Glossary and abbreviations

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PFI Private Finance Initiative

A recent contractual arrangement in the UK that is more flexible than PPPs (public-private partnerships). This framework contract was developed by the central government in consultation with the sector stakeholders. The PFI allows for considerable contractual flexibility between the public and private partners based on the principle that the risks and responsibilities are largely shouldered by the private partner.

PNSE Plan National de Santé Environnement

The French National Environmental Health Plan (PNSE) aims to provide a response to concerns regarding the short- and medium-term health consequences from exposure to certain pollutants in the environment.

Pollutant

There are two categories of pollutants:
- Primary: pollutants emitted directly by human activity or nature (sulfur dioxide, for example);
- Secondary: a pollutant resulting from the chemical interaction between primary pollutants in the atmosphere (ozone, for example).

Primary energy

All energy non-transformed and directly exploited products, such as crude oil, natural gas, biomass, solar energy, hydropower, wind power, geothermal energy and nuclear energy.

Priority facilities

Facilities with the most sensitive environmental impacts for the Group.

Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

Recent form of contract in the United Kingdom, more flexible than public-private partnerships (PPP). It was developed by central Government, in consultation with the sector's stakeholders. PFIs allow broad contractual flexibility between the public and private partners, with the private partner assuming the majority of risks.

Public service concession

Method of operating public services or general interest services originating from public authorities and for the benefit of residents, who pay the price directly to the concession. The concession is responsible for operation of the service and, if applicable, for making some investments.

Public service outsourcing

Method for operating public services or services of a general interest, normally the responsibility of public authorities and of benefit to the local inhabitants who, in most cases, pay the service provider directly for the service. The service provider is responsible for the operation of the service and, when applicable, certain investments. Services operated in this way by Veolia mainly include household and non-hazardous waste collection, treatment and disposal; water distribution and wastewater treatment; energy production and distribution (heating and hot water); and public passenger transportation.

Public-private partnership

The abbreviation PPP also refers to a very wide variety of methods of production and management of infrastructures, facilities or public services. In terms of public service, the objective is a financing method by which a public authority calls upon private service providers to finance and manage facilities providing or contributing to public service. In return, the private partner receives payment from the public partner and / or users of the service that he manages. This financing method is present in many countries in various forms.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

PPPs are based on a contract tailored to each local situation under which the local authority outsources certain tasks to a contractor while also setting goals to be reached. The authorities determine the service objectives for the private operator while retaining ownership of the assets and regulatory powers, unlike privatization which entails the transfer of ownership of the structures. Local authorities are increasingly resorting to PPPs for the management of their water services.

Purchasing power parity (PPP)

Method used to produce a comparison of the purchasing power of national currencies in different countries. It consists of measuring the amount of goods and services that can be purchased using a currency (standard shopping basket of goods in the different compared countries).