Our policy vision by Bernard Guirkinger

What does “sustainable development” mean for SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT?

Bernard Guirkinger: It means aspiring to harmonious and sustainable development. The notion has increasingly permeated every aspect of our changing contemporary society. It means watching protectively over the environment and safeguarding pleasant and healthy living conditions. It implies paying great attention to social equilibrium, as well as people’s access to services necessary for their daily wellbeing.

Today, we know there are a number of obstacles to achieving balanced development. They include increasingly urgent issues such as depleting non-renewable natural resources, the structural rise in energy price, climate change, and damage to biodiversity.

This is why SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has adopted a dynamic, focused policy, based on 4 priorities and 12 commitments.

How was 2010 for the Group in terms of corporate social responsibility?

Bernard Guirkinger:

Our indicators clearly demonstrate that we have generally improved in terms of non-financial performance. This year, we also wanted to highlight diversity-related issues. We launched a concrete action plan to stress the importance of diversity in the Group’s human resources management policy. The plan focuses on promoting access to jobs and workplace integration. It encourages the hiring and promotion of women, people with disabilities and seniors. Lastly, it stimulates, employee involvement and better quality of life in the workplace.

We also maintained our position in the family of Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and have been co-opted into the Ethibel, ASPI and FTSE4Good Indices.

What is SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT’s strategy for the years ahead?

Bernard Guirkinger: We will continue to exercise the highest professional standards and grow our unique operational expertise in carrying out the missions entrusted to us by our customers. We strive to be a company that listens and works in partnership with local players.

The solutions that we propose aren’t set in stone: we adapt them to the context and to the challenges. We will always search for the best technology. A technology that allows us to deliver essential public services at the lowest price to the widest audience with the least environmental impact. We are and will continue to be a corporation committed to this approach, proud of our local regional roots.