Brochure Biodiversite en

SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
CONTRIBUTION
TO THE PRESERVATION
AND RESTORATION
OF BIODIVERSITY
CONTENTS
Prole

Interview with Jean-Louis Chaussade and
Bernard Guirkinger Protecting biodiversity is
a commitment for SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
1 / CHALLENGES AND POSITIONING ....................... 9

To preserve and restore biodiversity, a requirement
to sustain life
To preserve and restore biodiversity, mobilization and
collective responsibility
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, boosting environmental efforts

2 / ACTIONS FOR PRESERVATION,
RESTORATION AND AWARENESS ................... 16

Environmental assessment and monitoring

Actions compatible with soil and water natural
environments

Partnership with expert organizations
Awareness
3 / A COMMITTED SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT POLICY ....................................... 37
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY 3
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
CONTRIBUTION
TO THE PRESERVATION
AND RESTORATION
OF BIODIVERSITY
PROFIL
2.06 billion euros
CONTROLLING ALL WATER AND WASTE CYCLES
A global reference in the eld of environmental businesses, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT operates in all water
and waste cycles and works in both the public and private sectors. This total expertise means that it
has a comprehensive approach to its customers environmental problems and can develop effective
and creative synergies.
IN THE WATER SECTOR, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT operates mainly in:
>
the catchment, processing and distribution of potable water;
>
network maintenance and plant operation;
>
customer management;
>
collection and treatment of municipal and industrial waste water;
>
the design, construction, sometimes funding, and operation of plants for potable water production
and waste water treatment, as well as plants for desalination and water treatment for re-use;
>
studies, master plans, modeling of water tables and hydraulic ows, and direction of water
management infrastructure projects;
>
organic and energy recovery from sewage sludge.
IN THE WASTE SECTOR, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT operates mainly in:
>
waste collection (household, local authorities and industries; hazardous and non-hazardous,
with the exception of radioactive waste) and urban waste management;
>
sorting and pretreatment of these wastes;
>
recycling, material organic or energy recovery from the recoverable fractions, elimination
by incineration and landlling of the residual fractions;
>
integrated management of industrial sites (remedial work, decontamination and rehabilitation
of sites or polluted soils);
>
sludge treatment and recovery.
2009 TURNOVER
12
.
296 billion euros
65,900
employees
GROSS OPERATING INCOME 2009
90 million
people supplied
with drinking
water
58 million
people provided
with sanitation
services
46 million
people served
by waste
collection
T
he extinction of an endangered species is a
major loss to biodiversity. Widely publicized,
this concern should not overshadow
another emergency: the erosion of common living
organisms. Common plant and animal species which
are not endangered but are experiencing extremely
worrying losses, such as the bees or large marine
animals, individual numbers that continue to decline.
Yet this common biodiversity, less emotional but
more of daily concern, is quite simply indispensable
to life on Earth. Action is imperative and mobilization
at all levels is required. In order that good intentions
are acted upon, it is necessary to integrate the
preservation and restoration of biodiversity
systematically in public policies and business
strategies. This is neither illogical nor impossible.
Biodiversity and its associated ecological services
contribute directly, considerably and at no cost to
human activities. To take account of biodiversity
and devote real human, technological and nancial
effort to it must be understood as a vital investment.
Some companies have decided to go above and
beyond mere compliance with the regulations with
specic action plans and protection and restoration
measures related directly to their activity. In this
conguration, associations have an important role
to play. Environmental expertise developed over
many years should help the public and private
sectors to act and to act better. This collaboration
must be based on high ethical standards and
developed in the context of a dened exchange
of services. In this publication, you will nd examples
of partnerships between SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
and associations for specic goals such as
protecting a particular species. This is not
communication, but action. A route that is more
than promising and which is vital.
Enjoy reading.
Preface
Franois LETOURNEUX
President of the French Committee of the IUCN
INTERVIEW
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT IS COMMITTED TO BIODIVERSITY.
WHY?
Jean-Louis Chaussade: Protecting the diversity of living species is essential. We stem
from the organic tissue that makes Earth a unique planet, a place where we can live.
From a pragmatic standpoint, our survival as a species depends directly on our ability
to protect biodiversity in order that Nature can continue to provide us with vital natural
resources and services. From an ethical standpoint, our collective ability to protect the
variety of living species challenges our world view and our beliefs: Are we able to protect
life and to bequeath to future generations a planet that is still livable? For SUEZ
ENVIRONNEMENT, the answer is yes. Protection and restoration of biodiversity is the 6
th

