Background

Logistic centers are the nodes of logistic networks. Their location and features have a direct influence on the means of transportation available to move consumer goods, the distance travelled by these goods, and by extension on the large air pollution caused by supply chains. To accelerate the ecological transition, French metropolises are legally required to create « low-emission zone“, prohibiting access to dense urban areas for the most polluting vehicles (professional and personal). In recent months, Meridiam has been engaging with several large cities, which are eager to partner with Meridiam to develop logistics centres, which they increasingly see as powerful levers to implement environmental policy at a local scale. To support this effort, Meridiam:
• invested in June 2022 in Sogaris, the largest manager of logistic centers in the greater Paris region with a portfolio of 13 assets for a total size of 500,000m2 with opportunities to further decarbonise existing assets
• is establishing a Joint Venture comprising of Sogaris, and Caisse des dépôts (French State Investment arm) which will finance and develop sustainable infrastructure centres. The Joint Venture will work with French municipalities to support them in regaining control of their urban logistics network and implementing both environmental and social policies at a local scale.

Stage:

In Operation

ESG / SDG Key Facts:

Logistics centres facilitate the transport of goods, which account for nearly 50% of global transportation emissions. Meridiam’s entry into the logistics sector therefore offers great opportunities to reduce emissions. There are three main ways Sogaris, and the future partnership with Meridiam, will look to address decarbonation of urban logistics:
• Focus on highly strategic locations that enable convenient transfer of goods from carbon intensive towards clean means of transportation (e.g. Multimodality with rail and river, at the entrance of zero emission zones).
• Streamlined approach to design and construction with optimisation of building efficiency, use of onsite renewables and clean mobility charging infrastructure.
• Contractual incentives for tenants to move to a greener transportation fleet and reduce generation of waste.
In Q2 2023, Sogaris selected a PV partner to assist in deploying over 400,000m2 of solar panel across 32 of its managed buildings (16MWe). The first projects should be launched by the end of 2023 on an initial batch of 12 sites.