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PLANET #February 2019
Climate:
What now?
Forum Frontline Outfront Explainer
Winning the China: Shandong Hongda When Veolia commits Heat islands:
climate fight: Chemical promotes to fighting global when water
mission possible? energy efficiency warming refreshes the city
EDITORIAL
CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 2019
04 CONTRIBUTORS
Michał Kurtyka, Thomas Joly, Wei Hongtao, Ludwig Narib
06 TRENDS/INSIDE/ DATAVIZ
The news in brief.
An infographic: By 2100... if we do not take action
The climate is shaking up the impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
2/3
fate of people, cities and businesses, and we • short-term solutions, in other words those
14 FORUM feel the bite of these changes with each passing whose impact could be felt by 2025. In
Antoine Frérot, Michał Kurtyka year. decreasing order of impact on emissions
Winning the climate fight: mission possible? The longer we wait to act, the more our reduction: energy efficiency in industry, the
environmental debt grows. The less effort we development of cogeneration, organic waste
make to reduce our CO2 emissions, the more we recovery, non-recyclable waste incineration, an
18 #WEARERESOURCERS will have to do in the very long term to adapt to increase in drinking water network efficiency,
Henry Gundry, Leif Bentsen
deep climate changes. along with — in the case of adaptation
In the light of this fact, should we give up? measures — the desalination of seawater;
22 FRONTLINE Should we despair? I do not believe so, and I’m • solutions that span the short (2020-2025) and
USA Lumberton: From chickens to light bulbs… what if our poultry could produce energy? even convinced that it is still possible to change medium term (2025-2035): energy efficiency
NAMIBIA Windhoek: Recycled wastewater, a drinking water (re)source
CHINA Shandong: Hongda Chemical promotes energy efficiency the game, by stabilizing global warming of buildings, waste heat recovery from industry
FRANCE Bièvre: A flood prevention model to follow before nature decides for us, at a high price for and wastewater, plastic recycling, recycling of
humanity. waste other than plastic;
38 GALLERY Antoine Frérot Many solutions exist, with a considerable • medium-term solutions, whose impact will
David Hanson: In the face of rising water levels, an entire village is moving CEO of Veolia potential impact on reducing greenhouse gas be seen by 2035: the development of biomass
emissions. According to an exclusive study by boilers (mitigation solution) and wastewater
the strategy consulting firm Roland Berger for reuse (adaptation solution);
46 OUTFRONT Veolia, the environmental services sector alone • long-term solutions, whose impact will be
When Veolia commits to fighting global warming could delive up to 30% of the reduction in seen after 2035: these are CO2 capture and
greenhouse gas emissions required to keep the energy storage.
temperature rise below 2°C by 2100.
51 COMMUNITY Not all of these solutions require huge financial This special edition of Planet presents some of
AfricWaste: The rise of the circular plastics economy in West Africa
resources, a fundamental challenge to our these solutions that could allow us to win the
lifestyles, or pressing global coordination. battle against climate change.
52 EXPLAINER This is why, at Veolia, we want to share an
Heat islands: When water refreshes the city
optimistic yet pragmatic view of the fight I hope that you enjoy reading it.
against climate change. What is both possible
and realistic to implement in the short,
54 FUTURIST medium, and long term? And what will be the
CO2 sequestration in agricultural soils: A solution for tomorrow impact?
Several categories of solutions emerge Antoine Frérot
depending on how quickly they can have an CEO of Veolia
Cover photo: Superbien
PL ANET February 2019 Février 2019 PL ANET
CONTRIBUTORS agenda
February 27 to March 1, 2019 - Wels (Austria)
World Sustainable Energy Days
Sustainable Energy Europe
Supported by the Intelligent Energy Europe program, it is one of the largest
annual conferences in the sector, at the heart of the European Union’s commitment
to a clean energy transition.
Thomas Joly
Michał Kurtyka Mayor of Verrières-le-Buisson since 2013,
and town councillor of Verrières-le-Buisson since 1989, for thirty
4/5
Secretary of State in Poland’s Ministry of Energy and Environment years Thomas Joly has been reconciling environmental protection
Michał Kurtyka presided over COP24, which was held from December with municipal management concerns. Since 1986, he has worked
2 to 15, 2018 in Katowice. A French speaker who studied at the École to promote the sustainable development of his region within several
Polytechnique and an economic specialist, he actively championed Poland’s organizations and is Vice-President of the Paris-Saclay conurbation
membership of the European Union. Michał Kurtyka also represents his authority. He currently advises the president of the organization Teragir,
country at the International Energy Agency. where he began his career.
Wei Hongtao Ludwig Narib
General Manager of Shandong Hongda Chemical, China City of Windhoek Strategic Executive Director
Since 2016, Wei Hongtao has been the General Manager of Shandong Hongda Ludwig Narib is an engineer who has been working on behalf of the
Chemical Co. Ltd., a major chemicals manufacturer actively involved in China’s city of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, since 1998. As Strategic
industrial transformation in the face of climate change. With over ten years’ Executive for Infrastructure, Water and Technical Services for
experience in the chemicals industry, Wei Hongtao has gained solid expertise in Windhoek, he oversees the quality controls of the drinking water
areas such as health, safety and management. produced from recycled water at the Goreangab facility.
