Brochure Biodiversite En

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SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENTCONTRIBUTIONTO THE PRESERVATIONAND RESTORATIONOF BIODIVERSITY



CONTENTS

• Profile• Interview with Jean-Louis Chaussade and

Bernard Guirkinger “Protecting biodiversity isa 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 SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT POLICY ....................................... 37



SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY 3

SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENTCONTRIBUTIONTO THE PRESERVATIONAND RESTORATION

OF BIODIVERSITY



PROFIL

2.06 billion euros

CONTROLLING ALL WATER AND WASTE CYCLESA global reference in the field of environmental businesses, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT operates in all waterand waste cycles and works in both the public and private sectors. This total expertise means that ithas a comprehensive approach to its customers’ environmental problems and can develop effectiveand 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 productionand waste water treatment, as well as plants for desalination and water treatment for re-use;

> studies, master plans, modeling of water tables and hydraulic flows, and direction of watermanagement 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, eliminationby incineration and landfilling of the residual fractions;

> integrated management of industrial sites (remedial work, decontamination and rehabilitationof sites or polluted soils);

> sludge treatment and recovery.

2009 TURNOVER

12.296 billion euros

65,900employees

GROSS OPERATING INCOME 2009

90 millionpeople supplied

with drinkingwater

58 millionpeople provided

with sanitationservices

46 millionpeople served

by wastecollection




T

he extinction of an endangered species is a

major loss to biodiversity. Widely publicized,

this concern should not overshadowanother 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 financial

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

specific action plans and protection and restoration

measures related directly to their activity. In thisconfiguration, 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 defined exchange

of services. In this publication, you will find examples

of partnerships between SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT

and associations for specific 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

François LETOURNEUX

President of the French Committee of the IUCN



SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY6

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 naturalresources 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 6th

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 scientific knowledge in our businesses and

to develop ever more efficient technologies or solutions in order to reconcile human

activity and natural environments preservation.

“The protection and restorationof biodiversity is a commitment for SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT”

Jean-LouisChaussade,Chief Executive Officer

Bernard Guirkinger,Executive Vice-president incharge of Water Business

coordination, R&I, SustainableDevelopment and Institutional

Relations.

* See Sustainable development policy, p. 40




INTERVIEW

ARE SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT’S CUSTOMERS SEEKING SOLUTIONSTO 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 toimagine solutions that enable them to act on several issues simultaneously: economic

efficiency, the fight 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 efficient 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 ENVIRONNEMENT’S

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 ENVIRONNEMENT’S 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 sensitivesites. We are currently working to redefine, clarify and reinforce our actions to make

them even more effective. We have gained significant 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 Group’s 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

CHALLENGESAND 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 ofliving species of increasing concern. To act before

it is too late is imperative.

The 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

threatened1. 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 decades2. 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.org2/ National biodiversity strategy: challenges, objectives, guidelines, French Literature, 20093/ Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Biodiversity:Biodiversity means the variabilityamong living organisms from allsources including, inter alia, terrestrial,marine and other aquatic ecosystemsand the ecological complexes ofwhich they are part: this includes

diversity within species, betweenspecies and that of ecosystems.3





ordinary” nature. To these pressures is finally 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 bybiodiversity 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 uswith 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

world’s gross national product.4

4/ “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity”.

Eco-system service:role played by organisms in thefunctioning of ecosystems and whichcreates conditions beneficial toMankind: pollination, climate control,water purification, etc.





To preserve and restore biodiversity,mobilization and collective responsibility

Faced with threats to biodiversity, mobilization

has intensified in recent years. International aware-

ness has forced all stakeholders (governments,

communities, businesses, associations, scientific,

etc.) to commit to policies to protect biodiversity.

Major changes are yet to come.

In 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

Benefit Sharing concerning biodiversity. It will be relayed

by the IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform

on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) platform. Like theIPCC, 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 6th Conference

of the Convention (The Hague): “significantly reduce biodi-

versity loss between now and 2010, at global, regional and

national levels, to contribute to the eradication of poverty

and for the benefit 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 defined 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 25 Act should

strengthen the biodiversity conservation system. Locally,

municipalities, under pressure from new responsibilities

for planning or awareness of public opinion and some

elected officials, 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 andblue belts, restoration of the ecological quality of water, improvement of knowledge and of expertise




The October 2010 Nagoya conference markeda major step in mobilizing international actionfor biodiversity.





SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT,boosting environmentalefforts

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.

SUEZ 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 improvingthe processing technologies for treating various effluents

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 Group’s 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 conditionsin which a population of individuals from

a certain species can live.

SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT IS COMMITTED TOREDUCING 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 Group’s

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 ENVIRONNEMENT’s

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 reflection in order to rethink

the Group’s biodiversity indicators and targets.





ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES:BETTER TREATMENTOF ALL WATER

To cope with damage to water resources and meet

higher standards for environmental protection,research on ultrafiltration membranes began in1985 at Lyonnaise des Eaux. In 1988, the municipalityof Moncourt was the first in the world to have apotable water plant using this technology andin 1992, ultrafiltration diaphragms received theapproval of the Ministry of Health for clarificationand water disinfection.This technology, developed at CIRSEE (SUEZ

ENVIRONNEMENT’S Research Centre) and todaymarketed by Aquasource Degremont, required over 30million euros of investment. This method does not useany chemicals and therefore respects the environment.Since its inception, nearly 200 plants in France andworldwide produce more than one million cubic meters

of ultra-filtered drinking water each day.

Today, the association of ultrafiltration membranes withosmosis or nano-filtration membranes has extendedthe application to the pre-treatment of sea wateror brackish water, as well as waste water treatment- a major technological revolution which provides evenmore effective treatment solutions to preserve aquaticenvironments.





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 thismeasures on the long run, and to report at best on the

Group’s 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 SITESIN THE GREEN AND BLUE BELTS

In June 2010, the four entities of Lyonnaise des Eaux

signed the Biodiversity and Natural EnvironmentsCharter for the Île-de-France region.Objective: to share expertise, coordinate actions overthe entire territory in order to be a recognized actorin the consideration of biodiversity in different regionalpolicies or development areas. In this context,integration of sites in the Green and Blue Belt isa priority.Through fauna/flora inventory actions, differentiatedmanagement of green spaces, creation of diversifiedhabitats promoting colonization of sometimesthreatened species and ecological restoration actions,Lyonnaise des Eaux made its sites “islands of biodiversity”.Especially in urban areas, the difficulty lies ininterconnecting natural areas: restoration of ecologicalcorridors is a major challenge. To reduce fragmentationof habitats, to facilitate adaptation to climate change

through correct working of ecosystems and

to promote a good ecological state of water resourceswill only be achievable through setting up the Greenand Blue belts. Lyonnaise des Eaux is todaycollaborating with departmental Sensitive NaturalAreas services to ensure consistency of differentiatedmanagement practices for green spaces withinthe territory.With NATUREPARIF (Regional Agency for Nature andBiodiversity in Île-de-France), a place for exchange andconsolidation of knowledge that brings together all theparties within the territory (companies, associations,local authorities, government, etc.), Lyonnaise des Eauxinscribes its actions in urban planning documents(SCOT, PLU) and in the future Ecology ConsistencyRegional Plan. It is through this shared vision thatLyonnaise des Eaux is implementing in Île de Francea shared strategy for biodiversity preservation.





BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLANSCOVERING SITA FRANCE’SLANDFILLS

With more than 700 waste treatment facilities,including 170 landfills in operation and closed,SITA France manages a large non-urban area.These facilities represent, during and after theiroperation, a real opportunity for recovery of highquality natural environments, especially inagricultural or built-up areas. In addition, certaintechnical facilities of these sites, ponds, ditches,fences, can be colonized by fauna and flora.Being Installations Classified for the Protectionof the Environment (ICPE), the landfills arealways subjected to an impact study. This study,

prior to any opening and expansion, specificallydetermines the challenges in terms of preservingbiodiversity. SITA France has decided to gobeyond the regulatory requirements forprotection of biodiversity, whether ordinary orremarkable. Therefore, since 2005, thesubsidiary, through its roadmap for SustainableDevelopment, is committed to integrating and

recovering local biodiversity throughout the lifeof its sites. This commitment applies to all wastetreatment facilities.

For the past five years, management plans forbiodiversity have been developed with expertsand deployed on SITA France’s non-hazardouswaste facilities.

Ecosystem: a community of livingbeings and their environment.The elements constituting an

ecosystem develop a networkfor exchanging energy and matterfor the maintenance and thedevelopment of life.



