Climate change, or the climate crisis, is a significant global issue, and its consequences are being felt more intensely with each passing year.
Climate change refers to observed statistical changes in the earth’s regional and global climate, also known as global warming. Scientific evidence is clear, human activities have been major contributors to the rapid acceleration we see today.
At Veolia Water Technologies, we are taking action to fight climate change and encouraging our customers to do the same. We recognize the world does not have time for a slow and steady ecological transition, we need immediate ecological transformation. We are focused on providing and creating water technologies to help ensure this revolution.
Our latest report explores the five key megatrends that are impacting the climate change movement.
Key trend #1: Extreme weather events
Key trend #2: Mitigating the impact of climate change
Key trend #3: Adapting to climate change
Key trend #4: Financial instruments supporting sustainability
Key trend #5: Reaching net zero
Intending to open communication channels between our stakeholders to share ideas and challenge the status quo, these are the trends we believe will prove vital in our fight against climate change.
Inside the report: five key trends and solutions to fight climate change
Like most countries in the Mediterranean, Turkey is increasingly vulnerable to climate change. As a result, the country ratified the Paris Agreement and released its roadmap to reach net zero by 2053. Ahead of the game is Pınar Süt, one of the country’s biggest dairy producers. Since 2011 it has performed corporate carbon footprint calculations and accordingly, has taken action to reduce its carbon emissions. Between the years 2015 to 2020 it achieved a 13% reduction with the help of biogas production.
In Kuala Lumpur, the Government's Economic Transformation Program was put in place to transform the country into a high-income nation through sustainable policies. Putting this program into practice, the Malaysian state-owned company, TRX City Sdn Bhd, launched the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), a new international trading hub and financial district with alternative and sustainable solutions at its core. Thanks to wastewater treatment and reuse, it will reduce its carbon emissions by 40%, freshwater consumption by 50%, and it will divert 70% of its waste from landfill.
With its warm tropical climate and due to climate change, Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil, has experienced an increase in frequent heavy rainfall in recent years. Despite ongoing efforts from the water utility, Interagua, to reduce flooding, problems caused by the complexity of the aged sewage system became a major local challenge. To solve the challenge they invested in Hubgrade Performance’s sewer module to leverage crucial real-time data such as rainfall, water level, flow data, and stormwater forecasting, the module helps increase the sewer system's capacity to handle excessive flows.
Canada has faced several extreme weather events in recent years, including the Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta, which caused damages exceeding $9.9 billion CAD. At times, the local water treatment plant was working at 150% of its design capacity, partly because firefighters relied on the drinking water distribution system to tackle the blaze, and also because fire damage caused severe system pressure loss. Actiflo® is the Veolia-patented, high-performance clarifier that was able to handle the pressure owing to its very short hydraulic retention time.
To help lessen the impacts of climate change, cities and companies are investing in technology to optimize their infrastructure and reduce costs, while lowering emissions. In the south of France, the metropolis of Montpellier is upgrading its wastewater treatment plant, Maera, aligned to the national “Climate Air Energy” — a strategy launched to reduce carbon, boost renewable energy production and preserve water resources nationwide. As part of the Maera project, MemGasTM will produce biomethane for the municipality at a low energy consumption with up to 99.5% efficiency.
From municipalities to pharmaceutical, food and beverage and microelectronics we help every industry reduce its emissions.
Our ongoing mission is to work with all of our customers and provide water technology solutions to help decarbonize industry, turn wastewater into a source of affordable and clean energy, and help our cities and industries become more resilient as we adapt to reoccurring climate change disasters.
Technologies
Technologies that help mitigate and adapt to climate change and its impacts
Applications
Applications that help mitigate and adapt to climate change and its impacts
Services
Services that help mitigate and adapt to climate change
FAQ
What is climate change?
Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of Earth's climate patterns, including changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the climate system. It is primarily driven by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agriculture. These activities release greenhouse gasses (GHGs) into the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gasses. These GHGs trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect, which causes the planet's average temperature to rise.
What are the consequences of climate change?
The consequences of climate change are widespread and diverse, affecting various aspects of the environment and human society. Some of the most significant impacts include:
- Rising temperatures: global warmingleads to higher average temperatures, causing heat waves and affecting ecosystems, agriculture, and water resources.
- Extreme weather events: climate change intensifies and alters weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe events like hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires.
- Sea-level rise: as global temperatures rise, polar ice melts, causing sea levels to rise. This can result in coastal erosion, flooding of low-lying areas, and the loss of coastal habitats.
- Biodiversity loss: climate change disrupts ecosystems, leading to shifts in habitat distribution and threatening many plant and animal species with extinction.
- Disruption of agriculture: changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can impact crop yields and food production, leading to potential food shortages and price increases.
- Human health impacts: climate change can exacerbate the spread of diseases, increase the frequency of heat-related illnesses, and negatively affect air quality.
What is being done to prevent climate change?
Efforts to combat climate change involve global cooperation, policy measures, and individual actions. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit global temperature rise and promote sustainable practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This includes transitioning to renewable energy sources, promoting energy efficiency, protecting forests, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Public awareness and collective action are crucial to address the challenges posed by climate change and secure a sustainable future for our planet.