A Veolia publication (30, rue Madeleine-Vionnet – 93300 Aubervilliers – France)
z Publication Director: Laurent Obadia. Editorial Director: Nathalie Cottard. Editorial direction: Clément Barry, Étienne Collomb, Feryel Gadhoum, Caroline Geoffrois. z Image content: Laure Duquesne, Gilles
Hureau. z With special contributions from: Sergio Corbo, Lidia De-Stefano, John Gibson, Magdalena Kempinski, Eric Le Sueur, Ciaran McMannus, Mathilde Nitard, Armelle Perrin-Guinot, Alice Peyrard, Romain
Prudent, Carole Ribardière, Marie-Dorothée Riet-Hucheloup, Antony Schillaci, Justine Shui, Stéphane Thomas, Martine Vullierme. z Copyright: February 2019. ISSN Number: 1761-4996. z Veolia photo library:
Copyright: Stéphane Lavoué, Christophe Majani d’Inguimbert, Maria Albuquerque/Veolia Recherche & Innovation, AfricWaste/Veolia, Damian Breach, Noel Campbell, Chris George, Getty Images/iStockphoto,
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Snowball, Michel Surreau, Jacob Wang, Mark Lennihan/AP/SIPA, DanLinPhotography/Gettyimages. z
Published by Bords de Loir z Art Director: Jean-Jacques Farré. Editorial team: Clément Barry, Anne Béchiri, Étienne Collomb, Virginie Little, Cécile Martin, James Ockenden, Paul Sanderson. z Illustrations:
http://www.wsed.at/en /world-sustainable-energy-days.html
Mariette Guigal. z Coordination: Sylvie Roussel. Production Manager: Caroline Lagaillarde. z Printed by: Electrogeloz z Packaging, sorting and mailing by Staci. z
10-31-1157
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PL ANET February 2019
TRENDS
Annual global consumption in terawatt hours Nature:
COP24: measured 1 TWh = 1 billion KWh
a remedy for the
global water crisis
ambitions, but By 2025, over two-thirds of
operational guidelines Manufacturing the world’s population will
live in areas potentially under
The 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference was
Computer water stress. This alarming
held from December 2 to 15, 2018 in Katowice, Poland,
marked by a sense of environmental urgency. Despite 5,523 hardware information comes from the
NGO “The Nature Conservancy”
the four scenarios formulated by the IPCC’s experts, the
(TNC), which at the same time
most pessimistic of which forecasts 5.5°C global warming
6/7
Network reckons that nature could
if we do nothing, the 196 participant countries did not
3,832 improve the water supply for a
unanimously recognize the validity of the scientists’ work.
billion people. Fighting for water
To move forward despite this lack of political cohesion,
Data centers integrity has become one of its
the effective implementation of the Paris agreement was
therefore the conference’s key issue.
At the end of difficult and technical diplomatic
1,817 battles, leading to the creation
of a long-term environmental
2035: a tipping negotiations, all the States that met in Katowice finally
1,065 conservation model for
point for the energy 10.34 million came to an agreement to define the framework for 921
watersheds: Water Funds.
Building on the momentum of
jobs were created thanks implementing the commitment made in Paris in 2015:
transition to renewable energy limiting global warming to between 1.5°C and 2°C by
the first one in Quito (Ecuador) in
In a study published in June 2018, the firm worldwide in 2017, i.e. a 2100. This shared desire took concrete form in guidelines 864 2000, some thirty Water Funds
45% increase over 2012. have been created around the
Wood Mackenzie determined 2035 as the Source: International covering one hundred or so pages, committing the
irreversible turning point for the energy globe and as many are currently
Renewable Energy Agency signatory States to the utmost transparency regarding the
540
UNITED STATES
transition, for companies and states alike. being deployed in North and
measures that will be taken as part of their “nationally
511 Latin America, Africa and Asia.
This turning point is explained by the
convergence of two curves: on this date, 2.7% determined contributions” to reduce their CO2 emissions.
“The decisions made here to implement the agreement
The success of this form of
GERMANY
increase in CO water governance lies in the
solar and wind power will represent 20% of 2
give us a solid basis for continuing to build confidence in
CANADA
emissions on a global fact that each stakeholder —
the world’s energy demand, i.e. three times
RUSSIA
scale in 2018. multilateralism and accelerate the transition throughout
CHINA
JAPAN
local authorities, companies,
INDIA
more than is currently the case. At the same Source: Earth System Science the world,” stated Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European
time, electric vehicles will cover the same Data governments, multilateral
Climate Foundation.
share of the transport sector on a global institutions, organizations, etc.
scale. Together, solar energy, wind power and
electric vehicles will replace over 2,800 billion
3.5 billion — collaborates in protecting
the resource and nature by
people depend on the
liters of oil each day, becoming the main
drivers of growth.
oceans for their
subsistence.
If the Internet were a country, finding mutual benefits. To
date, more than 100 companies
Over the coming decades, the study predicts
Source: Sea Change - it would be the third largest electricity consumer in the world have invested over 38 billion
European Union dollars in this model. TNC is now
that renewables will become “the default With over 1,800 TWh each year, the Internet is nowadays one of the planet’s largest electricity consumers.
choice across many energy systems around According to the Clicking Clean report published by Greenpeace in January 2017, looking to mobilize more private
the world.” As of 2036, electric vehicles 126 billion the information and communication technologies sector comes in third position, behind China
and the United States. Digital absorbs about 7% of global electricity. According to Greenpeace, this
players under the aegis of the
United Nations, especially water
will represent between 15 and 20% of all
kilometers travelled globally by cars, buses,
liters consumption is set to double every four years.
Sources:
services specialists with a strong
of water are lost world- international presence.
trucks or bikes. This paradigm shift will make https://www.greenpeace.org/international/publication/6826/clicking-clean-2017/
wide each year due to
it possible to avoid the daily consumption of network leaks.
6 million barrels of oil by 2040. Source: Frost & Sullivan
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANET
INSIDE
VEOLIA
IN THE GLOBAL TOP 10 OF
THE 2018 ECOACT RANKING
Each year, the report published by EcoAct distinguishes
the highest-performing companies in terms of climate
action. The 2018 ranking, published at the close of
Telex
AUSTRALIA
Climate Week NYC in September, put Veolia in ninth The Veolia foundation VEOLIA IS GOING TO RUN
place. “As a world leader in environmental services
took part in the humanitarian THE COUNTRY’S FIRST WASTE-
emergency operations deployed
management, the Group relies on an environmental by the French Ministry of TO-ENERGY FACILITY
management system supervised by its Sustainable Foreign Affairs and International The future waste-to-energy (WtE) power
Development Committee. Veolia has emerged as an Development in Palu, on the
plant in Kwinana, in the Perth area, will
industry leader with aggressive CO2 reduction plans, a island of Sulawesi (Indonesia),
following the earthquake and come into service in 2021. The plant,
procurement policy and a rigorous supplier monitoring which is the first of its kind in Australia,
tsunami of September 28, 2018.
system,” highlights the EcoAct report. Veolia is one of will treat 400,000 metric tons of municipal
only two French companies to feature on this list. solid waste each year and produce 40
megawatts (MW) of green energy, i.e.
