SAINT_GOBAIN_REGISTRATION_DOCUMENT_2017

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An efficient and responsible Group Operational excellence policies

Biodiversity and soil use 2.3.4 Saint-Gobain is committed in particular to those sites with a marked impact or to areas with remarkable biodiversity. Based on its experience in quarries, the Group today has significant internal expertise on the subject. It is now a question of grasping every aspect of the subject. Saint-Gobain has set itself the ambition of preserving, restoring, increasing and enhancing biodiversity, ensuring the sustainable and fair use thereof and managing to involve all parties concerned. A mapping study of all the sites was conducted in 2016 using geographical tools to evaluate their sensitivity to the ecosystems based on their proximity to areas of high biodiversity value. The protected areas considered are areas recognized by the UICN or more locally defined as Natura 2000, RAMSAR areas or other national areas. As such, of more than 6,000 sites (quarries, factories or selling points), 79 have been identified as being within a protected area and will be priority sites for the management of biodiversity. Out of the 160 underground or open quarries operated by the Group throughout the world, the vast majority belong to the Gypsum Activity (131, i.e. 81.9%), which has drawn up a charter for biodiversity in its quarries. The Group’s quarries are operated and then restored with the aim of preserving the environment in accordance with the local rules. During the operating and restoration period, the effects on residents and on the environment are reduced as far as possible: visual impact, dust, noise and vibration, consequences to road traffic and repercussions on the local natural environments. In 2012, Saint-Gobain launched the standard for managing environmental events and feedback “EvE” (Événement Environnemental). The environmental events mainly include accidental discharge into the atmosphere, into the water and onto the soil and events connected with waste, nuisances (smells, noise, etc.) and non-compliance with the regulations in relation to the Group’s environmental management system. The standard also defines criteria for evaluating the severity of an event from three aspects: environmental, regulatory and reputational. The severity of the event is equal to the highest of the three types of severity thus evaluated. The event is declared “major” if it is a major environmental accident whose severity is greater than or equal to 3, on a scale of 0 to 5. The initial stage of application of the standard aims to list all environmental events and to examine their main causes. The second stage aims to reduce the number of these events. Within the scope of the standard: “Environmental event” means an accidental event giving „ rise to or that may give rise to an environmental impact or an environmental non-compliance, whatever the level of severity; Environmental accidents and 2.3.5 nuisances

“Environmental impact” is defined as any negative change „ in the environment resulting from the establishment’s activities, products or services. Environmental impact resulting from the normal operation of the establishment and/or observing the limits authorized by the establishment’s operating permit is excluded. In 2017, one “major” event occurred in our factory in Tarsus, Turkey. It involved a spillage of untreated industrial water into the river during a thunderstorm. A preventive action plan is in progress. Thanks to this standard incorporated into the training program, the Group has a common methodology for ensuring that all its sites progress towards the zero environmental accidents objective. Saint-Gobain is thus developing for the environment the same type of feedback tools as those used for safety. The number of sites that declare events is monitored by the Group’s Executive Committee, in the same way that for safety indicators. Consequences of the Group’s 2.3.6 activities on climate change Climate change represents a challenge but also an opportunity for Saint-Gobain. Its effects are having an influence on numerous ecosystems throughout the world whose consequences could impact the Group’s operations. Present in 67 countries, Saint-Gobain operates in regions with different exposure to climate change. The Group evaluates, controls and aims to reduce the vulnerability of its operations to the consequences of climate change throughout the value chain. Saint-Gobain’s climate strategy is at the heart of its businesses: to design, produce and supply materials and solutions designed for comfort, performance and safety while preserving the environment. This strategy aims to: ensure a sustainable management of resources to limit the „ environmental and financial impact thereof on the value chain; reduce discharges and direct and indirect emissions from „ production activities. The long-term “zero environmental accident” objectives and the maximum reduction in the environmental impact of the Group’s activities call upon all the divisions and define the scope of actions. Saint-Gobain has set itself internal objectives for 2025 vs 2010 for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, water and waste resulting from such operations; improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas „ emissions during the use of products and services. Saint-Gobain offers solutions making it possible to optimize energy efficiency in new construction, renovation and industry, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A significant part of the Saint-Gobain product portfolio consists of solutions that provide environmental benefits on use;

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