CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility, which came into force on April 11, 2007, aims to encourage new corporate behavior, particularly in terms of logistical choices...

The CSR commitment of companies is to improve the quality of the wealth created while minimizing the nuisance generated. For example, in the transport sector, by reducing the social impact (accidents, congestion, dumping), societal impact (good use of infrastructures and reduction of nuisance) and environmental impact (CO2 and particulate emissions).

In France, the obligation to publish a CSR report was introduced by the Grenelle 2 Act of 2010.

Using the transport materiality matrix (used to prioritize CSR issues in a company's reporting), it is possible to identify priority issues such as :

• The reduction of the most significant nuisances for the citizen/consumer, in this case: particulates, noise, congestion and accidents, commonly known as the negative externalities of transport.
• Improving business performance: punctuality and transport quality.

The transport chain has the advantage of seeing both its efficiency and the reduction of its environmental and social footprint linked, thanks to the same factors: quality of materials, equipment and staff training.

For years, the focus on transport quality has been solely on CO2 emissions. Yet the latter is neither a pollutant nor a factor in improving transport quality. The main beneficiary is the haulier, who has reduced his fuel bill, and not the consumer, who is insensitive to this externality in the short term.

CO2 is a long-term nuisance, responsible for global warming, and its emissions must therefore be monitored, controlled and limited, but it is only a small component of the cost to society (5% in towns, 15% in the countryside).

Negative externalities are a major short-term nuisance. Their cumulative costs in Europe have been estimated at over 700 billion euros per year, and it is imperative and urgent that companies take them seriously...

Companies' commitment to CSR will finally enable real progress to be made.

For example, freight transport companies are becoming more attentive to the use of new materials and equipment that emit less noise and particulates, and that are more environmentally friendly.