MICHELIN - 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

As of the end of 2008, the Group manufactures 99.5% of its tires
at sites certified ISO 14001. The Group’s two rubber plantations,
the main sites of the Technology Center and all the semi-finished
products facilities were also certified. Although MEMS is not a
preriquisite for ISO 140001 certification, it has clearly helped
achieve it.
2.8.2 Environmental Governance and Internal
Organization
To guarantee the robustness of risk analysis and the relevance
of the solutions that are adopted, Michelin Group has adopted
a network structure to respond to its environment, hygiene,
workplace safety and industrial hazard prevention issues.
The Group’s Environment and Prevention network comprises a
hundred or so experts who operate in different countries and
Product Lines, in addition to a dedicated team in each site. The
head of the Environment and Prevention network reports to the
Group’s Executive Council and manages a dedicated budget.
An improvement objective is defined each year in the Annual Plan
through the MEF indicator (see above). The Group raised its MEF
target from -20% in 2011 to -30% at the end of 2013. The regular
deployment of this objective in all Group operations ensures that
realistic targets are set. Progress in the MEF is reviewed quarterly
by the Prevention and Industrial Performance Department and is
part of the Group’s scorecard.
2.8.3 Employee training and information
MEMS deployment and specific training has raised environmental
awareness on the part of the 88,000 or so employees of Michelin’s
certified sites. The training courses, which are tailored to each
type of workstation, cover the main impact factors specific to site
operations. In addition, employees benefit from regular refresher
courses.
2.9 Provisions for environmental risks,
environment-related expenditure
The aggregate “environmental risk” provisions amounted to EUR
6.1 million as of December 31, 2008.
The Group spent EUR 23 million in its industrial facilities in 2008
for projects to enhance its environmental performance. Please see
the breakdown in the following table. The amount was calculated
on the basis of the definition of Recommendation n° 2003-R02
of October 21, 2003 of Conseil National de la Comptabilité
Français that excludes routine maintenance, operating and
waste elimination expenses from the scope of environmental
expenditure. This only takes into account the “additional
expenses” and therefore also excludes the environmental portion
of industrial investments.
(in EUR thousands) Investments Operating expenses Total expenses
2008 2008 2008 2007
Air pollution prevention 6,142 666 6,808 19,181
Surface water pollution prevention 2,661 730 3,392 4,809
Underground water and ground
pollution prevention 993 1,070 2,064 3,192
Other 7,215 3,512 10,727 7,273
Total 17,012 5,978 22,990 34,455
2.10 Other information
2.10.1 Odor and Noise Nuisance
Odor nuisance from Group operations, although entirely
innocuous, is a concern for those factories that process certain
types of natural rubber indispensable for tire manufacturing and
that are located in or near urban areas.
A standard solution across the Group is continuing to be put
in place. The solution, using effluent thermal oxidation is now
operational in six European plants. The Group is researching into
even more efficient and environmentally friendly techniques for
odor suppression.
More generally, site teams, supported by Group experts, take
every step to reduce the odor, sound or other nuisance generated
by its industrial activities for local residents.
2.10.2 Relations with environmental protection associations
Wherever appropriate, Michelin Group fosters close ties with
environmental protection associations and bodies dedicated to
environmental respect.
Michelin North America’s efforts in terms of commitment to
and action towards environmental protection are acknowledged
by EPA (the Environmental Protection Agency): since 2005, ten
sites were selected to take part in the ‘EPA Performance Track
Program’. In order to be eligible, in addition to compliance with
current legislations, sites have to display a socially responsible
approach. This includes having a set of objectives for ongoing
environmental performance progress and having a system in
place for environmental impact management.
Michelin North America also works in partnership with many
associations and public authorities that are active in particular in
the area of energy savings (such as the Alliance to Save Energy)
and in transportation-related emission reductions (such as EPA’s
Smartways Program).
With respect to the renewable energy policy implementation in
Europe and the United States, in 2007, Michelin joined the Green
Power Market Development Group, led by the World Resources
Institute (WRI) NGO.
Other Information
Additional Information Consolidated Financial Statements The Managing Partners’ Report Michelin at a Glance
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