Conflict between reducing emissions and energy consumption
Vopak has two environmental objectives; reducing emissions into water, soil and air as far as possible and also reducing its CO2 footprint relative to the throughput of products. Vopak does not itself generate CO2 from its operating processes although these processes do use energy and CO2 is released in generating it.

Vopak mainly consumes energy for pumping, warming or cooling certain products and for operations to achieve environmental improvements, such as wastewater purification and vapour recovery systems.

Efforts to reduce energy consumption and improve energy management continued successfully in 2007 from the viewpoint of both sustainability and cost efficiency. The Expert Forum Energy, a group- wide consultative body, has the role of coordinating and en cou raging energy management and reduction projects. Actual and potential initiatives are developed into Vopak Energy Management Guidelines.

Vopak’s environmental care focuses mainly on preventing emissions into the environment. These are reduced by vapour recovery treatment, waste-water purification and soil protection constructions. Vopak recognises the conflict between measures to reduce emissions and the use of energy. This conflict comes about because environmental measures require the use of energy and so there has to be a balance between overall energy consumption and the greatest environmental efforts.

Attention continues to be given to reducing and preventing
waste, especially that produced by tank cleaning and pipe flushing. Vopak is always looking for ways to reduce these waste flows, particularly by a smarter approach to planning, using and cleaning systems. Waste flows are recorded and disposed of in a controlled manner.