CSR Initiative and 2025 Carbon Footprint Assessment: Low-Carbon Modular Kitchens

By 2026, CSR will no longer be an option for local governments and businesses —it will be a legal requirement and a driver of competitiveness. Yet one major source of emissions is often underestimated: food service infrastructure. At LocaCuisines, the French leader in temporary modular kitchens, we’re proving that modularity is the key to low-carbon food service. Our 2025 carbon footprint report shows a 45% reduction in emissions over two years, with just 210 g CO₂e per meal.

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Why this article?

• Understanding CSR obligations (BEGES, CSRD) and their impacts.
• Analyzing our 2025 carbon footprint report and its key takeaways.
• Identify modular solutions to reduce your footprint.
• Take concrete action using a structured approach.

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LocaCuisines 2025 Carbon Footprint: 45% Reduction in Emissions in 2 Years

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In 2026, LocaCuisines published its comprehensive carbon footprint assessment, conducted in accordance with the ADEME/Bilan Carbone V9 methodology. The results are impressive: a 45% reduction in emissions in just two years. The 2025 carbon footprint assessment was conducted in collaboration with an independent specialist firm, CLIMAT LOCAL.

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Key figures: 2,154 tCO₂e vs. 3,929 tCO₂e (2023)

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• 2023: 3,929 tCO₂e (baseline data).
• 2025: 2,154 metric tons of CO₂e
• Reduction: 45%, or 1,775 tCO₂e less over 2 years.

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→ This discount is equivalent to:

• 10 million km by car (1 tCO₂e = 5,000 km).
• The annual consumption of 400 French households (1 household = 5.5 metric tons of CO₂e per year).

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Key Ratios for 2025:

• 184 kgCO₂e per k€ of revenue (2025 revenue: 11.7 M€).
• 50 tCO₂e per employee (workforce: ~43 employees).
• 210 gCO₂e per meal (10.5 million meals produced).

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Breakdown by Scopes and Transmitter Stations

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Our carbon footprint covers all emissions, in accordance with the GHG Protocol:

• Scope 1 (Direct Emissions): ~12% of total emissions. Actions: Electric vehicles, optimizing travel...
• Scope 2 (Energy): ~8% of emissions. Actions: Switching to green electricity, improved insulation...
• Scope 3 (Other indirect emissions): ~80% of emissions. Main sources: Purchasing, logistics, module usage. Actions: Reuse of modules, optimized logistics, low-carbon equipment...

→ Scope 3, which is often overlooked, accounts for the largest share. This is where our modular solutions make a difference.

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Why CSR Will Become Mandatory for Local Governments and Businesses in 2025–2026

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The environmental transition is accelerating, and regulatory requirements are becoming stricter. For local governments and businesses, CSR is no longer just a marketing tool, but a strategic and legal necessity.

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Legal Requirements: BEGES, CSRD, and Local Governments

In 2026, two major frameworks will govern organizations' carbon responsibility:

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• The BEGES (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory) :
  • Required for:
    • Companies with 500 or more employees (or 250 or more for local governments).
    • Public institutions (hospitals, schools, cafeterias).
  • Scope: Direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions (Scope 2 and 3).
  • Penalties: A fine of up to €10,000 for noncompliance.

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• The CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) :
  • Effective as of 2024 for large companies (criteria: 250 or more employees, €40 million or more in revenue, or €20 million or more in total assets).
  • To be extended to publicly traded SMEs in 2026.
  • Requirement: Publication of a sustainability report aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS ).

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For local governments:

• The AGEC Act (2020) and the Tertiary Sector Decree (2019) require a 40% reduction in energy consumption by 2030 for public buildings.
• Institutional kitchens (school cafeterias, nursing homes, hospitals) are directly affected.

→ By 2025, failing to incorporate CSR into your strategy will put you at risk of penalties and losing public contracts.

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The Business Benefits of a Structured CSR Approach

A proactive CSR approach yields tangible benefits:

• Access to Public Procurement: An Elimination Criterion in 80% of Bids.
• Cost Reduction: Energy Savings and Resource Optimization.
• Image and Appeal: Enhancing Reputation and Building Stakeholder Loyalty.
• Regulatory Resilience: Anticipating Future Requirements.
• Attractive Financing Options: Access to grants (ADEME, regional governments, the European Union).

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→ CSR is not a cost, but a profitable investment in both the short and long term.

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The Often-Overlooked Role of Food Service Infrastructure

Few organizations measure the carbon footprint of their food service infrastructure, even though it accounts for:

• 15 to 25% of a commercial building’s carbon footprint (source: ADEME).
• Up to 30% of emissions from local government facilities (school cafeterias, nursing homes, hospitals).

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Why does this station have such a strong signal?

• Construction: A built-in kitchen emits 500 to 1,000 kg CO₂e/m² (concrete, steel, equipment).
• Operations: Energy, water, and waste generate recurring emissions.
• Maintenance: Renovations, equipment replacements, etc.

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The solution? Temporary modular kitchens, which allow you to:
✅ Avoid construction (and its associated emissions).
✅ Reuse the modules across multiple sites.
✅ Optimize energy use with high-performance equipment.

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How to Measure the Carbon Impact of Temporary Food Service Infrastructure

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To assess and reduce the carbon footprint of your infrastructure, you need to understand the scopes and apply a rigorous methodology.