commitment* of our sustainable development policy and we are implementing a
strategy to make a suitable contribution at our scale.
Bernard Guirkinger: Our Group has been involved in environmental protection for a
long time. Our jobs are on the front line every day to limit the impacts of human
activities. If the concept of biodiversity is relatively new, the approach to delivering high
quality water treatment and waste services to protect humans and the environment is
at the heart of our business. The development of advanced knowledge in environmental
businesses with the creation of new technologies and solutions is a pillar of the SUEZ
ENVIRONNEMENT strategy. Our teams work daily to run water and waste management
services in optimal conditions, to improve scientic knowledge in our businesses and
to develop ever more efcient technologies or solutions in order to reconcile human
activity and natural environments preservation.
The protection and restoration
of biodiversity is a commitment
for SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
Jean-Louis
Chaussade,
Chief Executive Ofcer
Bernard Guirkinger,
Executive Vice-president in
charge of Water Business
coordination, R&I, Sustainable
Development and Institutional
Relations.
* See Sustainable development policy, p. 40
INTERVIEW
ARE SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENTS CUSTOMERS SEEKING SOLUTIONS
TO PROTECT AND RESTORE BIODIVERSITY?
Jean-Louis Chaussade: Our customers have very high expectations on this subject, from
the local authorities who are the prime agents of sustainable development, as well as from
companies who feel very concerned. Our customers are aware of the leverage for
biodiversity that is represented by the water and waste businesses. They are asking us to
imagine solutions that enable them to act on several issues simultaneously: economic
efciency, the ght against climate change and protecting biodiversity and natural resources.
The Fontainebleau Avon Community of Districts chose membrane technology for its future
waste water treatment plant: this is not only an efcient decision economically, but also a
choice that will help to protect ecosystems through sanitation, because the water discharged
after treatment will be of high quality.
Bernard Guirkinger: Our customers are increasingly demanding an advanced consideration
of biodiversity in our businesses. We are currently engaged in a dynamic program of
research, innovation and development to provide them with solutions. One of our priorities
is to develop effective tools for measuring and monitoring biodiversity, a prerequisite for
action. One of our other approaches is designed to go beyond the limitation of impacts and
to propose solutions to restore biodiversity on degraded sites. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENTS
expertise in soil decontamination, protection of the water resource or the management of
wetlands will increasingly be mobilized to take action for biodiversity.
INTERVIEW
WHAT ARE SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENTS OTHER ACTIONS?
Jean-Louis Chaussade: Aware of the pressures our businesses place on
environments, we are committed to a demanding environmental approach and are
taking initiatives to reduce these pressures. These include among other things,
monitoring sites, especially sensitive sites, that we operate and implementing plans to
protect and restore biodiversity on them. Operational entities such as SITA France,
Lyonnaise des Eaux and Eurawasser among others are partnering with institutions and
associations that provide essential expertise needed to protect species and habitats
and develop effective action plans. Our commitment to this issue will intensify in the
years to come.
Bernard Guirkinger: As part of our sustainable development policy, the 6th
commitment we made deals with the consideration of biodiversity on our sensitive
sites. We are currently working to redene, clarify and reinforce our actions to make
them even more effective. We have gained signicant experience in recent years and
want to apply the best practices used on the ground to all companies in the Group.
Another facet of our actions in favor of biodiversity: our participation in public debate
with a strong mobilization of the Group on the occasion of the French Conference on
Biodiversity (May 2010), the Groups contribution to the European Commission
consultation on biodiversity strategy post-2010, a contribution to public awareness with
the establishment and funding of many educational programs, locally with Biodiversity
Trails, for example and also nationally with the short programs Biodiversity Heroes
broadcast on France 2.
9
CHALLENGES
AND POSITIONING
CHALLENGES AND POSITIONING
To preserve and restore biodiversity,
a requirement to sustain life
Along with the mobilization against climate
change, preserving biodiversity is a huge challenge
for all inhabitants of the planet. The variety of life
on Earth is one of its primary resources and the
ecosystem services provided by nature and its
diversity are vital to mankind. Yet biodiversity is
seriously threatened and the rate of extinctions of
living species of increasing concern. To act before
it is too late is imperative.
T
he term biodiversity, invented in the 80s and
popularized since refers to a reality as old as the
history of life on Earth: the variety of living organ-
isms and the interactions among living species. This vari-
ety is today seriously affected by human activities. The
consequence of a world population that has risen from 2.5
billion in 1950 to 6.7 billion today and growing urbaniza-
tion, 39% of plant and animal species are now considered
threatened
1
. In continental France, 486 species or subspe-
cies of plants are on borrowed time; 19% of vertebrates
have become extinct or are seriously threatened; 50% of
wetlands have been destroyed in recent decades
2
. The
main pressures on biodiversity are the destruction, frag-
mentation and alteration of habitats, pollution, introduc-
tion of non-indigenous species, and overexploitation of
species. They cover all environments, including the more
1/ The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, www.teebweb.org
2/ National biodiversity strategy: challenges, objectives, guidelines, French Literature, 2009
3/ Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Biodiversity:
Biodiversity means the variability
among living organisms from all
sources including, inter alia, terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems
and the ecological complexes of
which they are part: this includes
diversity within species, between
species and that of ecosystems.
3
ordinary nature. To these pressures is nally added the
issue of global warming. This phenomenon also affects
biodiversity by causing changes in particular areas to the
distribution of some species, changes in life cycles and
more widely by disrupting vital interactions within ecosys-
tems. Climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem serv-
ices are interacting: the ecosystem services provided by
biodiversity contribute to mitigation and adaptation to cli-
mate change and climate change contributes adversely to
the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
ESSENTIAL ECO-SYSTEMIC SERVICES
Biodiversity allows ecosystems to exist and to deliver vital
services to the entire world and especially human socie-
ties. It thus provides all the oxygen we breathe, and all the
food we eat. The importance of ecosystems is established
in the water cycle. It is also biodiversity that provides us
with the essential medicines we use today, the fibers
needed to get dressed or even a large majority of our
energy. The services that nature provides to mankind thus
relate to the provision of basic needs, regulations of natu-
ral phenomena, support to the previous services (water
cycle, etc.) or even cultural services. The list is endless and
the work undertaken to measure and quantify these serv-
ices in economic terms already speaks volumes for their
importance in the global economy. Biological loss is there-
fore costing 2,000 billion dollars per year, or 6% of the
worlds gross national product.
4
4/ The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity.
Eco-system service:
role played by organisms in the
functioning of ecosystems and which
creates conditions benecial to
Mankind: pollination, climate control,
water purication, etc.
To preserve and restore biodiversity,
mobilization and collective responsibility
Faced with threats to biodiversity, mobilization
has intensied in recent years. International aware-
ness has forced all stakeholders (governments,
communities, businesses, associations, scientic,
etc.) to commit to policies to protect biodiversity.
Major changes are yet to come.
I
n 2010, International Year of Biodiversity, the Con-
vention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is of particular
importance with a new 2011-2010 strategy and the
signature of an international agreement on Access and
Benet Sharing concerning biodiversity. It will be relayed
by the IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform
on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) platform. Like the
IPCC, this platform could become the international arbitra-
tor for studies on biodiversity and probably prescribe public
action policies.
In 2002, an ambitious target was set at the Convention on
Biological Diversity on the occasion of the 6
th
Conference
of the Convention (The Hague): signicantly reduce biodi-
versity loss between now and 2010, at global, regional and
national levels, to contribute to the eradication of poverty
and for the benet of all life on Earth. The European Union
meanwhile, in 2001 undertookan even more ambitious
commitment: to stop the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
The development of a green infrastructure as promoted
by the European Commission and France should promote
the connectivity of terrestrial and aquatic environments
and contribute to ecosystem resilience. The implementa-
tion of these objectives has, inter alia, found expression in
the following documents:
The European Directive on Environmental Liability of 21
April 2004 which covers serious damage to water, pro-
tected areas and species as dened in the Habitats and
Birds Directives, soils (if there is an impact on health) and
to ecosystem services.
