PAO Values Environmental Management System

Environmental Management System

The PAO Experimental Unit is sustainably committed to an integrated environmental approach based on adopting more respectful farming practices, reducing inputs, implementing sound waste management, and optimizing natural resources. Each action is part of a global vision of sustainability, aiming to reconcile research, performance, and environmental protection.

The Environmental Management System (EMS) is a collective certification process launched by INRAE in 2013, aimed at achieving exemplary standards in environmental protection. This initiative is part of the corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSR) strategy deployed across INRAE. The EMS allows voluntary units to organize themselves to evaluate and reduce their environmental impact. It is a process of continuous improvement: units progress step-by-step until they join the scope of the ISO 14001 collective certification.

As of March 2025, INRAE has 56 units engaged in the process, 32 of which are ISO 14001 certified. In alignment with the agroecological focus of its research programs, the unit has joined the EMS process. Its certification is scheduled for 2026.

Objectives for ISO 14001 Certification

To enter the scope of the collective ISO 14001 certification, the unit has addressed numerous objectives:

  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring full adherence to current legislation (nearly 220 regulatory texts).
  • Impact Control: Monitoring and limiting our environmental footprint.
  • Risk Management: Providing peace of mind by anticipating and preparing for emergency situations.
  • Integration: Embedding the EMS directly into the unit’s daily operations and research activities.

National Policy Action Plan

To meet national policy requirements, the implemented action plan focuses on seven key objectives:

  1. Waste Management: Ensuring total control over waste production and disposal.
  2. Emergency Risk Control: Managing risks related to emergencies such as leaks or fires.
  3. Air Emissions Control: Specifically aimed at reducing the unit's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
  4. Water Management: Controlling consumption and minimizing impacts on water resources.
  5. Energy Efficiency: Mastering and reducing energy consumption.
  6. Site Security: Securing the site to eliminate intrusion risks.
  7. Impact Monitoring: Tracking environmental impacts where direct levers for action may not yet be available.

 

See also

AMDORE
Etudiants restaurant une mare
Pond Restoration at the Nouzilly Site

By: VR Publication date: 16 December 2025 Modification date: 26 February 2026