analysing the impacts of our decisions and work on society and the environment. We are striving to bring about change by behaving ethically and transparently, fully complying with current regulations, and accounting for the expectations of internal and external stakeholders. The strategy thus serves as a complement to and extension of INRAE’s work on scientific issues related to sustainable development. The strategy is weighty - it combines the principles of shared responsibility, universal participation, solidarity, equity, and efficiency. It is also driven by an ambitious environmental approach employed by all the institute’s members (decision-makers, managers, and regular staff).

An institutional carbon plan for reducing our environmental impacts

We must develop ambitious internal policies to promote energy savings, staff mobility, efficient resource use, waste reduction, the preservation of biodiversity, and responsible purchasing decisions. We have come up with an institutional carbon plan for reducing our environmental impacts. It has eight components:
• Responsible work-related travel
• Sustainable energy management
• Improvements in research practices
• Innovative institutional carbon offsetting schemes or the production of carbon credits
• More efficient resource usage and waste recycling
• A commitment to more sustainable purchasing decisions
• More environmentally friendly diets
• Sustainable management of digital technologies

Improving quality of life at work, fostering digital solidarity, and facilitating mobility

INRAE never rests on its laurels. Having recently received AFNOR’s Equality and Diversity at Work certification and the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award, the institute is looking to become even more socially responsible. We remain convinced that management styles, the meaning and quality of an individual’s work, and the framework and conditions under which work is produced all contribute to the individual development of our personnel and, thus, the collective success of the institute. We are specifically focusing on three areas: improving quality of life at work, fostering digital solidarity, and facilitating mobility within Europe and across the world to enhance research performance.

Societal expectations are extremely high, and everyday citizens demand clarity regarding how research results and expertise are obtained, the aims of this work, and its timeliness. We are invested in communicating with the general public and teaching members of society about our research. In tandem, we are committed to fostering debate and exchange, especially on high-stakes issues. This commitment means that we must provide space for opposing viewpoints, explore controversial topics, and provide scientific facts to inform debates.