SNCF Connect & Tech, the French tech company serving mobility, embarks on a voluntary CSR approach to guide its 2025–2030 strategy
- Sustainability
Mathilde LECOMPTE has been Head of CSR at SNCF Connect & Tech (open in a new tab) since 2023. Upon taking up her role, she quickly decided to launch two major initiatives: a double materiality analysis and a greenhouse gas emissions assessment in a non-regulatory context. For these missions, she chose to be supported by Wavestone’s Sustainability teams, led by Benoit DURAND.
A look back in pictures at this tailor-made support, highlighting a voluntary approach designed to provide a clear direction and feed SNCF Connect & Tech’s CSR roadmap for 2025–2030.
Mathilde, can you briefly explain the context behind this dual mission?
SNCF Connect & Tech is a leading company in tech and sustainable mobility with three main activities: the well-known SNCF Connect, and two other technology businesses where we develop digital solutions for mobility. When I joined the company, the objective was clear: co-write the CSR strategy and provide a common framework and direction for the entire organization.
The double materiality analysis is a mandatory exercise under the CSRD; however, SNCF Connect & Tech was not directly subject to this regulation. Nevertheless, we felt it was highly relevant because it enables a company to understand the impacts it may have on society and the environment.
“Double materiality” is a central concept in sustainability reporting, particularly under the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). It broadens the perspective on corporate performance by integrating not only financial materiality but also environmental and social impact materiality.
We also decided to carry out the carbon footprint assessment simultaneously, as the two exercises complement each other and provide a solid understanding of CO₂e impacts. The carbon assessment feeds into the double materiality analysis. For us, this was a key step to identify which activities required emission reductions.
Wavestone was the obvious choice to support us, given its leading expertise in the digital sector, which is our core business.
How did the mission unfold? What challenges did you face?
For these two missions, we encountered some challenges. The double materiality analysis can be complex, as it involves engaging various stakeholders: members of the Executive Committee, employees, external partners, and suppliers for whom sustainability is not a core focus. It was therefore essential to help these stakeholders fully grasp topics they were unfamiliar with to enable accurate evaluations.
In the end, we were pleasantly surprised by everyone’s willingness to participate. This goodwill allowed us to achieve reliable and precise results. It was also thanks to Wavestone’s methodological expertise in these exercises, which I had not yet developed in my previous roles.
The collaboration went extremely well. Working together felt simple and seamless, almost like working with colleagues.
Do you consider this dual mission a success?
Personally, I am proud of these two missions. Each was successful in its own right, but above all, they contributed to drafting the CSR roadmap for 2025. They even helped integrate solid, operational CSR objectives into our 2030 roadmap.
Very few digital companies have taken the initiative to conduct a simplified double materiality exercise in a non-regulatory context. Yet the benefits are real: strengthening stakeholder expertise (internal and external) on CSR issues specific to digital activities and providing prioritization keys for these challenges.
What are your next CSR priorities?
The challenge now for SNCF Connect & Tech is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting a climate ambition for 2030. More broadly, it is about fully embedding CSR operationally across all functions and levels of the organization. This requires deep change management, and for this, we have once again called on Wavestone.
In summary, a mission that highlighted:
1 – The importance of building a robust CSR foundation to guide strategy and ensure future compliance
SNCF Connect & Tech anticipated CSRD requirements by simultaneously conducting a double materiality analysis and a greenhouse gas emissions assessment despite no regulatory obligation. Result: a clear, objective view of ESG impacts to inform decision-making and structure the 2025–2030 strategic roadmap.
2 – Unprecedented organizational engagement, facilitated by Wavestone’s expertise
The exercises mobilized the entire organization—Executive Committee, internal teams, partners, and suppliers—on sometimes unfamiliar topics. Wavestone’s methodological expertise accelerated skills development, secured data, and delivered reliable, actionable results.
3 – A lasting operational dynamic to decarbonize and transform
This mission laid the foundations for an ambitious CSR trajectory: controlling and reducing emissions, embedding CSR operationally across all functions, and driving large-scale change management.
