Source: chinadaily

Suez has great confidence in China's environmental market as the country is putting the development of the green economy high on its agenda, according to Steve Clark, CEO of Suez Asia.

One of the world's leading water and waste management services companies, Suez entered China in the 1970s. There it witnessed the country's rapid development in combining economic growth and environmental protection.

China is targeting a drop of about 3 percent in energy consumption per unit of GDP and a continued reduction in the discharge of major pollutants in 2021, Suez said, based on the Government Work Report delivered at the annual session of the National People's Congress on March 5. The country will enhance pollution prevention and control, ecological conservation and promote continuous environmental improvement.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, China plans to cut energy consumption per unit of GDP by 13.5 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 18 percent.

These policies mean great opportunities to companies like Suez, Clark said.

"I believe that in the next 10 to 15 years, China will become the largest environmental market. Our activities in China currently account for 10 percent of Suez's global portfolio. This number keeps growing,” he said.

"Throughout our time in China, we've been working together with our local partners in helping authorities and industrial clients develop innovative solutions for climate change and sustainable resource management," he said.

In January this year, Suez announced the acquisition of its partner NWS Holdings' non-controlling stakes in all their common businesses in China, as part of an effort for Suez to further expand its business in the country.

To date, Suez has managed 34 solid-waste projects and operated 39 water projects in China. Its smart and environmental solutions have been applied in places such as Shanghai, Chongqing, Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

According to Clark, the company's integrated solutions applied to the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park have helped the park set a global example in ecological protection and the circular economy. Its innovative solutions on wastewater treatment in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, help protect the integrity of the ecosystem and the biodiversity of the local national nature reserves.

Apart from the industrial field, the company also has offered services for cities' environmental management and protection.

Suez has built and operates the first food waste treatment facility, O·Park1 in Hong Kong, which turns food waste into electricity that goes into the city's power grid. Its smart and efficient water management in Macao has been recognized as a benchmark by the Chinese water industry, while its waste-to-energy plant in Taiwan helps to turn refuse into renewable energy, according to the executive.

"Our long-term commitment to this region remains as unwavering as our confidence in the local market remains high," Clark said.

In 2019, Suez announced Shaping Suez 2030, a comprehensive strategic plan to ready the group for the opportunities and challenges of the next decade.

In implementing the global strategic plan, Suez said, it is determined to increase by 50 percent its investment in research and development, innovation and digitalization by 2023. This is to bring more innovative and customized solutions to help China, as well as economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, achieve their ambitious environmental goals.

As China accelerates green development, the country has announced the ambitious goal to hit peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The goal is in line with Suez's strategic plan and the company's long-term development goal, Clark noted.

"In many parts of the world, governments are actively enforcing policies and putting the necessary frameworks into place, which shows we are on the right track. China is a good case in point, having kick-started a campaign to achieve peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060," the executive said.

"At Suez, we have supported both the government and clients to realize the ambitious environmental goals. In China, it is very simple: We are aiming to be the country's best environmental company that outperforms all others in operational excellence, stakeholder relations and sustainable asset management," he said.

"By delivering our innovative and sustainable resource management solutions, we aim to further develop our water and waste management businesses, expand our geographical footprint and strengthen the circular economy, helping to shape a sustainable environment for China," he added.