Veolia

With three business segments water, waste & energy Veolia is a key player in the circular economy. The Circular Economy Act represents a major opportunity to enhance the existing regulatory framework for waste, creating a genuine market for recycled materials and ensuring fair competition with virgin and fossil-based materials.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Introduction Veolia is a global leader in the water, waste, and energy management sectors, delivering essential services, innovative technologies, and optimised solutions worldwide. A significant portion of our services is provided to municipalities and awarded through competitive public procurement procedures.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

Europe needs an industrial policy that simultaneously delivers decarbonisation, resilience and strategic autonomy. In this context, Veolia welcomes the presentation of the Industrial Accelerator Act. Veolia supports in particular the Commissions choice to include local content and/or low-carbon criteria in public procurement and public support schemes, for some strategic sectors.

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the Commission proposal to revise the Renewable Energy Directive.Taking into account our experience in the field of energy transition and drawing on our expertise of managing transition plans in the water, waste and energy fields, we want to propose the following recommendations for the European policymakers who will shape the final version of REDIII.

Veolia welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to assess the possibility to revise the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII) and would like to make the following recommendations for the impact assessment. Increasing the general and sectoral targets for renewable energy: In accordance with the results of the impact assessment published on September 17 for 2030 CO2 emission target of 55%, it seems necessary to…

Veolia is the global leader in optimised resource management. With over 163 000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries.

Veolia welcomes the European Commission's initiative to review the EU Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act. We share the goal of reducing the reporting burden and associated administrative costs stemming from EU regulations, while fully supporting the overall direction of the Green Deal.

Veolia welcomes the Commissions intent to review the EU taxonomy environmental delegated act, and our company shares the ambition to reduce the burden and the administrative costs associated with reporting obligations derived from EU rules, while not changing course with the direction of travel as set out in the Green Deal.

Veolia welcomes the Commissions intent to review the EU taxonomy climate delegated act, and our company shares the ambition to reduce the burden and the administrative costs associated with reporting obligations derived from EU rules, while not changing course with the direction of travel as set out in the Green Deal.

Veolia is the global leader in optimised resource management. The Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

We welcome the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which should focus on the effective reduction of the energy consumption of the European building stock. In reaction to this recast, we would like to emphasize the following guiding principles that can be translated into concrete amendments of the text.

On 22 February 2021, the European Commission published its inception impact assessment for the Revision of the Energy Performance Directive. Given the challenges of decarbonising the EU building stock identified in the Renovation Wave communication, we agree that the existing legislation is not sufficient to achieve the goal of minimising the carbon footprint of the built environment.

Veolia supports the European Commissions project to simultaneously streamline and facilitate compliance with EU sustainability reporting while maintaining an ambitious framework. Veolia is satisfied to see that the Double-Materiality principles remain at the core of the EUs approach to sustainability policy. Veolia also welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft delegated act.

Veolia is the global leader in optimised resource management. The Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

We welcome the European Commissions proposal for a Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) put forward in November last year with the aim to develop a trustworthy system to quantify and valorise removals and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The proposal outlines the start of a process that is much needed for this essential sector.

The heating and cooling sector represents significant decarbonization potential in Europe, accounting for 50% of energy consumption and 27% of CO emissions. District heating and cooling (DHC) networks currently serve over 7 million Europeans, with 42.6% of energy sourced from renewables and waste heat.

Veolia welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Together with other proposed initiatives within the Fit-for-55 Package, the new EED can contribute to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 55% by 2030, while consolidating the EU’s role as a global leader in energy efficiency and the overall energy transition.

Veolia welcomes the European Commission initiative to revise the Energy Efficiency Directive, as announced in the EU Green Deal Communication. Efficient use of energy is key to achieve the Green Deal objectives. The revision seems necessary as preliminary estimates show that even if the 2020 target might be achieved due to COVID19 effect, there are very little chances the 2030 targets will be achieved.