The European Water Framework Directive (DCE) of 23
October 2000 which requires aquatic environments to
be restored to a satisfactory ecological status in 2015.
In France, the measures taken under the Grenelle environ-
mental round table and now the Grenelle 2
5
Act should
strengthen the biodiversity conservation system. Locally,
municipalities, under pressure from new responsibilities
for planning or awareness of public opinion and some
elected ofcials, are committing to territorial development
policies that incorporate biodiversity: regional develop-
ment plans, Local Agenda 21, etc.
5/ The Grenelle environmental round table covers in the main: new protected areas, including marine, acquisition of wetlands, the green and
blue belts, restoration of the ecological quality of water, improvement of knowledge and of expertise
The October 2010 Nagoya conference marked
a major step in mobilizing international action
for biodiversity.
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT,
boosting environmental
eforts
Through its business lines, SUEZ Environment has a
role to play in mobilizing to preserve biodiversity.
Water and waste treatment is an essential action
lever to protect the environment from human
activities.
S
UEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is an actor that pre-
serves biodiversity for communities and industry.
Water and waste treatment play an important
interface role between human activities and natural envi-
ronments. Improving the quality of services delivered by
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT in these areas means working for
the protection of biodiversity. Through Research and Inno-
vation, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is constantly improving
the processing technologies for treating various efuents
discharged into the environment, which insures their
good ecological state. Developing commercial offers to
support biodiversity policies, such as tools to identify the
impacts of public services on a community scale, is
another form of the Groups contribution in relation to its
activities. Through its EDELWAY label, SUEZ ENVIRONNE-
MENT can also take a contractual commitment of environ-
mental performance, allowing its customers to achieve
their own environmental objectives, including biodiversity
protection. Environment:
means the surroundings and conditions
in which a population of individuals from
a certain species can live.
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT IS COMMITTED TO
REDUCING THE IMPACT OF ITS ACTIVITIES
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is aware of the physical and
chemical impact of its activities on natural environments.
The footprint of its facilities and their impact on the pres-
ervation of habitats, liquid and gaseous discharges result-
ing from treatment methods or the management of
planted out areas are inherent impacts to the Groups
industrial activity.
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is thus committed to a voluntary
approach of impact reduction. The sustainable develop-
ment policy already takes into account this objective sup-
ported by monitoring indicators (examples: the number of
sensitive sites inventoried and the number of action plans
adopted and implemented, etc.). SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENTs
operating entities are in the front line and have developed
initiatives adapted to their businesses and local realities.
2010 is marked by a process of reection in order to rethink
the Groups biodiversity indicators and targets.
ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES:
BETTER TREATMENT
OF ALL WATER
To cope with damage to water resources and meet
higher standards for environmental protection,
research on ultraltration membranes began in
1985 at Lyonnaise des Eaux. In 1988, the municipality
of Moncourt was the rst in the world to have a
potable water plant using this technology and
in 1992, ultraltration diaphragms received the
approval of the Ministry of Health for clarication
and water disinfection.
This technology, developed at CIRSEE (SUEZ
ENVIRONNEMENTS Research Centre) and today
marketed by Aquasource Degremont, required over 30
million euros of investment. This method does not use
any chemicals and therefore respects the environment.
Since its inception, nearly 200 plants in France and
worldwide produce more than one million cubic meters
of ultra-ltered drinking water each day.
Today, the association of ultraltration membranes with
osmosis or nano-ltration membranes has extended
the application to the pre-treatment of sea water
or brackish water, as well as waste water treatment
- a major technological revolution which provides even
more effective treatment solutions to preserve aquatic
environments.
Changes to European legislation have led the Group to
rethink the definition of the indicators it used to take
account of biodiversity in its various businesses. Besides,
feedback from many actions taken by SUEZ ENVIRONNE-
MENT for biodiversity emphasizes the variability of the
steps taken (local context, heterogeneity of diagnostic
methods, necessary adaptability to the expansion of pro-
tected areas, etc.). In this context, the objectives related to
the integration of biodiversity in site management should
evolve in order to show more clearly how the measures
implemented are relevant with regards to the specific
characteristics of the environment, to promote this
measures on the long run, and to report at best on the
Groups progresses on its environmental performance on
these complex issues. In addition, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
will integrate its sites in the green and blue belts so as to
contribute to the ecological continuity of the territory.
INTEGRATION OF THE LYONNAISE DES EAUX SITES
IN THE GREEN AND BLUE BELTS
In June 2010, the four entities of Lyonnaise des Eaux
signed the Biodiversity and Natural Environments
Charter for the le-de-France region.
Objective: to share expertise, coordinate actions over
the entire territory in order to be a recognized actor
in the consideration of biodiversity in different regional
policies or development areas. In this context,
integration of sites in the Green and Blue Belt is
a priority.
Through fauna/ora inventory actions, differentiated
management of green spaces, creation of diversied
habitats promoting colonization of sometimes
threatened species and ecological restoration actions,
Lyonnaise des Eaux made its sites islands of biodiversity.
Especially in urban areas, the difculty lies in
interconnecting natural areas: restoration of ecological
corridors is a major challenge. To reduce fragmentation
of habitats, to facilitate adaptation to climate change
through correct working of ecosystems and
to promote a good ecological state of water resources
will only be achievable through setting up the Green
and Blue belts. Lyonnaise des Eaux is today
collaborating with departmental Sensitive Natural
Areas services to ensure consistency of differentiated
management practices for green spaces within
the territory.
With NATUREPARIF (Regional Agency for Nature and
Biodiversity in le-de-France), a place for exchange and
consolidation of knowledge that brings together all the
parties within the territory (companies, associations,
local authorities, government, etc.), Lyonnaise des Eaux
inscribes its actions in urban planning documents
(SCOT, PLU) and in the future Ecology Consistency
Regional Plan. It is through this shared vision that
Lyonnaise des Eaux is implementing in le de France
a shared strategy for biodiversity preservation.
BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLANS
COVERING SITA FRANCES
LANDFILLS
With more than 700 waste treatment facilities,
including 170 landlls in operation and closed,
SITA France manages a large non-urban area.
These facilities represent, during and after their
operation, a real opportunity for recovery of high
quality natural environments, especially in
agricultural or built-up areas. In addition, certain
technical facilities of these sites, ponds, ditches,
fences, can be colonized by fauna and ora.
Being Installations Classied for the Protection
of the Environment (ICPE), the landlls are
always subjected to an impact study. This study,
prior to any opening and expansion, specically
determines the challenges in terms of preserving
biodiversity. SITA France has decided to go
beyond the regulatory requirements for
protection of biodiversity, whether ordinary or
remarkable. Therefore, since 2005, the
subsidiary, through its roadmap for Sustainable
Development, is committed to integrating and
recovering local biodiversity throughout the life
of its sites. This commitment applies to all waste
treatment facilities.
For the past ve years, management plans for
biodiversity have been developed with experts
and deployed on SITA Frances non-hazardous
waste facilities.
Ecosystem: a community of living
beings and their environment.
The elements constituting an
ecosystem develop a network
for exchanging energy and matter
for the maintenance and the
development of life.
ACTIONS
PRESERVATION,
RESTORATION
AND AWARENESS
ACTIONS
PRESERVATION, RESTORATION AND AWARENESS ACTIONS
S
UEZ ENVIRONNEMENTs commitment to biodiversity is
reected in the development of a range of ever more
effective solutions for treating water and waste,
as well as by the introduction of measures to reduce the
impact of the Groups industrial activity. The Groups initiatives for
biodiversity are developed for the natural environment, water and soil,
through partnerships formed with specialized institutions and
associations. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is also joining forces to develop
a high performance assessment and measuring tools as well
as raising awareness.
Assessment and monitoring
of environments
Action for biodiversity is inconceivable without
the means of measurement and evaluation
adapted to the different environments. SUEZ
ENVIRONNEMENT develops and uses tools,
methodologies and technologies that enable
the Group and its clients to work for biodiversity
under the best possible conditions, in particular
to measure progress accurately.
CITYBIOSE
: TO ASSESS IN ORDER
TO DECIDE
Local authorities increasingly need measurement and
decision support tools to quantify the environmental
impacts of their services. City-Biose
has been specially

