Implications of global warming

One of the main lines of action in the environmental management system is the knowledge of the impact on climate change by Aqualia’s activity and its mitigation.

The implementation and certification of the environmental (ISO 14001) and energy (ISO 50001) management systems not only involved the improvement of the efficiency in the use of energy sources but also directly contributed to the fight against global warming by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases to the air.

For this reason and within the framework of the FCC Group’s 2020 climate change strategy, Aqualia has worked since 2012 on the continuous improvement of its integrated management system with the fundamental objective that includes both the management of the quality of processes, products and services and environmental management.

Measurement of the carbon footprint in the entire activity

For the second consecutive year, Aqualia has calculated the carbon footprint for the entire activity of managing the integrated water cycle in the company. The calculation was verified by AENOR and entered in the carbon footprint register of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing, Food and the Environment.

The energy efficiency measures implemented contributed to a reduction of 15,5% of total CO₂ emissions to the air in 2016.

With this initiative, the company aims to know and assess the impact of its greenhouse gas emissions to identify opportunities for reducing and/or compensating the carbon footprint.

Based on the results, an action plan has been defined that involves specific actions that contribute to reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

• Internal and external communication and awareness campaigns.
• 2015 – 2016 carbon footprint reduction plan (under review). Main actions:
  • Reduction of Scope 2 emissions: reduction of energy consumption by implementing and certifying an energy SG (ISO 50001).
  • Reduction of Scope 3 emissions: reduction of total nitrogen release concentration in treatment.
  • Increase of fixed emissions: increased destination of sludge for agriculture.
  • Increase in emissions avoided: increase in output of biogas for boilers and increase in the power output produced.
  • Renewal of vehicle fleet by acquiring electric vehicles.
  • Participation in a MAPAMA CLIMA project.
• Extension of the project internationally: Czech Republic and Portugal:
  • During the year, the carbon footprint of SmVaK in the Czech Republic was defined and measures were taken to avoid the emission of more than 5.000 tonnes of CO₂ a year.
  • During 2017 the carbon footprint for Aqualia’s activity in Portugal will also be checked.