A governance tailored for sustainable growth

Could you explain the main missions of the Environment and Society Committee within the Board of Directors?

Annette Winkler: I firmly believe strong governance underpins any successful strategy. That's precisely why the Environment and Society Committee, or CES, is so crucial at Air Liquide. It plays a pivotal role in shaping Air Liquide’s sustainability strategy and ensuring its effective implementation. Air Liquide has had this committee since 2017, which shows its proactive approach to ESG. This is also reflected in the Group’ strategic plan, ADVANCE, which places financial and extra-financial performance on a comparable level of importance. The committee members have diverse backgrounds, both inside and outside Air Liquide, all genuinely interested in ESG, which keeps our approach strategic yet firmly rooted in reality. In 2024, our priorities included implementing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), reviewing our first Climate Transition Plan, and looking at ESG-related risks and opportunities. We rigorously evaluate progress toward the Group’s ESG objectives via a thorough assessment of action plans, providing recommendations to the Board, supported by strong internal governance and high-quality discussions with Air Liquide’s teams. It's a process I'm deeply involved in, and I'm proud of the progress we're making.

The global landscape is constantly evolving. How do you see this impacting ESG trends, and how is Air Liquide positioning itself to navigate these challenges?

We are living in a period of rapid, uncertain, and often contradictory change on many fronts. ESG, an increasingly pressing issue – and one I follow closely – is no exception. We see different trends playing out. While the direction in the United States remains somewhat uncertain, Europe, despite its regulatory push, faces intense debates and demands for simplification, especially on the reporting front. China maintains a strong dynamic regarding energy transition. Air Liquide navigates this complex landscape with a sense of responsibility, agility, and importantly, pragmatism. The Group is committed to being a driving force for change, and taking a long term view, leveraging its deep expertise, diverse technologies and extensive global presence. This means focusing on practical and impactful actions in each geography.

From your perspective, what differentiates Air Liquide's approach to sustainability?

What impresses me most about Air Liquide – and I've seen this firsthand – is not just the breadth of challenges the Group addresses – from driving the energy transition and supporting an aging population to transforming industries, including digitization and Artificial Intelligence – but its integrated approach to sustainability. ESG is not a separate agenda item; it's truly embedded within the Group’s long-term vision which aligns business opportunities with societal needs. Beyond CO₂ emissions, which are obviously critical, Air Liquide also prioritizes the social and societal dimensions. The Group firmly believes that long-term value creation depends on the engagement of its employees and the well-being of the communities where the Group operates. This holistic approach, combined with concrete evidence of progress, positions Air Liquide to achieve a lasting positive impact. I'm proud to be a part of it!