Sustainable Development

The LBE is fully committed to a sustainable and responsible approach, in line with:

• The Climate, Biodiversity and Ecological Transition Plan for Higher Education and Research,
• The Ecological Transition Program and the Eco-Responsible Public Services (SPE) framework,
• The INRAE Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) Action Plan.

By embracing social and environmental responsibility, INRAE is mobilizing all its efforts to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to maximize positive impacts and minimize negative ones — environmentally, socially, and economically.

Objectives

Our goal is to measure and analyze the impact of the laboratory’s decisions and activities, in order to improve them over time. This is done with ethical and transparent behavior, in full compliance with regulations and in consideration of our partners’ expectations.

Organization

A dedicated Sustainable Development Working Group structures its actions around six key areas.

The group is coordinated by Maud Porte (TR) and Virginie Rossard (IE).

Actions Undertaken

Raising Awareness

• Internal communication campaigns (emails, educational posters)
• Collaborative workshops
• Seminars on climate change, sustainable mobility, waste sorting, biodiversity, digital responsibility, eco-friendly habits, and more

Greenhouse Gas Assessment

• Completion of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report (BGES)

Operational Actions

• Pooling purchases of consumables and chemical products, with careful estimation of needs
• Implementation of a waste-sorting procedure across all laboratory areas
• Reusable dishware introduced to reduce waste

Eco-Responsible Green Space Management

• Zero use of phytosanitary products
• Preservation of local orchid species
• Late mowing, mulching, and water-efficient irrigation
• Installation of birdhouses and ecological control of pine processionary caterpillars
• Outdoor improvements enhancing working conditions (pergolas, trees, shared garden, recreation areas)

Reducing the Digital Footprint

• Reuse of IT equipment within the lab (experimental setups, analytical devices)
• Recycling or donation of old materials to local associations
• Data cleaning campaigns (emails, servers, etc.)

Perspectives

This sustainable dynamic will continue to strengthen over the coming years, in alignment with the 2026–2030 Unit Project objectives.
All these initiatives reflect the LBE’s structured, concrete, and evolving commitment to ecological transition.
Our approach emphasizes active staff participation, coherence with INRAE’s strategic orientations, and integration into local initiatives, placing sustainable development at the very heart of the laboratory’s operations.

Spotlight on the “Biodiversity and Well-Being Development” Project (ABioBE)

The LBE has made significant progress in supporting biodiversity through the ABioBE project (Development for Biodiversity and Well-Being), launched in 2021 and funded with €25,000 following a national INRAE call for projects.

The project’s aim is to combine biodiversity preservation with improved quality of life at work.
Located in a semi-natural environment, the LBE site initially featured limited biodiversity and few developed outdoor spaces.

A Long-Term Collaborative Project

Concrete actions have been carried out:

• Planting 190 trees,
• Installing birdhouses,
• Creating welcoming outdoor spaces with pergolas, sports areas, and a shared garden.

These participatory actions involved LBE staff and local partners (LPO, Regional Natural Park, CAUE of Aude), ensuring ecological coherence and local engagement.
The first outcomes are highly positive — staff have embraced the new facilities, and encouraging signs of biodiversity recovery are already visible.
The project was even featured in INRAE’s Novae magazine, highlighting LBE’s leadership in sustainable transformation.