ACTIONS

PRESERVATION,RESTORATIONAND AWARENESS

ACTIONS




PRESERVATION, RESTORATION AND AWARENESS ACTIONS

SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT’s commitment to biodiversity isreflected 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 Group’s industrial activity. The Group’s initiatives for

biodiversity are developed for the natural environment, water and soil,

through partnerships formed with specialized institutions andassociations. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is also joining forces to develop

a high performance assessment and measuring tools as well

as raising awareness.









Assessment and monitoringof 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 ORDERTO DECIDE

Local authorities increasingly need measurement anddecision 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

first 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 flora 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

France’s 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/flora studies and the content and level of the deliv-

erables required. This guide also provides the environ-mental scientists in the consultancies with a specification

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 France’s operational managers received the guide in

January 2009 and are given training in its use.





AMPERES: TO EVALUATE THEEFFECTIVENESS OF WATER TREATMENTON 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 flora.

A number of substances deemed “priority” will be subjectto 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 first results in 2010. The research

focused on the identification of micropollutants and theefficacy 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 first conclusions

appear to be reassuring for the treatment of priority sub-

stances defined by the EU Framework Directive. Although

they were designed to treat nitrogen, phosphorus andcarbon, 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 MARINEENVIRONMENT

Knowledge of the benthic littoral populations represents afundamental 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 Qualicôte®, the first 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 MONITORINGOF AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS

Lyonnaise des Eaux has developed Sirène, 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,

classified as a Natura 2000 area and presenting an excep-

tional biological richness. Six Sirène continuous measure-

ment stations were positioned at strategic locations in the

pond. Energetically self-sufficient 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 onlyprovide 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 benefits 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 Qualicôte® package was launched in 2009 and

used successfully throughout the bay of Cannes.

PRESERVATION, RESTORATIONAND AWARENESS ACTIONS





ECOLOGICAL QUALITY INDICATOR:MEASURING BIODIVERSITY

Landfills, 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

landfills, identifies 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 scientific publications.

Implementation of the management and planning recom-

mendations in the Île-de-France region generated anoverall improvement of the ecological quality of sites, as

highlighted in 2009 following a second assessment by

the EQI.





Actions adapted to the natural waterand 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 fight against emerging pollutants called

“Zone Libellule” . Its objectives, to process water dis-charged from sewage plants and fight 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 whererushes, sedges or watercress grow in abundance. The

water takes about ten days to cross the Zone Libellule,

before finally being returned to the natural watercourse,

free of many pollutants.

The Zone Libellule is being trialed in Saint-Just, in Hérault.

Rigorous scientific 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 presentin a specific territory.

WATER





NEW APPROACH FOR MANAGINGTHE 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.

700m2 of ponds have been rehabilitated to allow the

return of biodiversity. Differentiated management of

the grasslands has been instituted and the planting of7km 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 dragonflies, recolonization of the ponds

by vertebrate amphibians.

WATER





EXEMPLARY WATER TREATMENTPLANT 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 Degrémont 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 flora. The membrane technology chosen will

discharge and even reuse as necessary water with qualitynear 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

24,000m3/day.

CONTROL OF INVASIVE PLANTSPECIES 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,

stifling 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 mechanicalrecovery which started in 2010.

SOIL SOIL

Invasive species: an invasive speciesis an exotic living species that canupset the balance of an ecosysteminto which it has been introduced.Biological invasion phenomena are

now considered by the UN as a majorcause of biodiversity loss.

É




ACTIONS DE PRÉSERVATION, RESTAURATION ET SENSIBILISATION

SLUDGE FROM TREATMENT PLANTSTO HELP REPLANT A FORMER MINEIN THE OVERSEAS TERRITORIES

In New Caledonia, the Calédonienne 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 anorganism can live normally, and whichprovides enough support for its needs.SOIL

PRESERVATION RESTORATION AND AWARENESS ACTIONS





RESTORING SOIL DEGRADEDBY 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 Chesterfield 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

final conversion of the site in 2014. The industrial complex

of “The Avenue” will become a reinstated site and will

change from “Brownfield” to “Greenfield” status! This rein-statement of the site will create ecological spaces and

protect the site’s fauna and flora. 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 mobilizerecognized 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 LYONNAISEDES EAUX AND FRANCE NATUREENVIRONNEMENT

France Nature Environnement (FNE) has been a recog-

nized federation of public interest since 1976, bringingtogether 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 federation’s 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 Idées Neuves sur l’eau 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 FRANCEAND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURALHISTORY

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 flora, 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 France’s landfills in order to

improve their ability to support fauna and flora. During the

spring and summer of 2008, the first step was to assess

the biodiversity inherent to the landills, little studied today

outside the framework of impact studies. This field cam-

paign was conducted on 17 SITA France sites by an expert

naturalist, Senior Research Fellow at the Department ofNatural 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 France’s 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 landfills.






