VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT : COP21: Antoine Frérot is one of the 65 CEOs who have undertaken to promote the transition to a low carbon economy
November 23, 2015 at 10:46 am EST
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Meeting at the instigation of the World Economic Forum(1) a few days prior to COP 21, the CEOs of 65 major international groups - collectively representing 1.8 trillion euros in revenue - called on world leaders to come to an ambitious climate agreement. They reaffirmed their mobilization and commitment to promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy that will create jobs and growth in both developed and emerging economies. Veolia CEO Antoine Frérot is one of the signatories to the statement.
In an
open letter
to governments around the world, these leaders, who represent Brazilian, Chinese, European, Indian and American multinationals from all sectors of the economy, undertake to work together to design and deploy solutions that will drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
These CEOs are already very committed to reducing the environmental and carbon footprints of their businesses. They are now inviting the heads of state and government that will be meeting in Paris to encourage the implementation of the following measures:
the introduction of explicit or implicit carbon pricing to trigger investment in low-carbon solutions
strong support for innovations that will promote alternative and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and bring an end to deforestation,
extend the battle against climate change, with greater transparency in relation to the risks and with projects that will improve funding for low-carbon projects such as green bonds,
the establishment in all states of rigorous national and global goals for both reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and developing alternative energy sources.
The open letter was widely welcomed.
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said 'climate action represents a massive economic opportunity,' adding: 'It is the first intentionally directed industrial revolution and will be the source of new jobs and strong growth for the coming decades.'
Al Gore, Vice-President of the United States (1993-2001) and Member of the World Economic Forum Foundation Board, also welcomed the pledge and said: 'To change the course of history and set us on a path towards sustainable growth, we need more businesses like these to engage and to lead the global transformation to low- carbon economies.'
Veolia Environnement is the world leader in environmental management services. Net sales break down by activity as follows:
- water-related services (40.6%; No. 1 worldwide): water resources management, drinking water distribution and delivery, wastewater collection, treatment and recovery, engineering, design, construction of water treatment facilities and customer relationship management, etc.;
- waste management services (32.4%; no. 1 worldwide): collection, treatment and recycling of liquid, solid, non-hazardous and hazardous waste, waste treatment and recovery through composting, energy recovery from waste, etc. Veolia Environnement also provides urban waste management services (maintenance and cleaning of public spaces, provision of mechanized street cleaning and façade treatment services), maintenance of industrial sites, and dismantling of industrial facilities and equipment at the end of their useful life;
- energy services (27%; No. 1 in Europe): delegated management of urban heating and air conditioning networks, management of thermal and multi-technique services (operation of heating systems, facility design, construction, and maintenance, etc.) and industrial services (industrial process analysis, production equipment operation, service, and maintenance), general management of buildings and public lighting.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: France (21.5%), Europe (41.9%), North America (7.4%), Asia (5.6%), Africa and the Middle East (4.9%), Pacific (4.3%), Latin America (4%) and other (10.4%).
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