Enabling Critical Infrastructure
Veolia North America has been ranked the top environmental services company in the United States for three consecutive years by the Engineering News Record, is the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider, and is a hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader.
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Description | UN Sustainable Development Goal | 2023 North America Result | 2024 North America Target | 2024 North America Result |
| Ethics and Compliance | Ethics and compliance index (based on employee survey) | 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 91% | >88% | 90% |
Operating Responsibly
We take our role in driving sustainable economic growth very seriously, striving to provide returns for our shareholders while also protecting them from risk, and ensuring ethical conduct in everything we do.
Climate Risk
Veolia Group is firmly committed to tackling climate change through innovative approaches, and is actively working to mitigate climate risks that require focused attention and action. Managing climate-related risks — including the physical impacts of climate change and the transition risks associated with climate mitigation efforts — is at the very core of our mission and strategic plan. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint across operations and helping customers reduce theirs. In the future, we will intensify our efforts to comprehensively evaluate climate adaptation risks impacting our operations and value chain. Addressing climate change risks is fundamental to our commitment to sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.
Risk Management
In our North America region, Veolia recognizes the importance of proactively identifying and managing risks to ensure sustainable growth and operational resilience. We have implemented a comprehensive Risk Management Framework overseen by a dedicated Risk Management Department. As part of Veolia Group’s global risk mapping exercise, we meet regularly with senior functional and operational leaders across the organization. This allows us to identify, analyze and assess existing and emerging risks. The risks are ranked by Veolia’s North America Risk Management Department, validated by our CEO and CFO, and incorporated into the Global Risk Map. An annual update is presented to Veolia North America Region’s Executive Committee to ensure leadership alignment and sound governance. Through our responsible and forward-thinking risk management process, we aim to anticipate and effectively manage potential risks.
In order to further strengthen our commitment to robust risk management, in 2023 we established a regional Enterprise Risk Management Committee. This cross-functional committee of senior leaders meets quarterly to identify, assess and respond to existing and emerging risks throughout the year, complementing our annual risk mapping exercise. To drive accountability and expertise, we have designated Risk Owners and Risk Sponsors for each of our top risks. These experts closely monitor risks within their respective domains and ensure timely mitigation actions.
Ethics and Compliance
At Veolia, ethics and compliance are non-negotiable. As a prominent French company, we adhere to the stringent French anti-corruption law, Sapin II, renowned globally for its rigor. Our comprehensive compliance program encompasses codes of conduct, third-party diligence and internal controls.
Employees have access to two whistleblower systems — one tailored for North America and another for global ethics concerns. Both systems support anonymous reporting and uphold a zero-tolerance policy for retaliation, encouraging employees to utilize them.
Our region’s chief compliance officer manages the compliance program, while the Veolia Group’s independent Ethics Committee is authorized to investigate whistleblower reports and enforce the core values outlined in the Veolia Group’s Ethics Guide across the organization.
By prioritizing ethics and compliance in all our endeavors, we ensure the achievement of our business and sustainability objectives with integrity.
In 2023 we finalized an updated North America Corruption Risk Map. This map pinpoints business lines and regions with elevated corruption risks, enabling the implementation of appropriate controls. The risk map is a strategic tool to systematically mitigate corruption risks, reinforcing our leadership in customer service and trust.
In 2024 Veolia aligned its GreenUp growth ambitions with a strong focus on ethics and compliance. In North America, thousands of employees undergo annual formal ethics and compliance training, supplemented by regular presentations, communications and seminars on related topics.
By prioritizing ethics and compliance in all our endeavors, we ensure the achievement of our business and sustainability objectives with integrity. This commitment is continuing in 2025.
Report a concern anonymously to Veolia's Global Ethics Alert System through "Whispli" online https://veolia.whispli.com/ethique or by phone @ +1 617 655 8044
Report a concern anonymously by using the Veolia North America Ethics & Compliance Helpline online or by phone @ +1 844 286 0002