8/B
the energy consumption of 50,000
households. Veolia already manages
several renewable energy production
facilities in the country: the Woodlawn
site in New South Wales produces energy
for 30,000 households using biogas
from Sydney’s organic waste; the Ti Tree
Bioenergy Facility in Queensland supplies
2,500 households with green electricity
produced from biogas; the Earthpower
plant in New South Wales, the first
regional waste-to-energy facility (food
Veolia took part in the only) in Australia, provides over 3,600
European Commission’s households with green electricity.
consultation with a view to
revising the ambient air quality
“You are not Atlas UZBEKISTAN
directives. A bill could be
proposed in 2019.
UNITED STATES
carrying the world on VEOLIA WILL SUPPORT TASHKENT IN
MODERNIZING ITS WATER SERVICE Last September, Veolia
and New York City collected
VEOLIA WINS TWO
RADIOACTIVE METAL WASTE
your shoulder. It is good A memorandum of understanding between Veolia and
the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed on October 9,
18 metric tons of hazardous
household waste during the
seventh safe disposal campaign
TREATMENT CONTRACTS
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL),
to remember that the
2018 to modernize the water service in Tashkent, the managed and run by Battelle Energy
carried out among residents.
country’s capital. Veolia will manage the drinking water Alliance under the authority of the United
production and distribution and wastewater treatment States Department of Energy, has chosen
planet is carrying you” facilities for a 25-year period. Within the framework of
this contract, which will come into effect during the
first half of 2019, Veolia will also be responsible for
Veolia’s Nuclear Solutions activity to
treat its radioactive metal waste. Both
contracts signed with the INL involve the
monitoring the investments required to modernize the use of the GeoMelt® solution, a method
Uzbek capital’s water network in coordination with the for chemically converting radioactive
Vandana Shiva, Indian writer local authorities. This memorandum was signed during
the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state
metals into an inert oxide, while
immobilizing radionuclides in a durable
and ecologist, Alternative Nobel visit to France. vitrified waste form.
Prize winner in 1993.
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANET
agenda
March 22, 2019
INSIDE World Water Day
Leaving No One Behind
Telex Allowing everyone -- residents, immigrants, refugees, the stateless -- everywhere to
COP24 briefing in Cracow
on October 22, 2018: Antoine
beneFit from development and achieve the full realization of human rights, without
Frérot, Veolia’s CEO, shared his
vision of the megalopolises of discrimination on the basis of gender, age, race, language, religion, opinions,
the future along with the Group’s
commitment to climate change disability, etc.
VEOLIA AND UNILEVER action.
10/11
IN A NEW PLASTICS ECONOMY LOOP
At the end of October, Veolia and Unilever signed a collaboration Antoine Frérot and the
UNITED
agreement on sustainable packaging. The two companies will President of the French National KINGDOM
Natural History Museum
combine their know-how with a view to boosting a circular
(MNHN), Bruno David, signed
AIR QUALITY
plastics economy in several regions of the world. Starting with
India and Indonesia, two countries swamped by plastic pollution,
a framework agreement in DESERVES A
November to consolidate and
where Veolia and Unilever will implement used packaging deepen the long-standing TECHNOLOGICAL
collection solutions, reinforce their recycling capacities and collaboration between Veolia REVOLUTION
develop new business models and methods. and the MNHN to promote Devised collectively by Eminox,
biodiversity.
Veolia and Westminster City
Council, a technology tested on
garbage trucks’ tailpipes in this
London’s South Quay Plaza downtown London area has led
building complex, which
VEOLIA is home to the UK’s highest
residential tower, will use
to a 99% drop in their nitrogen
dioxide emission levels, which
AT THE HEART OF THE NEW ALLIANCE Veolia’s latest heat and power are lower than new vehicles in
TO END PLASTIC WASTE cogeneration technologies to line with the Euro 6 pollution
Launched on January 16, 2019 in London (United Kingdom), the produce low-carbon energy. standard. The solution, which
Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) wants to stem the scourge of combines a diesel particle
plastic waste in the environment, starting with the oceans. Some filter with selective catalytic
thirty companies, involved in the plastics and consumer goods Veolia and two French reduction and Amminex
value chain in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and research institutes ASDS™ technology, is an
the Middle East, have come together in this new coalition, which — INRA (French National industry first. Enabling older
Institute for Agricultural
has committed to donating over one billion dollars — with the aim diesel vehicles to meet the
Research) and IRSTEA (National
of reaching 1.5 billion dollars — over a five-year period, to increase Research Institute of Science Euro 6 standard allows them to
and disseminate solutions to reduce and manage plastic waste. and Technology for Environment travel in the ULEZs (Ultra Low
A key goal for Veolia, as a founding member: and Agriculture) — signed a Emission Zones) introduced by
“Tackling plastic waste in the environment and developing a five-year framework agreement Transport for London, Greater
in November concerning the
circular economy requires the participation of all the actors in London’s public transport
use of composts from the
the value chain and the long-term commitment of companies, circular economy to recover the regulatory body.
governments and communities. No country, company or agronomic potential of soils.
community can solve this problem alone,” stated Antoine Frérot,
CEO of Veolia and Vice-President of the AEPW.
https://www.unwater.org/what-we-do/inspire-action
PL ANET February 2019
WHAT AWAITS US AT +3°C
BY 2100...
Heightened heat waves
+5.5°C Heat waves have tripled in frequency,
accelerating in particular the
+4°C phenomenon of urban heat islands where
+2°C the thermometer can reach up to 50°C.
