In total the efforts of the area were used to reduce 2

Google Europe has just to gather hundreds of collaborators, BNP Paribas has organized a neutral carbon seminar. The Conference centre Les Fontaines, near Chantilly (Oise), collects little by little the fruits of its ecological investment. Acquired in 1998 by the Cap Gemini group for its own seminars, the former domain of the Rothschild family is open to other companies, including the launches of projects and seminars represent more than half of the activity. This 19th century castle, its Park displayed 50 hectares and its beautiful piece of water were flanked in 2002 a centre meeting in contemporary architecture and a hamlet of nine residences of 300 rooms. These constructions, without being particularly green, were able to preserve the forest and banning cars, returned in an underground parking. It took until 2005 for Jacques Collin, the founder of the Congress centre, committed field in sustainable development. Helped Cabinet utopias and the association Goodplanet, it defines a plan of action in 2006. "It is the starting point, followed a carbon footprint," says Jean-Pierre Dunand, Director of sustainable development.

Reduces heating

For the European eco-label of the hotel, a particularly demanding distinction, the establishment has reviewed its practices in depth, but also those of its subcontractors, as Eurest for restoration. "Of all our customers, it is more radically changed", enthuses Elisabeth Laville, founder of utopias. Packaging were banished to the maximum with hygiene products provided to residents in bulk, the jams served in pot, etc. Recently, the centre has a biological compost allowing leverage all organic kitchen waste and avoid throwing them out. "Our waste removal costs have declined," said Jean-Pierre Dunand.

The heating was reduced to 24 C below 20 C and the hot water flow reduced by the installation of mousseurs. In four years, water consumption increased from 47,000 to 31,000 m3, even if the presence of a swimming pool limit gains. The consumption of natural gas decreased by 22 despite the increase in attendance. "We feared the reaction of the visitors and it went well overall, even if we had complaints from customers, especially concerning flow showers," said Olivier Verschueren, technical manager. The Park has been the subject of a study of biodiversity and now enjoys a mode of ecological management.

In the kitchen, the Chief also has converted to the seasonality of products by changing his card every three months. Eurest has been responsible for banishing the food of wild origin and imported by air products. On the other hand, is that gradually the kitchen goes to the bio. "Breakfast is almost ' completely biological, but this remains complicated in Central of purchase to have local and regular supplies for catering.". "We have for example change the bakers bread and there is no organic pastries", explains Thierry Stapelle, in charge of the restoration.

Geothermal energy

Latest investment to date, the construction of a 70 m deep geothermal drilling, connected to a heat exchanger. This system, one of the most powerful in France in the private sector, fueling a few days the heating and cooling of the first of the nine residences. Managers expect a reduction by two of the invoice of electricity once completed in spring 2011.

In total, the efforts of the area were used to reduce 2.974 2.329 tonnes of CO2 carbon footprint. A single problem of size: this calculation does not include the movement of visitors, 40 come from the other end of the Earth. Jean-Pierre Dunand remains however convinced of the usefulness of its positioning. Despite an economic environment which causes 30 tariff reductions and makes it less powerful green argument to the ears of the clients, it already reflects the replacement of polluting boiler fuel oil that heats the common parts.