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DEPA S.A.

Member: Silver
Since: 06.06.2012
DEPA S.A.

92, Marinou Antipa Avenue, GR-141 21 Heraklion, Athens, Greece
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Environmental

Actively Caring for the Environment
Given the "friendly" relationship between natural gas and the environment, at DEPA environmental protection is inseparably linked with sustainable development. The company is firmly committed to the principle that productivity and growth should stay in lockstep with the minimization of the company’s environmental footprint.

DEPA's commitment to the protection of the environment is reflected in the company's daily practices, while its abiding respect for the environment is mainly expressed through concrete actions based on its overall environmental strategy. To implement this strategy, DEPA has adopted an Environmental Management System, which adheres to international environmental protection standards and advanced sustainable development practices.

As part of this system's application, DEPA ensures that any company activity that may have an environmental impact complies with Greek legislation. Moreover, it initiates actions that reduce these impacts and consistently sets objectives that improve its environmental performance.

The company's main objective is to minimize any impacts on the landscape, the natural resources, the atmosphere and the quality of life of local communities, regardless of location. Both during construction and operation, DEPA complies with the most rigorous environmental standards stipulated by Greek and European legislation. The company's natural gas installations have been constructed in compliance with international environmental standards and have been certified by independent organizations.

In addition to its environmental management practices, DEPA conducts R&D projects aimed at protecting and enhancing the environment. One of the most important inroads in this direction is the powering of vehicles with natural gas, which can result in significant financial (the cost of natural gas is 1/3 that of gasoline) and environmental benefits.

In this context, DEPA has taken the lead in influencing developments and initiating cooperative efforts to expand the use of natural gas by not only an increasing number of both public and private vehicles (i.e. local government authority waste collection vehicles, buses, taxis, etc.,) but also by an increasing number of regions throughout Greece. As part of these efforts, the company has initiated regional pilot programs for the gas powering of vehicles, such as the one scheduled for the city of Volos in 2012 -involving the installation of natural gas pumps at local petrol stations funded by DEPA- or the one pertaining to Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. The company's medium term objective is the development of the required infrastructure for natural gas refueling stations in the country’s major cities and throughout the national road network.

Another project highlighting DEPA's sensitivity to environmental issues is the "EcoMobility" program, an environmentally friendly transportation campaign aspiring to raise awareness among teenagers regarding the adoption of new modes of urban mass transit, including the development of Green Transport. The program is addressed to secondary school students throughout Greece and aims to heighten their environmental awareness, while encouraging the development of new transportation habits. Falling under the auspices of the Ministries of Education, Transport, the Environment and Citizen Protection, as well as the European Commissioner for the Environment, this program is further supported by the country's leading universities and scientific institutions.

Sustainable Development and Green Entrepreneurship
In terms of "Green Entrepreneurship" DEPA has an impressive record highlighted by a wide range of worthy initiatives and innovative targeted actions that aim to boost current growth while conserving resources for future development.

To boost eco-friendly growth, DEPA has launched a series of initiatives meant to support Green Entrepreneurship and encourage the development, evaluation and application of innovative environmental protection practices that can also drive the development of the Greek economy. Such initiatives, well integrated into the company's business strategy, cover a broad spectrum of activities reaching beyond national borders.

Recent initiatives include:
  • Financial assistance to scientific institutions, research organizations and business entities that promote sustainable development and best practices.
  • Sponsoring of national and international scientific and business conferences promoting green development.
  • Support of summit meetings on the utilization of new sustainable development models and forward-looking investment opportunities to tackle the climatic, economic and energy-related challenges of our time.