Managing environmental performance

⁽¹⁾ For more information about the definition of the indicator, refer to p.18.

⁽²⁾ The 2011 values are pro forma compared with a 2008 geographic base scope representing 84% of the fleet of heavy road vehicles (excluding electric vehicles).

In 2011, the percentage implementation of the Environmental Management System (internal EMS and ISO 14001 certifications) increased by 4 percentage points to 85% as a result of improvements in each of the four divisions.

An environmental evaluation was made of 92% of the total 1,517 priority facilities over the past five years (representing an increase of 7 points regarding 2010). This reflects a plain increased audit effort by all divisions in 2011 (+21%).

This evaluation is, within the context of the EMS, an assessment of the regulatory compliance with the applicable environmental texts.

In 2011, direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) decreased 5% at the corporate level to 45 million metric tons of CO2 eq. This is due to the sharp 8% reduction in direct emissions that account for more than 85% of Veolia Environnement's emissions.

In addition, the company contributes to an overall reduction of GHG emissions by reducing emissions from facilities managed or allowing third parties to avoid emissions.

In 2011, the overall GHG emission reduction indicator fell by 3.7% at the corporate level to 26.5 million metric tons CO₂ eq. This corresponds to reductions in direct and indirect emissions (CO₂ not emitted as a result of certain operating methods implemented by the company), and the emissions third parties avoid as a result of a company activity.

In 2011, fugitive methane emissions accounted for nearly 24% of Veolia Environnement's direct GHG emissions. Given this significant percentage, Veolia Environnement is motivated to continually improve:

• the precision of its calculation methodologies;
• knowledge of the typology of landfilled waste;
• the performance of landfill cell capping techniques, biogas collection and its conversion into heat, electricity or fuel.

These factors combined have led to a significant 7% drop in methane emissions, and so to a two-point improvement in the collection rate to 56% in 2011.

As part of the campaign to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, Veolia Environnement is committed to accurately defining its impact and dependency on ecosystems, acting to preserve biodiversity, and making wise use of "ecosystem services" while informing, training and educating people on these issues.

In 2011, material recovery fell by 6% due to the sale of business in Norway. However, at a constant scope, material recovery actually increased by 2.4 points. On the other hand, energy recovery at landfills and incinerators rose 1.5 and 0.8 points respectively. Consequently, the percentage of treated waste disposed of (2) without energy or material recovery fell in 2011 to 51.5%, which is compliant with the target.

Veolia Environnement is committed to improving energy efficiency, not just in the facilities it operates, but also through the energy services it provides. Wherever possible, it also promotes the use of renewable and alternative energy, in accordance with the targets it has set, and makes every effort to recover the maximum energy potential from waste, wastewater to be treated or from the facilities it operates.

In many cities around the world, 20% to 50% of the water produced is lost because of distribution network leaks. Veolia Water has made leak reduction one of its main priorities.

The presentation of the 2009 to 2011 results on the basis of the active contracts in 2008 provides an appreciation of the efforts made. For example, the overall network yield has been maintained at 77%, the linear index at a little over 13 m3/km/d and the loss target set at 1,615,000 m3 has been met (5% reduction in the volume of losses compared with the 2008 reporting scope).