Sustainable development

		Calyon supports the International Polar Foundation
		Calyon supports the International Polar Foundation and contributes to the construction costs of the environment friendly, self-sufficient in energy polar base, Princess Elisabeth. This is the first Antarctic research station to be designed so as to operate solely with renewable energy. On 5th September 2007, within the context of the International Polar Year (2007-2008), the new polar station was inaugurated in Brussels in the presence of Prince Philippe of Belgium and of the explorer Alain Hubert. Erected on the spot and then dismantled and shipped by sea to the Antarctic where it will be erected at the end of the year on a granit headland overlooking Queen Maud Land.

The Princess Elisabeth station Calyon's support to the project The International Polar Foundation (IPF)

The Princess Elisabeth station

The zero carbon emission station can accommodate up to 20 persons. Photovoltaic panels covering a total surface area of 380 sq. m. (50.6 kWh), 9 wind turbines (48 kWh) and two diesel standby generators (44 kWh) will generate the necessary renewable energy. Water will be 75% recycled. It will be purified through filters, UV, activated carbon and biological processes. It will be stored in a bergshrund, a natural crevasse between the rock and the ice.

This new station is planned to last at least 25 years. It will be open to researchers from November 2007 through February 2008 during the austral summer.

Top of the page

Calyon's support to the project

Calyon's French Regions Dept (DRF) contributed to this project by sponsoring all the station's photovoltaic panels. The contacts struck up with Alain Hubert and IPF two years ago led DRF to organize a 3-day seminar in June 2007 in Lacanau.

This seminar to which Thierry Touchais, IPF's General Manager, and Eric Cochard, Calyon's Head of sustainable development participated, addressed i.a the issues of sustainable development and their implications for business.

Top of the page

The International Polar Foundation (IPF)

IPF is a scientific organization based in Brussels. Its main objective is to inform and sensitize the general public and the authorities on the climatic changes and their consequences.

The Foundation was created back in 2002 by three Belgian personalities, viz the explorer Alain Hubert and professors André Berger, a climatologist from the Louvain Catholic University and Hugo Decleir, the Chairman of the National Belgian Antarctic Research Committee and a glaciologist from the Free University of Brussels. Prince Philippe of Belgium is the IPF's Honorary Chairman.

Top of the page