IF WE DO NOT
Extreme hot or cold temperatures are all
+1.5°C the more frequent as the average rise in
land temperatures increases.
TAKE ACTION More frequent floods, storms and
hurricanes
Average rainfall is increasing in wet regions,
HALF A DEGREE MAKES MITIGATION AND while dry regions are becoming even more
ALL THE DIFFERENCE! ADAPTATION parched. 800,000 Europeans are victims
of river flooding each year. On the other
Source: IPCC, special report, October 2018 =
Rising sea levels, the frequency and
intensity of heat waves, the violence of MEASURES hand, (subtropical) dry regions are becoming
even more arid. Extreme weather episodes are
scenario of +1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial deadly hurricanes, floods and scorching The IPCC’s October 2018 report highlights: becoming increasingly intense, endangering
era, between 2030 and 2052 Source: IPCC, 5th stabilizing global warming at 1.5°C – one the survival of the most vulnerable
report, 2015 = scenarios of +2°C, +4°C and +5.5°C heat… All around the world, the number
of the goals of the Paris agreement – populations.
compared to the pre-industrial era, looking to 2100 of extreme events due to climate change
is increasing. The impacts are already remains possible but requires profound
visible at 1°C warming, the average and rapid changes in our societies. The
The 4 forecasts
12/13
threshold reached worldwide in 2017 latter therefore have ten years to reduce
their human-induced carbon dioxide (CO2) Food and health crises
compared to the pre-industrial era. Falling crop yields and water reserves on
for the planet These climate events affect the lives of emissions by about 45% compared to 2010
levels! And they must achieve zero net
a regional scale are increasing certain
billions of people, especially the most risks – food insecurity, heightened
emissions by 2050. tensions linked to conflicts over the
While the United Nations 24th vulnerable. In the fight against climate
It is therefore time to accelerate the pace of resource’s use, etc. – especially for the
change, every tenth of a degree counts. most disadvantaged populations. Periods
Climate Change Conference implementation regarding two key measures:
At 1.5°C warming, the consequences on of extreme heat in urban environments lead
(COP24) concluded on December populations and ecosystems worsen. mitigation and adaptation. The first makes to many deaths among the very young, the
it possible to stabilize or even reduce GHG elderly and outdoor workers.
16, 2018 with an agreement At 2°C, the impacts would be dramatic
on our ability to feed ourselves and on concentrations in the atmosphere through
on a technical guide – the anthropogenic intervention. The solutions
our health, and could even become
Paris Rulebook – essential for irreversible. developed include CO2 capture and storage,
implementing 2015’s agreement, methanization, and energy efficiency. The Rising sea levels and melting ice and
Beyond 3°C, the situation would permafrost
second targets the ability of a natural or
the 195 signatory States (plus the become critical: mass extinction of The sea level has risen by 98 centimeters.
animal and plant species, heightened human system to adjust to climate change, One in ten people worldwide is affected.
European Union) have not met in order to control any consequences thereof 85% (in volume terms) of glaciers have
food insecurity and massive population
their greenhouse gas reduction movements. or deal with the repercussions of negative disappeared. 81% of the permafrost
impacts that cannot be avoided. It may involve (ground that has permanently frozen) has
targets. Yes, the international melted, releasing enormous amounts of
restoring ecosystems, managing biodiversity,
community has definitively sustainably managing water, etc.
methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. 10,000
small islands have been erased from the map.
adopted the 1.5°C goal and now
has a method for measuring,
checking and reporting on TIME FOR ACTION Loss of biodiversity
the progress made by GHG The Climate Summit organized by the climate targets. In its activities, Veolia Corals have practically vanished under
reduction policies. However, the UN in New York on September 23, 2019 is working to reduce greenhouse gas the effect of ocean acidification. The
disappearance of these major stalwarts
commitments made by the States will be crucial in raising States’ ambitions. emissions and invent solutions to avoid
of the ocean food chain is leading to the
Likewise, COP25 in Chile in December must them (cf. the topics addressed in this issue).
to date would lead to warming of disappearance of many other marine
ratify these new commitments, settle the Mitigation solutions based on the circular species. Climate change is accelerating
3.3°C in 2100. This reflects a real question of the global carbon market, and economy: waste recycling and recovery, changes in land ecosystems, causing the
lack of political will to promote begin implementing the greenhouse gas renewable energy production, energy extinction of one in six species. And provoking
the disappearance of the goods and services
both emissions mitigation and global stocktake for 2023. Many industrial efficiency, and district heating. Adaptation
offered by nature.
companies such as Veolia, major cities and and resilience solutions: water recycling in
adaptation in countries affected organizations are unhesitatingly striving areas under water stress, sanitation control
by global warming. day after day to maintain the ambitious during rainy weather, etc. Sources: IPCC Fifth Assessment Report; Potential
impact of sea level on French islands worldwide,
CNRS, 2013; Climate change, heading towards an
increased flood risk in France and Europe? CEPRI
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANET
FORUM
FORURUMUM
Winning the climate fight: COP24, which came to an end on December 14, 2018 in
Katowice, Poland, has given birth to the Katowice Rulebook.
All the players — whether civil society, politicians or
mission possible? companies — are concerned in the fight against climate
change, with interests that are sometimes difficult to
reconcile. What role should everyone play and what kind
Michał Kurtyka of just transition should be sought, given the sense of
environmental urgency? Michał Kurtyka, President of COP24
and Antoine Frérot and Polish Secretary of State for the Environment, and
Antoine Frérot, Veolia’s CEO, debate the issue.
debate the question.
