On September 22, the globally leading environmental services company Veolia released its “Veolia China 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report” in Shanghai. This is the first ESG report issued by Veolia for Mainland China. It comprehensively presents the company’s 2024 sustainable development practices in China across three key dimensions: environmental, social, and governance, demonstrating a firm commitment to its mission of “Resourcing the World” and supporting China’s ecological transition and dual carbon goals.

The achievements highlighted in this ESG report stem from Veolia China’s deep implementation of the Group’s GreenUp strategy. As Veolia’s global ecological transition action plan for 2024-2027, the GreenUp strategy focuses on accelerating the deployment of more economical and replicable environmental solutions. In its Chinese market practice, Veolia has deeply integrated this strategic requirement with local needs, basing its efforts on China’s dual carbon goals to provide solid support for the continuous improvement of ESG performance.

In the environmental dimension, Veolia China continued to focus on three major areas in 2024: decarbonization, resource recovery, and pollution elimination. Regarding decarbonization, innovative solutions helped avoid 496,160 tons of CO2 emissions throughout the year. For example, the Veolia Harbinger Southwest Municipal Heating Project utilizes waste heat recovery technology, reducing carbon emissions by 84,000 tons annually. The Veolia Yibin Project in Sichuan uses local agricultural and forestry waste as feedstock for biomass cogeneration, providing steam from renewable sources to over 10 industrial enterprises, significantly lowering their industrial carbon footprint. In resource recovery, 68,517 tons of plastic were recycled. Veolia’s subsidiary, a leader in recycled plastics, provides various high-quality recycled plastic products for the automotive, food, and home appliance industries. In 2024, Veolia China saved over 60.25 million cubic meters of water. In pollution elimination, Veolia possesses comprehensive capabilities for hazardous waste management, operating and managing over 10 hazardous waste treatment projects with a total permitted treatment capacity exceeding 1 million tons per year.

On the social dimension, Veolia is committed to growing together with its employees and communities. In 2024, total investment in employee training exceeded 17.03 million RMB, with average training hours per employee reaching approximately 47 hours. Social dialogue mechanisms covered nearly 87% of employees. The company strengthened its diverse and inclusive culture, implementing the Veolia Cares program which provides employees with benefits such as paid parental leave and health security. Supporting regional development, Veolia’s supply chain indirectly supported employment for 36,825 people. The company actively engaged in collaborations with schools and communities to promote environmental education. For instance, it conducted environmental research projects with Tsinghua University, allowing students to gain on-site understanding of environmental project operations. During World Water Day, public welfare activities were held at the Niukouyu Wetland in Beijing to educate the public about water knowledge.

At the governance level, Veolia strictly adheres to compliance and strengthens supply chain management. In 2024, 2,070 personnel participated in various compliance training sessions. The company established a whistleblowing system to firmly uphold compliance standards. Significant progress was made in building a sustainable supply chain, with local procurement accounting for 97% of suppliers. Efforts led to 6,400 suppliers signing commitment letters outlining requirements they must follow regarding business ethics, health and safety, and environmental protection.

The “Veolia China 2024 ESG Report” was prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the International Financial Reporting Standards S2 (Climate-related Disclosures), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs 2030), providing detailed disclosures on the management and performance of core ESG topics.

It was emphasized that the entire ESG practice is closely aligned with China’s dual carbon goals and integrated into the core of the business, rather than being an add-on. ESG is viewed as a value-added concept, not a cost item. The release of the ESG report showcases a long-term commitment to the Chinese market. The goal is to continuously innovate and improve, deepening collaboration with stakeholders. ESG is not just a unilateral effort by the company; it requires participation from government, clients, communities, and suppliers to collectively advance ESG principles.

Veolia Harbinger Southwest Municipal Heating Project

The Veolia Harbinger Southwest Municipal Heating Project is a modern district heating system developed by the French utility company Veolia. It represents a significant infrastructure investment to provide efficient, centralized heating to a southwestern urban area, utilizing sustainable energy sources where possible. As a contemporary project, its history is one of recent planning and implementation aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving urban energy resilience.

Veolia Yibin Project

The Veolia Yibin Project is a major water treatment and environmental initiative in Yibin, China, a city at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jinsha rivers. Launched as a public-private partnership, the project was established to modernize the city’s water supply and wastewater management infrastructure. It represents a significant foreign investment in China’s environmental sector, aiming to improve water quality and public health for the local community.

Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University is a prestigious public research university in Beijing, China, founded in 1911 on the site of a former royal garden. It was initially established as a preparatory school for students sent by the Chinese government to study in the United States. Today, it is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and the world, renowned for its programs in engineering, science, and technology.

Niukouyu Wetland

Niukouyu Wetland is a restored ecological area located in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Historically, the site was a polluted brick factory and quarry, but it was transformed through conservation efforts into a thriving wetland habitat. Today, it serves as an important sanctuary for biodiversity and a popular educational destination for eco-tourism.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards are the world’s most widely adopted framework for sustainability reporting. They were first launched in 2000, evolving from a single guideline into a comprehensive set of modular standards that enable organizations to be transparent about their economic, environmental, and social impacts. The GRI Standards are designed to help businesses and other organizations communicate their contributions—positive or negative—toward sustainable development.

International Financial Reporting Standards S2

This is not a place or cultural site. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 is a global accounting standard, specifically focused on climate-related financial disclosures. It was issued by the IFRS Foundation’s International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in June 2023 to provide a consistent framework for companies to report on the financial risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. They consist of 17 interconnected goals that build upon the earlier Millennium Development Goals, aiming to address global challenges including inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. The SDGs represent a comprehensive, shared blueprint for peace and a sustainable future.

UN SDGs 2030

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are a collection of 17 interconnected goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” by addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. The 2030 Agenda sets a 15-year timeline for achieving these goals, aiming to transform our world by the year 2030.