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the Commission proposal to revise thoroughly the European Emission Trading System. The European ambition of -55% of CO2 emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 requires a strong and efficient system.

As data shows, the EU ETS has been an effective tool for reducing CO2 emissions in the sectors covered by it. But there is a need to strengthen the system to enable a delivery of necessary emissions reductions and by doing so, to deliver a robust CO2 price.

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the Commission proposal to revise the Energy Taxation Directive. By focusing on environmental performance of energy products as well as the implementation of the polluter-pays principle, the revised ETD will effectively incentivise energy efficiency and decarbonisation efforts.

Following the publication of the EU Green Deal in December, the Commission has announced the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive (hereafter “ETD”). The 2003 Energy Taxation Directive is obsolete and needs to be reviewed so that it provides an effective framework to Member States to reach their decarbonisation targets and facilitate a smooth functioning of the internal market.

To enhance Eu independence from fossil fuels and geopolitical tensions, the European Union should accelerate the deployment of energy sources as well as energy efficiency. Veolia is the global champion of ecological transformation with a strong footprint in Europe providing flexibility solutions to district heating and cooling networks, manages energy efficiency projects for buildings and industries, operates…

Veolia welcomes the Commissions initiative to review the EU taxonomy climate delegated act, and our company shares the ambition to reduce the burden and the administrative costs associated with reporting obligations derived from EU rules, while not changing course with the direction of travel as set out in the Green Deal. You will find our contribution attached.

In December 2025, the European Commission presented a Communication on Accelerating Europe's transition to a circular economy to boost plastic circularity (the 'Winter Package') as the EU response to the crisis faced by plastics recyclers.

Veolia strongly supports the EU Strategy on biodiversity and shares answers to the Inception impact assessment. The plan to increase and strengthen the EU network of protected areas needs measures and monitoring that are concrete and readily understood by all actors for swift implementation: we suggest to include broad no-regret measures obligations (ex.

Veolia welcomes the Commission’s proposal to revise the Industrial Emission Directive in an effort to support the EU Green Deal’s objectives and stands ready to support its implementation as the newly created champion of ecological transformation.

Veolia is the global leader in optimised resource management. With over 170,000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries.

VEOLIA is the global leader in optimised resource management. VEOLIA designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions. With the number of electric vehicles on the road around the world expected to increase from eight million in 2020 to 116 million by 2030, access to raw materials will become a strategic challenge.

VEOLIA is the global leader in optimised resource management. VEOLIA designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries. With the number of electric vehicles on the road around the world expected to increase from eight million in 2020 to 116 million by 2030, access to raw materials will become a strategic challenge.

Please find attached Veolia's contribution to the European Commission's consultation on the Roadmap towards Nature Credits. Our key recommendations are: 1° Establish a high-integrity, science-based EU system compatible with existing legislation, with clear eligibility criteria, ecosystem-specific methodologies, and safeguards against reversals and double counting.

Veolia welcomes the revision of the ELV Directive as a way to increase the contribution of ELV management to the circular economy in line with the Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The ELV Directive has been instrumental in better managing vehicles once they become waste and Veolia calls for an ambitious revision based on the following key principles: 1/ Facilitating dismantling and recycling by…

Veolia supports the goal of reducing microplastics released into the environment by 30% by 2030, and the list of envisaged measures. Owing to the state of play, two main and pressing actions are needed in parallel: pollution prevention as close as possible to the sources of microplastics, and the standardization of analytical methods to ensure data comparability.

Veolia is firmly opposed to the proposed fuel exempt accounting methodology, which jeopardizes the credibility of recycling industry The Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) is targeting the implementation of a circular economy for plastics, based on a robust traceability, driven by the effective implementation of circular polymers back in the PET and beverage bottles offered to the European consumers.

The European plastic recycling sector is at a crossroads. As a global leader in environmental services, Veolia believes that the definition of "sustainable recycling technologies must evolve from a mere accounting exercise into a rigorous tool for industrial decarbonization. To achieve circularity, we must implement a legally binding hierarchy of recycling technologies. 1.