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The Three Scopes You Need to Master (1, 2, 3)

• Scope 1: Direct emissions. Examples: Gas combustion, vehicle fuels. Share of the carbon footprint: 10–20%.
• Scope 2: Indirect energy-related emissions. Examples: Electricity, heating, air conditioning. Share of the carbon footprint: 10–15%.
• Scope 3: Other indirect emissions.Examples: Purchases (materials, equipment), logistics, use, end-of-life. Share of the carbon footprint: 65–80%.

→ Scope 3 emissions are the most complex to measure, but also have the greatest impact.

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Carbon Footprint V9 Methodology and ADEME Regulations

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To ensure your carbon footprint assessment is compliant, follow the Bilan Carbone® V9 (ADEME) methodology:

1. Define the scope :
   • Organizational: Which entities are included?
   • Operations: Which sites, activities, and equipment?
   • Time frame: Data covering 1 year (fiscal year).
2. Collect data :
   • Bills (electricity, gas, fuel).
   • Mileage (vehicles, deliveries).
   • Purchases (materials, equipment, services).
3. Calculate Emissions :
   • Use the ADEME emission factors.
   • Example: 1 kWh of electricity = 0.05 kgCO₂e (French energy mix).
4. Analyze and Prioritize :
   • Identify the positions with the highest emissions.
   • Develop an action plan (reduction, offset).

→ ADEME recommends conducting a carbon assessment every two years to track progress.

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Modular Solutions: A Low-Carbon Alternative to Built-In Kitchens

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Modular kitchens aren't just practical and quick to set up —they're also the lowest-carbon solutions for temporary or permanent food service.

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Why Modularity Equals Carbon Efficiency

• Construction :
  • Modular kitchen: Prefabricated in a workshop.
  • Permanent kitchen: On-site (concrete, steel).
• Materials :
  • Modular Kitchens: Reuse and Solutions with Solar Panels Available
  • Built-in kitchen: Concrete and standard steel used exclusively for this kitchen
  • Modular advantage: Uses fewer resources.
• Service Life :
  • Modular kitchens: 20 years and older.
  • Built-in kitchen: 20–30 years.
  • Modular advantage: Can be reused at multiple sites. Rental duration tailored to your exact needs. 
• Professional equipment:
  
  • Modular kitchen: incorporates low-carbon materials, tailored to specific needs.
  • Built-in kitchen: equipment quickly becomes obsolete; there's no need to use everything (inventory)
• Flexibility :
  • Modular kitchen: Customizable in size and features.
  • Built-in kitchen: Built-in.
  • Modular advantage: Prevents oversizing.
• Disassembly :
  • Modular kitchen: 100% recyclable and reusable for other projects.
  • Built-in Kitchen: Complex Deconstruction.
  • Modular Advantage: Environmentally Responsible End-of-Life Management.

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‍Logistics Routes and Transportation Impact

Logistics is a key factor in reducing the carbon footprint. At LocaCuisines:

• Strategic warehousing: 2 warehouses in France to minimize distances.
• Consolidated shipping: Up to 2 modules per truck
• Low-carbon vehicles: 40% of trips are made using OLEO 100 (biofuel)

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LocaCuisines: A French leader committed to decarbonization

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With over 30 years of experience and 700 modules available, LocaCuisines is the go-to partner for low-carbon modular food service solutions.

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30 years of experience + EcoVadis Platinum and Coq Vert certifications

• 30 years of expertise: France’s leading provider of modular kitchens.
• 700 modules: The largest fleet in France.
• Certifications :
  • EcoVadis Platinum (top 1% of companies evaluated).
  • Coq Vert Label (exemplary environmental practices).
• Made in France: 100% made in France (workshops in Île-de-France and Occitanie).

→ Recognized expertise and a concrete commitment to corporate social responsibility.

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Made in France, French technical teams

• Workshops in France: Locally designed and manufactured.
• 100% French technical teams: Engineers, technicians, logistics specialists.
• Unique expertise: Modularity, sustainability, energy efficiency.

→ A 100% French value chain for a controlled carbon footprint.

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Comprehensive support: design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance

We support our clients from start to finish:

1. Study: Carbon audit and customized sizing.
2. Manufacturing: Custom modules (size, equipment, standards).
3. Installation: Disassembly, transport, assembly.
4. Maintenance: Technical monitoring and energy optimization.
5. Disassembly: Recycling and Reuse.

→ A turnkey service for hassle-free low-carbon catering.

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FAQ - Carbon Footprint and Modular Catering

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1. What is the carbon footprint of a LocaCuisines modular kitchen?

Our modular kitchens emit 210 g CO₂e per meal. This result is achieved through:

• An optimized design (reusable modules, sustainable materials).
• High-performance equipment (ovens, baking sheets, low-carbon ventilation systems).
• Streamlined logistics (consolidated shipping, strategic locations).

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2. How can I measure the carbon footprint of my institutional kitchen?

To measure your kitchen's carbon footprint, follow these steps:

1. Define the scope (Scope 1, 2, 3).
2. Collect data (energy bills, mileage, purchases).
3. Calculate emissions using ADEME factors.
4. Analyze and prioritize the source positions.

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3. How does LocaCuisines reduce its carbon footprint?

We focus on three key areas:

1. Design: Reusable modules, sustainable materials.
2. Operations: Green energy, high-performance equipment.
3. Logistics: Optimized transportation, low-carbon fleet.

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5. What are the CSR obligations for local governments in 2025?

By 2026, local governments must:

• Conduct a BEGES (if there are 250 or more employees).
• Comply with the AGEC law (a 40% reduction in energy consumption by 2030).
• Incorporate CSR criteria into public procurement.

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📩 Would you like to set up a temporary kitchen? Contact our teams to learn more and get the carbon footprint of your project.

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