The company safeguards the quality of ecosystems and helps its customers preserve them. Measures designed to protect flora and fauna span a range of services such as treating wastewater, collecting waste, reducing the footprint of mass-transit infrastructure and improving the efficiency of heating networks. Still, Veolia Environnement remains vigilant, since the ecosystems themselves are instrumental in successfully implementing our missions.

Preserving biodiversity

Veolia Environnement's four divisions help preserve biodiversity and reduce environmental pollution. By concentrating on treating wastewater and waste, reducing atmospheric emissions from centralized district heating networks, and cutting pollution caused by private vehicles through the development of effective public-transportation solutions, the company helps prevent urban and industrial pollution from contaminating the planet's soil, air and water.

Moreover, Veolia Environnement takes takes into account the effects of its operations, such as the use of natural resources and residual pollution caused by discharge from its activities. At the same time, it factors in the need to protect biodiversity when designing facilities or taking over the running of sites for customers. Its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) reference its main facilities' location relative to areas of ecological interest, for which it sets priorities and implements action plans.

Making use of ecosystems

Healthy ecosystems are vital to the company's ability to provide a number of services. This interdependent relationship between our business activities and the earth's ecosystems helps us better protect biodiversity. Veolia Water, for instance, helps municipal and industrial customers reduce sources of accidental or chronic pollution and protect catchment areas. Preserving the quality of water resources is one way of reducing the number of steps needed to treat water.

Nature also lends Veolia Environnement a helping hand, with some tasks carried out by the ecosystems themselves. Every species performs a number of functions fundamental to a balanced ecosystem. They provide a vital contribution that the company can harness to provide key services. Ecosystems have the power to regulate air quality and clean water. Examples include the biological treatment of untreated water and wastewater, and the use of ponds or grassy strips for their self-cleaning properties. Biodiversity, therefore, makes it possible to use simpler treatment processes that are less demanding on water and energy resources.