APC 2012 Annual Report Download - page 58

2012 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC56
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
2GREEN AND RESPONSIBLE GROWTH DRIVING ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
Offers
Our hands-on, bottom-up approach to urban effi ciency combines
solutions to all key systems of a city, integration capabilities,
innovative fi nancing mechanisms such as performance contracting
as well as a strong collaborative mindset, with both global players
with complementary capabilities and local players with deep
knowledge of each city’s specifi cations .
Our technology offer comprises products, systems, services and
software, backed by strong process expertise, to improve the
effi ciency of the operation and information architectures:
•solutions for smart energy: smart grid automation, fl exible
distribution, metering management systems, integration of
renewable energy sources, real-time software suites;
•solutions for smart mobility: electric vehicles charging
infrastructure and supervision services, traffi c management
systems, tolling and congestion charging systems, multi-modal
transportation management system;
•solutions for smart water: distribution management system,
leak detection, power, control and security systems integration,
stormwater management, urban fl ooding management;
•solutions for smart buildings: energy effi ciency and security
solutions and services for high-performance buildings, home
energy management systems;
•solutions for smart public services: public safety through video
surveillance and emergency management system, digital city
services platforms, street lighting management system;
•solutions for smart integration: EcoStruxure integrated
architecture for power, security, IT, building and process
management systems, integrated mobility management
platform, security systems and management, intelligent weather
forecasting, energy and environment management information
system.
Recovery service for equipment containing SF6
In the framework of its Planet&Society Barometer for the 2009-
2011 period, Schneider Electric looked to create SF6 gas recovery
processes, for end-of-life products in 10countries, in Europe and
in Asia. SF6 is a gas used as an insulator and/or breaker in medium
voltage devices. SF6 is an extremely powerful greenhouse gas
and therefore requires special treatment to prevent atmospheric
emissions.
The fi rst devices containing SF6 gas sold by Schneider Electric
reached their end-of-life at the start of2000. The objective is to
develop commercial offers that allow customers to dispose of their
end-of-life, SF6 containing devices, in order to completely extract
the gas and recycle it.
At the end of2011, eight countries had implemented a recovery
process with a local service manager, a recovery solution (Schneider
Electric or partner), and appropriate customer tariffs: Australia and
France (since 2009), Sweden (since 2010), Germany, Austria,
Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom (since2011).
In 2012, Schneider Electric structured this process around the
“EoL6” program, which is intended to expand the SF6 end-of-life
product recovery offers. The indicator continues to be monitored
and two new countries have joined the project and completed
the implementation of a recovery process: Switzerland and New
Zealand. For2013, the goal is to reach a total of 12countries.
Note that this year, in France, a new milestone in the development
of the EoL6 program was reached after winning an important fi rst
contract with Er DF, the main French utility. This service will cover
a wide range of SF6 equipment, including Merlin Gerin, Schneider
Electric and Areva. The contract will begin in January2013 and will
run for fi ve years.
In several other countries, specifi c SF6 gas recovery actions have
been implemented: Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Estonia, Ukraine, Ireland, South Africa, Turkey, Vietnam,
Saudi Arabia, etc. However, these countries do not have a
dedicated local system.
Norway implemented a recovery process. SF6 recycling is a legal
obligation and Schneider Electric’s customers work with the public
organizations in charge of electrical and electronic waste recycling.
This country is not included in the indicator.
EoL6 is a service offer that can meet the need for timely recycling
of old appliances (standalone mode) or be grouped with an offer
to upgrade ECOFITTM-type installations (replacing old appliances
with new, higher performance appliances).
2.3 Relations with subcontractors and suppliers
Approach
As a Global Compact signatory, Schneider Electric has been
involved in an ambitious approach to include sustainable
development challenges in the supplier selection and working
processes. This approach is all the more important as Schneider
Electric’s purchases volume represents EUR11.650billion.
Schneider Electric has published a charter for its suppliers,
called the Supplier Guide Book, which includes a large section
on expectations with regard to sustainable development in the
following four areas: health and safety, human rights, ethics and
the environment.
Since 2004, the Group has been encouraging its suppliers to
commit to a sustainable development process. A key performance
indicator was defi ned in the Planet & Society Barometer for the
duration of the 2009-2011 One program: at the end of2011, more
than 50% of Schneider Electric purchases were from suppliers who
had signed the 10 Principles of the Global Compact or the EICC.
With the Connect program, Schneider Electric wants to place itself
in a continuous improvement process as well as follow-up with its
suppliers by encouraging them to make progress according to the
guidelines of ISO26000.