14/15
A
As President of COP24 in Katowice, what are your Despite the size of the task to be accomplished, it is
conclusions from the conference? possible to achieve a carbon-free economy within
Michał Kurtyka: It was an extremely complex the timeframe required by the climate clock. But
negotiation that was both very technical and very we must agree, collectively and individually, to
political. From this point of view, I think that COP24 do more. Everyone – i.e. States that define energy
in Katowice was a success. We laid down the rules policies; cities that emit 75% of the planet’s CO2
for a global climate policy; we reached a consensus. emissions but can also influence lifestyles limiting
These rules will come into effect in 2021 all over the them; companies that consume resources but invent
globe, replacing the Kyoto Protocol, and this large- low-carbon solutions; organizations that are highly
scale global framework will be reviewed every five involved in implementing projects on the ground;
years. Once implemented, they will oblige States to the inhabitants of Planet Earth who, through their
“I think that
be transparent regarding climate change actions. personal decisions, vote for or against the climate humanity
Both developed and developing countries alike will dozens of times a day.
gain from this. We are going to mutually induce
has the time,
one another to keep our promises and guarantee M. K.: At COP24, we unanimously adopted the intelligence
developing countries support in terms of funding, Katowice Rulebook, a set of rules that are going to
technology transfer, and administrative capacities. define the global climate policy for the years ahead.
and resources
I see this as a sign of optimism, which shows that to meet
There are many signs nowadays that the climate – beyond the trade wars that States are engaged
the climate
crisis is worsening. At the same time, certain experts, in from day to day – we are able to address the
Michał Kurtyka Antoine Frérot such as the IPCC, believe that it is still possible to climate question outside political frameworks. It challenge.”
Polish Secretary of State for CEO of Veolia
the Environment, President of change the climate situation. Personally, do you think is sometimes easy to fall into pessimism and tell Michał Kurtyka
COP24 that humanity is capable of winning the climate ourselves “there’s nothing we can do.” But that’s
fight? not an option. I think that humanity has the time,
Antoine Frérot: There are battles where the stakes intelligence and resources to meet the climate
are so high that we must engage in them, even if challenge. Will we be able to seize this opportunity?
the chances of success seem slim. The fight to limit That will depend not only on the public authorities,
climate change – and thus preserve the habitability of but also companies, cities and regions, which are
our planet – is obviously one such battle. sending us many signals. •••
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANET
FORUM
Portsmouth,
United Kingdom -
Waste-to-energy
facility.
••• In its latest report, the IPCC recommends a significant Many global economies are based on coal. What
reduction in anthropogenic CO2 by 2030 of around solutions can be deployed to enable a transition to
45% compared to 2010 levels. What role can less polluting energy sources?
companies in general play to achieve this target? M. K.: There is no miracle solution nowadays
What solutions is Veolia implementing to this end? concerning the global energy equation. However, if
16/17
A. F.: Companies play a decisive role because they we don’t make every effort to find it, we will all lose
innovate and can produce lower-carbon goods and out. Fossil fuel sources emit greenhouse gases and
services. In this respect, they have a powerful ripple coal is incredibly polluting. It’s up to each country to
effect on their suppliers, clients and consumers. It find alternative solutions to fossil fuels. In the case
was companies, for instance, that were behind the of Poland, for example, the government is thinking
drop in electricity storage costs, a crucial point in the “We are not about its energy strategy for 2040. This strategy relies
energy transition’s success. Veolia is playing its part by short on heavily on zero-emission sources: solar, wind and
inventing processes for recycling end-of-life batteries, nuclear power. In particular, the project currently
which saves rare resources and helps lower costs. solutions. being discussed provides for significant growth in
However, we solar power, from 10,000 MW in 2030 to 20,000 MW
M. K.: I think that you have to be demanding with in 2040.
regard to companies and yet be careful not to ask are lacking the
too much of them. They must innovate, put forward political will A. F.: Our Group is playing an active role in the shift to
new business models, call upon their R&D, and be renewables. In this respect, it has taken measures to
responsible in their actions… but everything can’t and economic switch its coal-powered energy production facilities
rest on their shoulders. They filter good ideas for the incentives in Central Europe and China to alternative fuels. In
environment, but these ideas are not necessarily Karviná, in the Czech Republic, coal will shortly be
profitable at the beginning. The public authorities to spur the replaced by solid recovered fuel and gas, which emit M. K.: We are already getting major fund managers consensus. In the interests of the planet, each country
“In the interests
must support innovations through favorable majority of much less CO2. on board in redirecting their strategic choices toward must discern the decisive elements that contribute
regulations to help innovative companies grow. At the same time, we have set an internal price responsible investments, and that’s great. However, of the planet, to the well-being not only of its citizens but also
players to per ton of CO2, which is taken into account when micro-enterprise financing and crowdfunding must everyone else beyond its borders.
each country
A. F.: Companies such as Veolia already offer a variety replicate them determining our different investments. also be sought out. And we all have a role to play
of complementary solutions: energy efficiency; in this. Finally, there are also European funds. The must discern A. F.: This is a key issue. To be accepted, a transition
renewable energy; the circular economy that on a wide The question of financing the energy and ecological European Commission recently announced the must be just and seen as such. We will be unable
the decisive
drastically reduces carbon emissions by turning scale.” transitions remains crucial. In your opinion, what allocation of 25% of its funds to climate policy within to successfully achieve the energy transition if we
waste into resources; capturing methane, which is a Antoine Frérot measures should be implemented as a priority? the framework of its next budgetary stance. But what elements that neglect its social dimension! Responding to the
pollutant when it is released into the atmosphere but A. F.: The main sticking point is concrete incentives to COP24 in Katowice showed and what Paris revealed climate emergency is a question of justice, first and
a source of green energy if it is converted into heat, act. To spread low-carbon solutions all along the chain is that we can’t do it without civic dialogue, because
contribute to foremost with regard to poor countries that are most
etc. of economic actors, we have to set a CO2 price. A robust, social choices lie behind policy choices when it comes the well-being affected by climate change, even though they are
The widespread implementation of these solutions predictable and sufficiently high price so that cleaning to the global climate, energy, food, etc. the least responsible for it. In developed countries,
would lead to huge gains. Take waste energy recovery up costs less than polluting by emitting carbon.