As a leading European mechanical recycler, Veolia welcomes the entry into force of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which serves as a decisive lever for packaging circularity in Europe. However, the success of these objectives depends entirely on the robustness of the upcoming secondary legislation. 1.

VEOLIA welcomes the revision of the Regulation on shipments of waste As a company carrying out waste management activities across Europe, VEOLIA is directly impacted by the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR). The review process is a timely initiative as there are a number of concerns that need to be addressed in order to speed up the implementation of the legislation and to respond to future European and international…

VEOLIA is the global leader in optimised resource management. As a company carrying out waste management activities across Europe, Veolia is directly impacted by the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR). The evaluation process is a timely initiative as a number of concerns deserve to be addressed in order to step up the implementation of the legislation and to respond to future european and international developments…

The heating and cooling sector represents enormous decarbonisation potential, accounting for half of Europe's energy consumption and 27% of CO emissions. District heating and cooling networks already deliver clean energy to over 77 million Europeans, with 42.6% of their energy sourced from renewables and waste heat (Source EHP).

Veolia welcomes the timely publication by the European Commission of a recast of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. We support the inclusion in the proposal of updated targets for urban pollution control, water and energy efficiency, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: this new Directive will help meet the challenges of the 21st century, including improving access to sanitation for all, and…

Veolia welcomes the Inception Impact Assessment on the revision of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). Two issues do not feature explicitly in these early directions: - Access to Sanitation: It is fundamental that the Human Right to Water and Sanitation is translated into EU law, recalling that SDG 6 aims to grant access to sanitation for all by 2030.

Veolia recommends that the future EU Water Resilience Research and Innovation Strategy focus on two priorities: accelerating the transition from innovation to commercial deployment, and targeting strategic needs for a resilient, circular and sovereign water economy.

The European Digital Action Plan for the water sector presents a strategic opportunity to enhance EU competitiveness. As the digital share of the value chain grows, Europe faces both unprecedented opportunity and critical challenge: greater dependence on foreign technologies could lead to value leakage outside Europe and weaken the EU's industrial base, sovereignty and long-term economic performance.

Ensuring environmental security has become critical for resilience and sovereignty at all territorial levels. In this volatile international context, protecting the European common market from energy disruptions is a prerequisite for maintaining industrial competitiveness.

1. Core principles for recycled content eligibility for packaging (i) For packaging produced or filled in the EU, only European (EU, EFTA,UK) recyclates shall count toward the recycled content targets. (ii) For packaging filled outside the EU, the mirror clause mechanism applies and recycled plastics can count towards the targets if originating from EU or from third countries and facilities where equivalent EU…

Veolia welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to revise rules regarding air quality as announced in the European Green Deal and its zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment. We support the need to draw on the lessons learnt from the Fitness Check of the Ambient Air Quality Directives.

On 11 December 2019, the Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal, setting out its roadmap towards a new growth policy for Europe. In line with the objective of achieving EU climate neutrality by 2050 in an effective and fair manner, the European Green Deal proposed a Just Transition Mechanism, including a Just Transition Fund, to leave no one behind.

Veolia welcomes the initiative to provide the EU with an action plan for better nutrient management, with the aim of ensuring the Union's food security. This includes reducing the dependency of the Union’s agriculture on single supplies, stopping eutrophication of inland and marine waters, and tackling the challenges of climate change and energy transition.

In February 2025, the Clean Industrial Deal set rules to enhance decarbonisation and competitiveness of the EU Common Market, aiming to position Europe as the leader of the circular economy by 2030. With a presence in 17 Member States and more than 131,000 employees within the European Union, Veolia, the world leader in environmental services across water, waste and energy, is a key European player in this…

Veolia supports the Directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law (ECD) and shares answers to the Inception impact assessment. The EU needs to strengthen its efforts to combat environment crime and thus contribute to the goals of the European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.