Lifecycle analysis

Designed to shed light on the decisions made by governments and companies within the framework of sustainable development, the lifecycle analysis (LCA) method provides an overall and quantified vision of the impact of a product or activity on the environment. By raising the awareness of the effects associated with the implementation of a regulation, strategy, production process or technology, it promotes damage limitation actions. This is a crucial tool which enhances environmental responsibility and prevents pollution transfer to our neighbors or children.

Now systematically implemented in Veolia Environnement's research programs, LCA is also used to develop decision-making aid tools for the Group's operating personnel.

It helps optimize processes and make coherent choices to protect our planet. This evolving process is the subject of fundamental research on an international scale.

Our research aims at assessing the environmental performance of Veolia Environnement's activities, notably the impact on climate change and energy efficiency.

Our work focuses on:

• assessing methods analyzing the impact of our processes throughout their lifecycle;
• carrying out ecological assessments;
• creating environmental decision-making aid tools;
• improving LCA methodology applied to our businesses.

2007 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• deployment of Eolia-Sludge, a decision-making aid tool for the treatment of wastewater sludge developed since 2002;
• critical analysis of standard environmental assessment software (EASEWASTE, "carbon footprint" tools);
• initial results with regard to the LCA of drinking water production processes;
• finalization of a comparative biofuel LCA;
• identification of greenhouse gas measurement issues in the waste sector;
• proposed methodologies for the allocation of the environmental impact of biofuels