not only of its we must organize retraining for employees working
for instance. In Europe, only 1% of waste heat from When it comes to waste and wastewater, States apply On that topic, COP24 in Katowice placed the “just citizens but in coal, the most polluting fossil fuel. There are over
factories and cities is reused; 99% is lost! the polluter pays principle or strict emissions caps. transition” concept at the heart of its debates. What 100,000 such workers in Poland and over 70,000 in
We are not short on solutions. However, we are Strangely, they do this much less for greenhouse exactly does this mean?
also everyone the United States. In the long term, most of these
lacking the political will and economic incentives to gases. At present, only 10% of CO2 emissions are taxed M. K.: Just transition means establishing a dialogue else beyond its jobs will disappear. We will have to offset them, in
spur the majority of players to replicate them on a at a sufficient price to limit warming to two degrees. and showing respect, and that everyone agrees with borders.” particular by creating other jobs in clean energies: by
wide scale. We will never have a strong climate policy with weak the decisions made. What direction do we want to 2030, 40 million people are predicted to be working in
Michał Kurtyka
regulatory mechanisms! take? In this context, policy can only reflect the social renewables, i.e. four times more than today. n
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANET
#WEARERESOURCERS
In Australia, Henry relies on
his teams to head up the Above
and beyond
Woodlawn ecosite. In Denmark,
Leif is proud of Krüger A/S’s role
in Copenhagen’s flood resilience.
Meeting Veolia employees from all over the world.
Henry Gundry Although he had once thought of becoming a forest ranger in a national
18/19
Woodlawn Eco-Precinct park, Henry Gundry decided to give different expression to his passion for the environment:
Manager he is now the Woodlawn Eco-precinct Manager in Tarago. This site, which forms the hub of
Tarago, New South Wales a network of interconnected green projects, hosts infrastructure designed and managed
Australia by Veolia. It receives waste from the city of Sydney and transforms it into a number of
different resources: biogas for electrical generation and waste heat for aquaculture
products. Attached to the facility is an agricultural enterprise where sheep and cattle are
raised on Veolia’s 15,000 acres of farmland.
Since his arrival in the Group in 2006, Henry has been both witness to and architect of the
continued development of the Woodlawn site, which he has been managing since 2017.
Initially tasked with ensuring operational environmental compliance, Henry gained
experience, drawing on his understanding of sites’ monitoring and compliance systems
and drafting technical reports for governmental agencies.
As part of his new responsibilities, Henry communicates daily with his teams, who provide
him with a detailed picture of the site’s activities. Together, they review all the necessary
aspects for the smooth running of the site, especially the production processes and safety.
“The teams around me are a source of motivation. They help me meet new challenges in
terms of innovation and achieve the targets we’ve set for ourselves,” explains Henry. In all
these everyday interactions, he prioritizes a direct and casual communication style “that
lets you get the best from the people you work with.”
This authenticity is also down to his local roots: “I live just four kilometers from my
workplace and I also grew up in the area. It’s a very important factor, because I’m seen
as a real local leading the development of the Eco-Precinct for Veolia while having the
surrounding local community’s interests at heart.”
Attached to his local area, Henry is determined to do everything in his power to make
Woodlawn an exemplary site. In particular, he mentions the gradual implementation
of the aquaculture system, made possible by using the heat generated through biogas
capture and electrical generation. This challenge was met with enthusiasm and crowned
with success: “The Eco-Precinct’s objectives and opportunities are constantly evolving, and
that’s precisely what I like best about my job,” he emphasizes, keen to move Woodlawn
even further in the direction of the circular economy. n
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANET#WEARERESOURCERS
Leif Bentsen “Understand what we do better than ever, with the primary aim of saving the
CEO, Krüger A/S planet.”
Copenhagen, Denmark More than a mere objective, this is the philosophy disseminated on a daily basis by Leif
Bentsen in his position as CEO of Krüger A/S. Veolia’s Danish subsidiary counts five sites
20/21
across the country. Specialized in many water-related activities (drinking water, treatment
water, urban drainage and sanitation, wastewater treatment, soil decontamination and,
more recently, land-based fish farming), it has developed a modeling and control tool to
help the city of Copenhagen increase its flood resilience, by preventing wastewater from
overflowing into the natural environment in the event of bad weather.
“In 2015, the United Nations set 17 goals to be reached to transform our planet through
sustainable development. The sixth goal is to guarantee access to water and sanitation
for all, and to ensure sustainable management of water resources. This is precisely the
ambition we strive toward every day; what we have successfully achieved with the city of
Copenhagen is one of our great sources of pride,” explains Leif Bentsen.
Having joined Krüger in 1991 after obtaining his engineering degree, he often goes to meet
its clients. He is keen to discuss as often as possible with stakeholders in order to best meet
their expectations and anticipate changes on the environment market.
A soccer and mountain biking enthusiast, Leif is a man of endurance. This trait allows
him to sustain the pace of his many travels around the world to identify and set up
new sustainable projects for Krüger and its clients. Always on the hunt for trends and
innovations in the environment sector, he keeps a close eye on regulatory changes that
often open up new markets.
When assessing the outcome of COP24, this hands-on man with a realistic and firmly
optimistic approach states that, “while it’s still difficult to see concrete actions, we are
going in the right direction, and the negotiations were done properly. The desire for
acceleration is a legitimate one, but if we go too quickly, we run the risk of leaving certain
countries behind. Things can move very quickly in Europe, because we have the decision-
making levers, the investment, and the technology. We must therefore take advantage of
them to do our utmost, while accepting that other regions of the world are not following
the same rhythm.” n
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANETFRONTLINE
Lum
berton
USA
22/23
From chickens to light bulbs…
what if our poultry
could produce energy?