developed by Safege to meet these needs. This is the
rst tool for assessing and visualizing the environmental
performance of key services in a local authority: drink-
ing water, waste water, waste management, energy for
public buildings, public lighting and public transport.
Easy to use, this tool is provided with an intuitive Web
interface. 12 quantitative indicators per service (drinking
and waste water, etc.) assess impacts accurately. First
and foremost, it is a tool for support in decision-making
and monitoring of environmental results, as well as an
essential support for dialogue in the process of good
governance by local authorities.
CONDUCTING FAUNA/FLORA STUDIES
The consideration of biodiversity requires a good under-
standing of ecological issues. The quality of the various
fauna and ora studies conducted before, during or after
the period of use is the guarantee of this. These studies,
with various objectives depending on the site operation
phase, are controlled by the operational managers of SITA
Frances sites with consultancies specializing in ecology.
The SITA France methodological guide, produced in partner-
ship with the Ecosphere consultancy, gives line managers
the tools necessary to understand the different types of
fauna/ora studies and the content and level of the deliv-
erables required. This guide also provides the environ-
mental scientists in the consultancies with a specication
corresponding to each type of study. This ensures a high
quality standard and guarantees consistency in the inte-
gration of biodiversity into site management.
SITA Frances operational managers received the guide in
January 2009 and are given training in its use.
AMPERES: TO EVALUATE THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF WATER TREATMENT
ON NEW POLLUTANTS
Waste water treatment is a major issue for preserving bio-
diversity in aquatic environments. Micropollutants, PCBs,
heavy metals, medical waste, nanoparticles are just some
of the substances present in our waste water. Industrial
and technological advances are adapting water treatment
methods to prevent these particles from reaching the
aquatic environments, watercourses and rivers and thus
affecting the fauna and ora.
A number of substances deemed priority will be subject
to an appropriate treatment in waste water treatment
plants by the end of 2015. After more than 4 years of
research on 21 sewage treatment plants representative of
French facilities, the AMPERES research program con-
ducted by SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT in partnership with
Cemagref delivered its rst results in 2010. The research
focused on the identication of micropollutants and the
efcacy of treatment on existing stations and studied the
most promising treatment techniques. As an integral part
of the water resource protection cycle, water treatment
plants must be able to treat micropollutants present in
waste water, even at low concentrations. After more than
2,000 samples and 5,000 analyses, the rst conclusions
appear to be reassuring for the treatment of priority sub-
stances dened by the EU Framework Directive. Although
they were designed to treat nitrogen, phosphorus and
carbon, in accordance with European regulations, sewage
treatment plants already remove a major part of the prior-
ity substances, stopping up to 85% of these molecules.
With conventional treatments (secondary), existing waste
water treatment plants may contribute to achieving the
European objectives for 2015 of good ecological and
chemical status of water bodies in France.
MODELING AND MAPPING THE MARINE
ENVIRONMENT
Knowledge of the benthic littoral populations represents a
fundamental tool for the conservation of biodiversity and
its inclusion in the management of coastal areas. A Safege
subsidiary specializing in oceanography, Actimar uses
state of the art technology to map marine communities
and coral reefs at very high resolution from aircraft
equipped with sensors (Reunion Island, Mayotte, etc.).
Furthermore, its expertise with high tech tools for hydro-
dynamic, hydro-sediment and water quality modeling also
allows Safege to provide products that can be used
directly by marine professionals, users and local decision
makers. In partnership with Actimar, Safege has devel-
oped Qualicte
, the rst European tool capable of cou-

