Ensuring a sustainable management of water resources

• for civil society: to reduce the impacts of Saint-Gobain’s activities on water resources, whether in terms of water uptake or discharge, as much as possible. Its long-term objective is to withdraw as little water as possible and to aim for “zero discharge” of industrial water in liquid form, while avoiding generating new impacts for other natural environments and/or for other parties involved. The Group makes every effort to:

- reduce withdrawals from the natural environment; 
- not degrade water quality by reducing and controlling discharges into the natural environment and preventing any accidental pollution; 
- not compete with local populations for access to drinking water.

• for suppliers: The Group pays special attention to the quality of its supplies and the performance of their suppliers regarding sustainable management of resources. Among the key points of the Suppliers Charter: 

-    the reduction of their impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity;
-    the optimization of their consumption of natural resources and energy;
-    the reduction of the quantity of waste issued and the execution of recycling and valorization solutions. 

• for local communities: ensure management of these issues locally. For example, in Chennai (India), the Saint-Gobain production complex – which includes Saint-Gobain Glass and Sekurit factories, as well as a research center – now contributes to the conservation urban biodiversity. All the rainwater falling on its roof is collected by a harvesting system before being used to irrigate an urban forest. During the monsoon season, its tanks also store water that will then be used to supply the factory, removing any need to take water from the local supply network.

SDG targets

6.3: Total water discharge

6.3: Water discharges into the surrounding environment

6.3: Water discharges into the municipal waste water collection system

6.4: Monitoring the goal to reduce water discharge by 80% between 2010 and 2025

6.4: Total water withdrawal

6.4: Surface water withdrawal on sites with very high water stress

6.5: Quantity of water reused in production processes via internal recycling systems

6.5: Percentage of water reused in production processes through internal recycling systems

6.5: Monitoring the goal to reduce non-recovered waste by 50% between 2010 and 2025

6.5: Quantity of waste generated

Other indicator

CDP Water Disclosure