In North Carolina, chicken Farming is the main economic so many henhouses nowadays that farming
activity in North Carolina. According to the land is not enough to absorb the droppings.
droppings, which have state’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Professionals are also worried about the
traditionally been reused Consumer Services, it brings in 84 billion consequences of spreading this waste in
dollars each year. In 2017, North Carolina overly large quantities, especially in terms
as fertilizer, have become even became the leading state for poultry of polluting the region’s rivers, lakes and
and egg production in the United States, groundwater resources.
extremely plentiful. Hence representing 4.8 billion dollars in revenue.
the idea of also making However, poultry generates huge amounts Biomass as a solution
of litter. Mat Ware, Vice President, Operations
them a source of green (Energy sector) for Veolia in North America, Back in 2007, the North Carolina Utilities
Issue at stake Objective Veolia solution
energy! explains that when poultry farms were still Commission decided to develop energy
> Treating and recovering chicken droppings, which > Convert poultry litter into > Improve the litter recovery rate to make a biomass
few in number, all the used litter could be production using this waste and required
have become extremely plentiful in North Carolina. electricity. plant in North Carolina a model of its kind.
utilized as soil fertilizer. However, there are a certain percentage of the energy sold •••
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANETFRONTLINE
Mathew Ware, Vice President, Operations (Energy sector)
for Veolia in North America
••• by the local public services to come from
poultry waste. Several poultry litter-fueled
power plants were thus created, such as the How Veolia is developing biomass
Lumberton facility, a former coal-fired power in North America
station converted by Georgia Renewable
Power (GRP) into a biomass plant, which
“
treats poultry waste and recovers some of Energy production build two 65-MW plants play. Other technologies
it, mixing it with wood chips to produce from poultry in northern Georgia. such as methanization,
electricity. waste is a relatively In the United States, which consists in
Since May 2017, Veolia has been running new market in North there are an increasing recovering biological
and managing the Lumberton site on behalf Carolina. However, the number of initiatives sources (i.e. food
of GRP, supplying electricity to the Duke favorable commercial looking to abandon waste or sludge from
Energy grid. While the plant previously only and regulatory context fossil fuels in favor of wastewater treatment
recovered around 10% of the poultry waste – and the amount of renewable energy. This plants) into methane
the rest of the energy coming from wood chip biomass available has resulted in the – natural gas – are
recovery – Veolia has succeeded in increasing make it a promising rise of wind and solar developing. Veolia North
the share of poultry waste recovered to over one. Veolia is currently technologies, as well America is becoming
30%. “We worked flat out to optimize the working with Georgia as biomass, which also increasingly involved in
”
plant’s efficiency,” states Mat Ware. “The Renewable Power to has an important role to this field.
24/25
owners are planning to replace the boilers,
which would allow us to reach 100% poultry
waste recovered.” Nowadays, the plant treats
up to 285,000 metric tons of poultry waste
each year and produces 25 MW of energy the recovery process is used to dry the wood project. Burning chicken droppings for fuel
per hour. chips destined for export that will power is highly complex and has certainly put the
biomass plants in the United Kingdom, expertise and skills of both companies to the
Sustainable energy Europe and Asia. “These chips generally have test. We really had to work together to ensure
a moisture content of 30%,” adds Mat Ware. this project’s success.” Thanks to Veolia’s
A contractual clause paired with a financial “By drying them to lower this content to 6 or engagement and the visionary choice made
incentive encourages the facility to recover 7%, we obtain a better fuel while reducing by GRP to convert the facility, North Carolina
as much litter as possible. This is a beneficial the volume of water to be transported.” has found a twofold solution to its problem:
challenge in more ways than one: first of all, For Georgia Renewable Power, the treating and recovering chicken droppings,
the ash from the plant, which still contains partnership with Veolia has borne fruit, as as well as producing renewable electricity KEY FIGURES
the nutrients from the litter decomposition, Ciaran McManus, GRP’s Director of Assets for individuals and industry. This collective
can be used either as a green fertilizer or for and Operations, explains: “We are delighted effort has delivered a solution to everyone’s • 285,000 metric tons
land restoration. Then, the heat given off by to partner with Veolia in this pioneering benefit. n of poultry waste treated
each year in North Carolina
• 25 MW of energy produced
per year, enough to power some
18,750 households in the region
In Morocco, the first carbon-neutral automotive plant in the world thanks to olive stones
Far from the United States, other automobile plant in Tangier, we power processes, such as operating the ovens
countries are using original biomass our biomass boilers with a mix made up for drying the car paint. This initiative has
fuels as an energy source. In Morocco, for of 80% olive residues and 20% ground enabled the plant to obtain the European
instance, Veolia has joined forces with wood pallets. In total, 23,000 metric tons Union’s eco-label for its sustainable
the car manufacturer Renault on its Dacia of olive residues are treated each year by production methods. n
site in Tangier. Tariq Bensaid, Director these biomass boilers to produce heat.
of Operations for Veolia Industries in We have two boilers with a capacity of
KEY FIGURES
Morocco, explains how olive residues are 6 MW, which produce hot water at 90°C,
used in the car manufacturing process. and a 6.5-MW boiler for the production • 23,000 metric tons of olive
“Morocco is the fourth largest olive of superheated water at 220°C at 36 bar residues recovered in Tangier
producer in the world. We therefore have pressure. This heat supplies the hot water • 76 GWh of heat produced, used to
a huge amount of olive stones and pulp required for the manufacturing processes. manufacture cars at Renault’s Moroccan
from olive groves and oil mills. At the The extra thermal energy is used in other plant
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANETFRONTLINE
Wind
hoek NAMIBIA
26/27
Recycled wastewater,
a drinking water (re)source
Many metropolises around the world can barely back in 1968: recycling municipal wastewater
for human consumption. Worldwide to
meet their inhabitants’ drinking water needs. Climate date, this solution has only been deployed in
change is making the situation worse. What if recycling Windhoek, Singapore and California’s Orange
County (United States).
wastewater were the solution? This is the choice made
by Windhoek – Namibia’s capital – to guarantee a safe “Multi-barrier”
technology
and sustainable drinking water supply.
The city of Windhoek’s wastewater is treated
in its Goreangab plant, which opened in 1968.