pling models of all kinds (meteorological, hydrological,
hydraulic and currents), rainfall radar data to predict rain,
winds, currents, and possible pollution in coastal areas
CONTINUOUS MONITORING
OF AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS
Lyonnaise des Eaux has developed Sirne, a high perform-
ance and economic monitoring system for aquatic envi-
ronments. This system was set up in early 2008 on the
Thau pond, the largest lagoon in Languedoc-Roussillon,
classied as a Natura 2000 area and presenting an excep-
tional biological richness. Six Sirne continuous measure-
ment stations were positioned at strategic locations in the
pond. Energetically self-sufcient and equipped with meas-
urement probes, these stations continuously record the
temperature, salinity, oxygen and turbidity parameters. A
software centralizes all data: their monitoring will not only
provide knowledge of the impact of various events such as
rainfalls or exchanges with the sea in the environments and
thus preserve biodiversity, but also guide public investment
policies, justify expenditure and measure the environmen-
tal benets of the investments made.
that could be harmful to the marine ecosystems con-
cerned. A web interface available to everyone thus pro-
vides all the information necessary for good management
of networks by the operator, and unparalleled information
on each beaches (waves, current, water temperature,
wind, expected rainfall, and possible health risks if any,
etc.). The Qualicte
package was launched in 2009 and

