Illustrator Dennis Balogh

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Jean-Louis Chaussade

How is the world 
economy changing?

The earth is outgrowing the linear economic model we’ve always relied on, which exhausts resources without controlling either by-products or waste, insists Jean-Louis Chaussade, CEO of the Paris-based water and waste services provider Suez Environnement Co. (NYSE Euronext: SEV). In its place, “a new, circular economy is developing,” he explains, pointing to recent wide swings in prices of commodities and increasing environmental concern from both governments and populations. “The circular economy is the idea whereby secondary raw materials will be able to face up to the needs of the planet, thereby drastically reducing our carbon footprint,” says the 58-year-old Frenchman.

To implement this circular economy, Chaussade recommends three key movements: “Societies need to achieve a higher rate of recycling; suppliers must provide better quality of reused water and secondary raw materials; and governments should implement tax incentives favoring recycling,” he notes. Suez spent a reported $65 million in 2009 on more than 65 R&D programs in 200 laboratories around the world.

The company works closely with municipalities to offer sustainable development solutions. “We are concentrating our research on applications aiming at improving our operational performance — 
anticipating and controlling health and environmental risks and achieving energy efficiency — and perfecting our technical expertise — improving treatment of sludge, desalination and reuse of wastewater,” says Chaussade. “Specifically,” he adds, “we seek to develop the best technical solutions that allow society to adapt to climate change and prevent its reinforcement, preserve natural resources, and protect the environment and our quality of life.” — Sharon Kahn