17SUEZ

DO WE NEED QUOTAS TO EXPAND THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS MORE QUICKLY? The new SUEZ Sustainable Development Roadmap sets a target for women in management of 33%, and this target is incorporated into the calculation of executives' variable compensation in the long term. In 2017, the level was 28.4% (excluding GE Water). Although this represents clear progress in recent years, the result raises the question of the need for further measures to achieve the target. Women are often the first to oppose quotas, because they see them as weakening their legitimacy. However, imposing quotas has progressed parity, particularly in politics. To accelerate the process, SUEZ has decided to set a level of at least 50% of women in the recruitments of managers. The Group is also committed to long-term initiatives to encourage women to try careers that are traditionally more male-dominated, and to support women's career development through mentoring.

WHO WILL PAY FOR A TRULY RESPONSIBLE PROCUREMENT POLICY? As an operator drawing on a multitude of skills and technologies in over 70 countries, SUEZ has more than 120,000 first-tier suppliers. In addition, the prices of water, sanitation and waste management services are often undervalued, particularly in emerging countries. Under these conditions, how can we define CSR clauses that do not transfer the load on to second, third or fourth-tier suppliers? Or that are too difficult to respect in certain countries? The solution involves a precise mapping of the risks, a definition of priorities, the implementation of appropriate action plans and finally suitable monitoring, evaluation and reporting. SUEZ works with industrial players facing the same issues, to define the most appropriate monitoring indicators and to coordinate their efforts in controlling and reducing the risks based on geographical locations.

THE DILEMMAS OF A RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Companies are often faced with the dilemmas of choosing between different approaches which, taken separately, are legitimate. SUEZ has decided to express these dilemmas. After the impact of digital technology on employment and the limits of zero waste in 2016, the following are examples of issues debated with stakeholders in 2017.

THE TRENDS OF A FAST-MOVING WORLD