used successfully throughout the bay of Cannes.
PRESERVATION, RESTORATION
AND AWARENESS ACTIONS
ECOLOGICAL QUALITY INDICATOR:
MEASURING BIODIVERSITY
Landlls, given their large areas (up to 100 hectares) and
their environmental monitoring over several decades,
are significant opportunities for the use of innovative
management techniques to protect biodiversity. Since
2007, SITA France, a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT,
has called on the Natural Heritage Department of the
National Museum of Natural History, an internationally-
recognized biodiversity expert, to support its action in
favor of biodiversity. To overcome the lack of biodiversity
management performance indicators, SITA France and
the MNHN have developed the Ecological Quality Indica-
tor (EQI) This tool assesses the biodiversity present in
landlls, identies areas for improvement based on local
issues and monitors the effectiveness of the measures
used. This innovative tool, also adaptable to other industrial
facilities, has been the subject of scientic publications.
Implementation of the management and planning recom-
mendations in the le-de-France region generated an
overall improvement of the ecological quality of sites, as
highlighted in 2009 following a second assessment by
the EQI.
Actions adapted to the natural water
and soil environments
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is already involved in
many actions to protect and restore biodiversity.
To minimize the impacts associated with the
operation of our facilities, implement solutions
for conservation of species or even propose
responses that put biodiversity at the heart of
the contractual process, the initiatives taken by
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT concern both soils and
aquatic environments.
ZONE LIBELLULE,
AN INNOVATION IN THE SERVICE
OF BIODIVERSITY
Several studies have demonstrated that natural environ-
ments have decontaminating qualities. Based on this
observation, Lyonnaise des Eaux decided to develop an
original additional treatment with the design of a biological
freedom area to ght against emerging pollutants called
Zone Libellule. Its objectives, to process water dis-
charged from sewage plants and ght effectively against
emerging pollutants which may escape the conventional
treatment while enhancing local biodiversity. The Zone
Libellule set up at Saint-Just recreates a succession of
different natural environments: a phytoplankton pond, a
reed bed, meanders, a delta, a free area, a wet meadow
or even an alluvial zone. The meanders and the delta will
increase the contact of water with the banks where
rushes, sedges or watercress grow in abundance. The
water takes about ten days to cross the Zone Libellule,
before nally being returned to the natural watercourse,
free of many pollutants.
The Zone Libellule is being trialed in Saint-Just, in Hrault.
Rigorous scientic monitoring takes place, with frequent
input and output measurements in order to assess over
three years the effective pollution removal capabilities of
this 1.5ha area. Another objective is to monitor the devel-
opment of biodiversity and supervise the development of
this open-air laboratory with an assessment of mainte-
nance needs over the long term.
Endemic:
means a species which is only present
in a specic territory.
WATER
NEW APPROACH FOR MANAGING
THE FLAMMERANS PONDS
Flammerans is a groundwater catchment area covering
55 hectares, which helps to supply water for the Greater
Dijon area. Lyonnaise des Eaux, a subsidiary of SUEZ
ENVIRONNEMENT and the site manager, chose to
change its maintenance practices to promote the re-
introduction of biodiversity by recreating a wetland.
700m
2
of ponds have been rehabilitated to allow the
return of biodiversity. Differentiated management of
the grasslands has been instituted and the planting of
7km of hedgerows has helped to restore a habitat for
birds. These ponds are also remarkable because it is
the last nesting site in Burgundy of the corncrake. Com-
missioned by Lyonnaise des Eaux, the Conservatoire
des Sites Naturels Bourguignons [Conservatory of Natu-
ral Sites in Burgundy] conducted the diagnostic of the
site and will monitor its colonization until 2015. Since
2007, the result has already been favorable: doubling
the number of dragonies, recolonization of the ponds
by vertebrate amphibians.
WATER
EXEMPLARY WATER TREATMENT
PLANT AT FONTAINEBLEAU
As part of an overall bringing into compliance of the waste
water system for the Community of Fontainebleau Avon
Districts (CCFA) and compliance with the European direc-
tive on urban wastewater, the CCFA wanted a sewage
plant that was above criticism in every respect: techno-
logical, architectural, and environmental. The community
has chosen Degrmont to design and build the future
plant that will integrate protection of biodiversity through
the creation of an ecological area dedicated to the local
wildlife and ora. The membrane technology chosen will
discharge and even reuse as necessary water with quality
near to bathing water, greatly reducing the impact of the
urbanization on aquatic environments. Work on site
began in early 2010, for commissioning in 2011. Compact,
the plant will also be designed to avoid odor and noise
pollution for the residents. It will have a peak capacity of
60,000 population equivalent, with a daily flow of
24,000m
3
/day.
CONTROL OF INVASIVE PLANT
SPECIES IN NEW JERSEY (USA)
Natural areas managed by United Water in New Jersey
have in recent years been invaded by exogenous plant
species that threaten local biodiversity. The Trapa natans
and Persicaria perfoliata, very invasive grasses, have
gradually developed, ending up harming the native plants,
stiing their habitat and hindering their development. In
2009, United Water has used ladybugs, very fond of the
invasive weed, to neutralize it. The results given by this
method and its consequences will be monitored in the
coming years. Regarding water chestnuts, the subsidiary
of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has opted for a mechanical
recovery which started in 2010.
SOIL SOIL
Invasive species: an invasive species
is an exotic living species that can
upset the balance of an ecosystem
into which it has been introduced.
Biological invasion phenomena are
now considered by the UN as a major
cause of biodiversity loss.
ACTIONS DE PRSERVATION, RESTAURATION ET SENSIBILISATION
SLUDGE FROM TREATMENT PLANTS
TO HELP REPLANT A FORMER MINE
IN THE OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
In New Caledonia, the Caldonienne des Eaux, a subsidi-
ary of Lyonnaise des Eaux, has used sludge from treatment
plants to help revegetate the 200ha of land occupied by
a former mine. These sludges are a good quality fertilizer
that has enabled the planting of endemic species. With
this input, endemic species have been replanted. Planta-
tions are exhibiting accelerated growth. This plantation is
being monitored through a partnership with the Univer-
sity of New Caledonia. In 2009, the INRA published the
results of silvicultural monitoring attesting to the success
of the approach.
Habitat: environment in which an
organism can live normally, and which
provides enough support for its needs.
SOIL
RESTORING SOIL DEGRADED
BY INDUSTRY
In 2009, SITA Remediation was awarded one of the largest
contracts in Europe for the decontamination and rehabili-
tation of polluted soil on the former industrial complex
called The Avenue at Chestereld in the United King-
dom. This site covers 98 hectares and was formerly used
by heavy industry. First dedicated to mining coal, it was
then used by the chemical industry until 1992. The cleanup
stages began in September 2009 and will take 5 years until
nal conversion of the site in 2014. The industrial complex
of The Avenue will become a reinstated site and will
change from Browneld to Greeneld status! This rein-
statement of the site will create ecological spaces and
protect the sites fauna and ora. Expert geologists have
earmarked areas to protect animals such as salamanders
and reptiles, and landscapes including wetlands, forests,
rivers etc.
SOIL
To protect biodiversity, it is essential to mobilize
recognized expertise in order to conduct under the
best possible conditions initiatives directed at
conservation of species and ecosystems, as well as
assessing and monitoring biodiversity. SUEZ ENVI-
RONNEMENT is involved in a partnership approach
with recognized agencies and associations.
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LYONNAISE
DES EAUX AND FRANCE NATURE
ENVIRONNEMENT
France Nature Environnement (FNE) has been a recog-
nized federation of public interest since 1976, bringing
together nearly 3,000 associations working for the protec-
tion of the environment. For 40 years, FNE has been carry-
ing out its work under the aegis of voluntary managers
elected by the associations. The federations political orien-
tations meet only a single concern: protection of nature
and the environment which is consistent with defending
the public interest.
In the water sector, FNE keeps well abreast of public deci-
sions and policies in order to protect and preserve water
resources and aquatic environments.
Lyonnaise des Eaux renewed its partnership with FNE in
2009 for a period of 3 years, focusing on sustainable water
management. The purpose of this partnership is to:
create a methodological guide for environmental protec-
tion associations; this guide will allow them to take