Modernized in 2002-2003, it has since been
run and managed by Windhoek Goreangab
Operating Company (WINGOC), a consortium
Namibia is one of the most constant water stress, with an average annual held 67% by Veolia and 33% by the WABAG
arid countries in the world; crossed by the pluviometry of barely 300 mm, and aquifers group.
Kalahari and Namib deserts and bordered that strong evaporation prevents from being During this modernization phase, several
Issue at stake Objective Veolia solution
to the west by the Atlantic Coast, rainfall is refilled. innovative technologies were put in place –
virtually nonexistent. Although it is located in To cope with this extreme situation, this African biofiltration and granular activated carbon > Increasing water resources in Windhoek – the capital of > Create new resources to secure Windhoek’s > Converting municipal wastewater into
Namibia – one of the most arid cities in the world. drinking water supply. drinking water.
a greener area, its capital Windhoek is under country introduced an unprecedented solution filtration, along with a “multi-barrier” •••
PL ANET February 2019 February 2019 PL ANETFRONTLINE
••• process – to remove four main elements
Martine Vullierme, Deputy Director
from wastewater (physical and organoleptic OPUS®II: recovering process water to restore natural of Veolia’s Africa/Middle East zone, in charge
of Operations
elements, macroelements, microbiological and ecosystems
disinfection by-products). The combination of
technologies, chemicals and filters makes it The oil and gas company PXP has the local ecosystem. The treated water A solution to water stress
possible to eliminate pollutants and solids in chosen Veolia and its OPUS®II provides 25,000 barrels per day, which
order to produce clean and perfectly drinkable technique to treat the effluent from will be used in OTSG-type (superheated
water. the Arroyo Grande oil field in San steam) steam generators for oil
“Drinking water production from wastewater
is based on the multi-barrier concept,” explains
Thomas Honer, WINGOC’s General Manager.
Luis Obispo County in California.
Veolia had been chosen in 2013 to
design, build and operate a produced
production, while 20,000 barrels per
day are discharged into nature, helping
augment rivers in a particularly arid
“ Veolia has been a
stakeholder in this
Windhoek project since
Despite a shortage of water,
other regions of the world
are opposed to recycling
“Domestic effluents are treated using water recovery facility. OPUS®II, an environment. 2003; at the time, a state- wastewater largely due
activated sludge. They are then transported innovative proprietary technology, is This technology makes it possible of-the-art “multi-barrier” to cultural reasons or
to the Goreangab facility where they are used to produce high-quality water. to increase the crude oil production technology was put in psychological obstacles.
converted into drinking water.” The water Performance and price guarantees capacity, improve water management, place. A host of physical In Australia, for instance,
made fit for drinking is then mixed with other are provided over the contract’s and protect the environment. It proves filters along with bacterial a facility of this kind was
supply sources, such as reservoir water and twelve-year period. In addition to the the wealth of the product offerings and chemical treatments suggested following a
underground water from aquifers. advantage of being compact, Veolia’s from Veolia, which was able to count on guarantee that the drinking drought but never came to
facility allows the company to boost several of its subsidiaries to tailor the water complies with light because of opposition
28/29
its oil production while helping restore offering to PXP’s needs. n World Health Organization from the local community...
A battery of controls
standards. The water is and the return of the rain.
The drinking water produced by the Goreangab therefore extremely clean. However, many cities are
facility is constantly subject to quality controls, There are few facilities of suffering from water stress
not only to ensure the safety of the sources this kind: Goreangab is both and it is an excellent source
but also to win the public’s trust. “Samples the oldest and the largest of drinking water. We
are analyzed in the laboratory every thirty infrastructure challenges and are among the increase a city’s drinking water supply by in the world. The standard must get used to this idea
minutes,” states Ludwig Narib, Strategic cities most exposed to water stress. In the recycling wastewater safely and responsibly. solution consists in treating because water is a precious
Executive for Infrastructure, Water and United Kingdom, for instance, London must However, technology alone is not enough. wastewater in treatment resource.
Technical Services for the city of Windhoek. In deal with the convergence of two phenomena: Windhoek has successfully teamed it with plants before discharging Windhoek’s inhabitants
addition, there is a health risk management relatively low rainfall, scarcely 600 mm per year a public awareness-raising and education it into the natural have clearly understood
program linked to research projects. It includes on average (less than Paris and half that of New campaign, a water usage control system to environment (rivers or the this, which is why the city
advanced tests in terms of virology, parasites, York), and a drop in water resources from rivers prevent it from being wasted, and efforts to sea). However, river water is is planning to build an
toxicity, pesticides, algae toxins, etc., conducted and the water table. eliminate leaks and reduce water consumption often extracted and cleaned additional plant to treat
by external laboratories. Last but not least, For the past 50 years, the solution implemented in public gardens. n to be used as drinking water. and convert even greater
the plant has been entirely automated: “the in Windhoek has proved that it is possible to In Windhoek, the process quantities of wastewater
quality of the water is continually tested thanks offers more direct water into clean, safe drinking
”
to automatic samplers that take samples that treatment. water.
are then analyzed by an accredited laboratory. A
final check performed by the city tests the end
quality once the recycled water has been mixed
with drinking water,” continues Ludwig Narib.
All this effort has now paid off: the capital has
been able to significantly increase its water
KEY FIGURES
resources. “At present,” says a delighted Ludwig
Narib, “26% of the drinking water supplied to • 20,000 m3: this is the volume of wastewater recycled
inhabitants comes from recycling wastewater.” each day by Veolia to supply Windhoek with drinking
water.
Combating water stress • 26% of Windhoek’s drinking water comes from the
Goreangab plant.
Should Windhoek’s experience pave the way • 1968: creation of the Goreangab plant.
for many metropolises that are facing water • 2003: takeover of the plant’s running and maintenance
shortages? by Veolia as part of a consortium.
London and Tokyo are among the eight • 2018: 50th anniversary of Windhoek’s wastewater
metropolises that are struggling the most to recycling facility.
supply their residents with enough water. Just
like Miami, Cairo, São Paulo, Beijing, Bangalore
and Mexico, they are faced with climate or
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