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 financing biodiversity

projects under the United Kingdom’s biodiversity action

plan. Funded projects meet all the stipulated conditions,

including proving their ability to achieve significant goals

protecting biodiversity in line with the United Kingdom’snational action plan.

Biotope: a specific naturalenvironment offering a plant andanimal population relatively stablehabitat conditions.




To evaluate the projects presented, panels of expertswere mobilized to ensure optimum use of funds. In 2010,

the success of the operations financed since 2005 with

initial funding of £13.5 million led SITA Trust to announce

further funding to continue the fund’s 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 butterfly with a

total funding of over £700,000. With encouraging results,

these projects have experimented with many butterfly

conservation techniques. Essential accumulated experi-

ence needed to protect butterflies over the long term inthe UK, where they are among the most endangered

species.





PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONALCONSERVATORY OF GUADELOUPETO REINTRODUCE THE MANATEE

In October 2009, the Guadeloupe National Park and SITA

Espérance, which operates the Sainte-Rose non-hazardous

landfill, 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-

tee’s reintroduction in Guadeloupe, which could attract the

attention of the international scientific community. This is a

unique opportunity to make the marine Grand Cul-de-Sac

Bay a globally recognized site. A successful collaborationbetween the Guadeloupe National Park and SITA will

improve the chances of success of this operation.

Ecology: the science of relationshipsof living beings (animals, plants,microorganisms) with theirenvironment and with other livingbeings.





PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SITA FRANCEAND THE LPO TO PRESERVE THE RED KITEAND 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 significantly reduced the potential food

supply for this species.

Through sponsorship, SITA France supports the NationalRed 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 landfills.

These are constructed by SITA France, in close collabora-

tion with the LPO’s local experts, who choose the location

of these facilities to ensure their effectiveness. Three feed-

ing stations are now operational and functional in SITAFrance landfills, 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 landfill 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 wasdefined at the Grenelle round tableon the environment as a territorydevelopment tool, consisting of largenatural areas with corridors connecting

them, or acting as buffer zones.It is complemented by a Blue Belt,formed by rivers and water bodies andplanted strips spread out along thesewatercourses and bodies of water.The objective of the Green and BlueBelts is to ensure biological continuitybetween large natural spaces and

aquatic environments and in particularto allow movement of wildlife.

GREEN BELT: TO RAISE PUBLICAWARENESS WHILE PROTECTINGA 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 toteaching 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 thatcolonize 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 floods

• Differentiated management of grasslands to enhance

biodiversity

Awareness



PRESERVATION, RESTORATIONAND AWARENESS ACTIONS




AND AWARENESS ACTIONS

“BIODIVERSITY PATHS”: EXPLORINGTHE BIODIVERSITY ON WASTE STORAGEFACILITIES

To mark the International Year of Biodiversity, SITA France

has launched the Biodiversity Paths program and opened

the doors of its non-hazardous landfills.

Biodiversity Paths is a program to raise awareness for allaudiences - 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 landfills in operation in France.




A COMMITTEDSUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT POLICYSustainable development policies are governance tools intheir 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-financial 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 Group’s sustaina-ble development policy is focused on the businesses of

SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, its employees and its stake-

holders. Commitments were defined realistically, always

accompanied by quantified progress targets and precise

monitoring6 indicators.

6/ For a detailed presentation of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT’s sustainable development policy, its priorities, commitments, targets and indicators,see the document “Sustainable Development: 2009 Commitments and Performances”, for download from the Group’s 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 EMPLOYEESAS ACTORS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Foster professional knowledge.

Improve health and safety in the workplace.

Support diversity.

3

BUILD OUR DEVELOPMENTWITH 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 PRIORITIESFOR 12 COMMITMENTS

INNOVATE TO RESPOND

TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Improve energy efficiency 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 ÉDITIONS STRATÉGIQUES

EDITORIAL

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT - ARCHÉTYPECOLLABORATION WITH THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT, THE RESEARCH OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

AND THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT,

LYONNAISE DES EAUX, SITA FRANCE, DEGRÉMONT, 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 BOBBÉ - SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT AND X



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