action to preserve water resources and aquatic environ-
ments in the potable water catchment areas.
exchange information on issues related to the future of
water as part of think tanks established by Lyonnaise
des Eaux (FNE is the voice of associations within the
Forum des Ides Neuves sur leau et du Club Eau +);
make the general public and those in education aware
of water resource and biodiversity preservation;
educate employees of Lyonnaise des Eaux in the issues
of the great water cycle and biodiversity
promote actions to preserve environments, habitats and
species on Lyonnaise des Eaux sites.
Partnership with expert organizations
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SITA FRANCE
AND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL
HISTORY
In 2007, SITA France formed a partnership with the Natural
Heritage Service of the National Museum of Natural His-
tory, a benchmark institution for biodiversity, commis-
sioned by the Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable
Development and the Sea (MEEDDM) to validate and
update national inventories of fauna and ora, and their
habitats. In May 2008 a partnership agreement was signed
between the MNHN, SITA France and SITA Ile de France.
The objective of this collaboration is to provide areas for
discussion, recommendations and tools for management
and development of SITA Frances landfills in order to
improve their ability to support fauna and ora. During the
spring and summer of 2008, the rst step was to assess
the biodiversity inherent to the landills, little studied today
outside the framework of impact studies. This eld cam-
paign was conducted on 17 SITA France sites by an expert
naturalist, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of
Natural Heritage. The results compared the biodiversity of
the sites with that of the surrounding ecosystems, and
thus obtained an assessment of the ecological value of
SITA Frances real estate. In 2010, the results of these
studies, combined with feedback from developments
carried out have fueled the creation of a technical guide
for the ecological redevelopment of the landlls.
SITA TRUST PARTNERSHIPS:
FINANCING OF BIODIVERSITY PROJECTS
(UK)
Formed in 1997, SITA Trust is a fund of SITA UK, a subsidi-
ary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT which specializes in waste
management in the United Kingdom. The fund supports
environmental and social initiatives in communities bor-
dering SITA UK sites. In 2005, SITA Trust launched a sup-
port program dedicated entirely to nancing biodiversity
projects under the United Kingdoms biodiversity action
plan. Funded projects meet all the stipulated conditions,
including proving their ability to achieve signicant goals
protecting biodiversity in line with the United Kingdoms
national action plan.
Biotope: a specic natural
environment ofering a plant and
animal population relatively stable
habitat conditions.
To evaluate the projects presented, panels of experts
were mobilized to ensure optimum use of funds. In 2010,
the success of the operations nanced since 2005 with
initial funding of 13.5 million led SITA Trust to announce
further funding to continue the funds activity until 2012.
The many projects funded since 2005 have focused both
on the preservation of habitats and that of specifically
threatened species. SITA Trust has hence funded 16
projects to protect endangered species of buttery with a
total funding of over 700,000. With encouraging results,
these projects have experimented with many buttery
conservation techniques. Essential accumulated experi-
ence needed to protect butteries over the long term in
the UK, where they are among the most endangered
species.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL
CONSERVATORY OF GUADELOUPE
TO REINTRODUCE THE MANATEE
In October 2009, the Guadeloupe National Park and SITA
Esprance, which operates the Sainte-Rose non-hazardous
landll, signed a partnership agreement for the proposed
reintroduction of the manatee in the Grand Cul-de-Sac
Marin. The manatee is a symbol for endangered species
worldwide. The project is as important as that of the mana-
tees reintroduction in Guadeloupe, which could attract the
attention of the international scientic community. This is a
unique opportunity to make the marine Grand Cul-de-Sac
Bay a globally recognized site. A successful collaboration
between the Guadeloupe National Park and SITA will
improve the chances of success of this operation.
Ecology: the science of relationships
of living beings (animals, plants,
microorganisms) with their
environment and with other living
beings.
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SITA FRANCE
AND THE LPO TO PRESERVE THE RED KITE
AND THE SHRIKES
Since October 2008, in collaboration with the League for
the Protection of Birds (LPO), SITA France has participated
in the national plan to restore the red kite (Milvus milvus),
a symbolic endangered species. A bird of prey, the red kite
has long found a source of food in the waste produced by
mankind. The disappearance of open dumps, banned
since July 2002 has signicantly reduced the potential food
supply for this species.
Through sponsorship, SITA France supports the National
Red Kite Restoration Plan, with which the LPO has been
tasked by the MEEDM. The purpose of this collaboration is
to establish feeding stations for the red kite on landlls.
These are constructed by SITA France, in close collabora-
tion with the LPOs local experts, who choose the location
of these facilities to ensure their effectiveness. Three feed-
ing stations are now operational and functional in SITA
France landlls, and form a means for experimenting with
this method of feeding the red kite. Awareness campaigns
for the protection of the species will also be conducted by
the LPO to alert landll staff and visitors to this program.
In 2010 SITA France has committed to a new sponsorship
agreement for the red kite and the shrikes. The protection
system deployed will be based on creating welcoming
habitats for these species, as well as monitoring of the
different species of shrike.
Green Belt: The Green Belt was
dened at the Grenelle round table
on the environment as a territory
development tool, consisting of large
natural areas with corridors connecting
them, or acting as bufer zones.
It is complemented by a Blue Belt,
formed by rivers and water bodies and
planted strips spread out along these
watercourses and bodies of water.
The objective of the Green and Blue
Belts is to ensure biological continuity
between large natural spaces and
aquatic environments and in particular
to allow movement of wildlife.
GREEN BELT: TO RAISE PUBLIC
AWARENESS WHILE PROTECTING
A WETLAND AREA
Since June 2006, on the groundwater catchment area
covering 45 hectares on the Pecq Croissy protection site,
located in the Yvelines department in France, Lyonnaise
des Eaux has opened a trail along the Seine dedicated to
teaching the biodiversity of wetlands and raising public
awareness. In partnership with the League for the Pro-
tection of Birds, Lyonnaise des Eaux has carried out the
following developments:
26 nest boxes suitable for different species
2 pyres of dead wood to house the various species that
colonize this type of habitat
Creating islands on sandbanks to protect birds from
predators
Construction of a breeding dyke for swallows in order
to protect nests from oods
Differentiated management of grasslands to enhance
biodiversity
Awareness
PRESERVATION, RESTORATION
AND AWARENESS ACTIONS
BIODIVERSITY PATHS: EXPLORING
THE BIODIVERSITY ON WASTE STORAGE
FACILITIES
To mark the International Year of Biodiversity, SITA France
has launched the Biodiversity Paths program and opened
the doors of its non-hazardous landlls.
Biodiversity Paths is a program to raise awareness for all
audiences - individuals, residents, those in education,
professionals - to biodiversity in general, as well as to
opportunities to win back nature, that responsibly-man-
aged industrial sites may offer. These Biodiversity Paths
help to see and understand the consideration of biodiver-
sity in the waste treatment cycle at SITA France. In 2010,
nine Biodiversity Paths have been designed on the same
number of landlls in operation in France.
A COMMITTED
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Sustainable development policies are governance tools in
their own right. Real strategic plans, they also become a
means of communication essential to position the com-
pany on growth markets and provide stakeholders with
extra-nancial indicators for assessing overall perform-
ance. In 2008, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT formulated its
sustainable development policy, based on work carried
out over a number of years. Today, the Groups sustaina-
ble development policy is focused on the businesses of
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, its employees and its stake-
holders. Commitments were dened realistically, always
accompanied by quantied progress targets and precise
monitoring
6
indicators.
6/ For a detailed presentation of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENTs sustainable development policy, its priorities, commitments, targets and indicators,
see the document Sustainable Development: 2009 Commitments and Performances, for download from the Groups website.
A COMMITTED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY
CONSERVE RESOURCES
AND ENGAGE IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Optimise waste recycling and recovery rates.

