| Companies carry out their business activities with the aim of achieving their corporate objectives while taking full account of the interests of ‘planet, people and profit’. In our information society, this means that they also have to be accountable. Via its website, Cosun reports on its main achievements in the field of the environment (planet) in 2006. The report provides an insight into the company’s progress and its objectives. The aim is to show the big picture, so that there is no danger of the developments being obscured by the details. The report deals with production sites that are owned 100%.
Summary of the 2006 results
Emission permits
In 2006, trade in carbon dioxide emissions was again an important factor in the implementation of the company’s environment policy. Cosun sold its small number of excess permits. This required considerable time and effort. The price of carbon dioxide emission allowances fluctuated enormously during the past year, as no experience has yet been gained in trading them. The allocation of permits for the period 2008-2013 is such that the quotas for existing companies have been cut by about 11 percent, despite industrial growth and the extension of the trading scheme to cover the greenhouse sector. It is expected that Cosun will be informed of its definitive allocation of permits in the course of 2007. This is certain to be tighter, so energy savings will remain an important objective.
Environmental information system
In 2006, the environmental information system was expanded still further. In early 2007 a start was made on monitoring the costs of water treatment.
Environmental management system
The goal of implementing an environmental management system at all the Dutch sites has been achieved. There have been some teething problems with regard to the introduction of environmental management at a number of international sites.
Biogas production
Research into the generation of biogas from organic products is continuing. The plant construction study has started. One critical uncertainty factor is the manner in which the government intends to handle the subsidy element. Calculations have shown that this element is crucial to the feasibility of the project.
Essential demands on packaging
The introduction of an administration system for documenting the essential demands on packaging is proceeding laboriously. The system is well thought through, but labour-intensive. Moreover, scarcely any checks are carried out.
Outlook for 2007
The reinforced focus on energy saving has resulted in a significant decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. Emissions of nitrogen oxides have also fallen.
The upward trend in water consumption has been halted, despite another increase in production. Discharges of oxygen depleting substances have been cut. The one exception here is SVZ. This increase is a consequence of major accidents and is certainly not a trend.
The waste situation gives cause for concern. More waste is being produced and it is being sorted less efficiently. This trend must be reversed.
During the coming period, priority will be given to the formulation of concepts for converting fermentable waste streams into biogas. We are convinced of the importance of using biogas to supply a large part of our energy needs. We assume that the government will – again – support this aim.
In addition, we shall continue to chart and administer our environmental performance. Controlling our environmental costs will remain an important aspect of this.
In the course of this year a management system will be introduced to control packaging consumption.
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