Increase the yield of drinking water networks.
1
2
EMPOWER OUR EMPLOYEES
AS ACTORS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Foster professional knowledge.

Improve health and safety in the workplace.

Support diversity.
3
BUILD OUR DEVELOPMENT
WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS

Maintain an active dialog with our stakeholders.

Be a key actor of local sustainable development.

Provide regular and easily accessible information about
our sustainable development actions.
4
4 PRIORITIES
FOR 12 COMMITMENTS
INNOVATE TO RESPOND
TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Improve energy efciency through all operations.

Increase and promote renewable energy generation.

Incorporate biodiversity in site management.
40 SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY
DESIGN, CREATION AND PRODUCTION
LES DITIONS STRATGIQUES
EDITORIAL
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT - ARCHTYPE
COLLABORATION WITH THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT, THE RESEARCH OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
AND THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT,
LYONNAISE DES EAUX, SITA FRANCE, DEGRMONT, SAFEGE
PHOTO CREDIT
MNHN: PHILIPPE GOURDAIN, SEBASTIEN SIBLET
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: RONALD WITTEK, JOE
PETERSBURGER
GETTY IMAGES: WILD PICS, SAMI SARKIS,
WATARU YANAGIDA
CORBIS: KEREN SU, MICHAEL CALLAN, HUGH WHITAKER,
LELAND BOBB - SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT AND X
November 2010 Printed on layered paper certied by the
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC ). It is manufactured in plants
certied to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 (environment). This paper
consists of 60% recycled and 40% FSC virgin ber.
This document was printed with solvent-free mineral inks,
by a printer who has gained the ImprimVert mark.
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
TOUR CB 21 - 16, PLACE DE LIRIS
92040 PARIS LA DFENSE CEDEX - FRANCE
TEL +33(0)1 58 81 20 00 W
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