The Foundation abroad

Internationally, the Foundation supports projects run by non-profits for which electricity aids in access to water, health, education and development, by providing them with a combination of funding and technical expertise from the Group’s employees. In 2019, it supported about 51 projects that resulted in 50 technical assignments by 67 employees in 20 different countries, amounting to €2.3 million. Among the 32 associations supported, Electricians Without Borders holds a special place as a historical partner of the Group: 12 projects supported in 2020 and financial support for the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique.

In the UK, EDF Energy focuses its corporate sponsorship policy on sustainable development and support for local communities. The educational programme Pod aims at teaching 2.5 million children about the principles of sustainable energy use. EDF Energy also grants employees two days per year for volunteering. Finally, employees are encouraged to raise funds for partner charity Breast Cancer Now, which contributes to cancer research, raising the awareness about prevention of the disease and support for employees who suffer from it.

In Italy, Edison’s sponsorship activities are part of a corporate responsibility strategy to involve employees in volunteering actions. Edison has chosen to focus particularly on the younger generation to promote a sustainable development and consumption culture, thanks to cooperation with consumer organisations. Finally, Edison is developing several projects on the inclusion of women in scientific culture, through schools activities organised by women working at Edison.

3.3.1.2.5 Dialogue and consultation about our projects (CSRG no. 5)

EDF’s commitment

Wherever EDF operates, civil society expects more dialogue and vigilance with regard to projects likely to alter the environment. The EDF group systematically consults stakeholders but the way in which this is done depends on countries, regulations and projects.

The Group is striving to organise a global initiative of dialogue and consultation which is transparent and open for each new project (CSRG no. 5). Any new project of more than €50 million and having a significant impact on the regions or the environment, for which an investment decision is taken after 1 January 2017 (thus subject to review by the Group Executive Committee’s Commitments Committee⁽¹⁾) is concerned. The EDF group is committed to implementing the rules governing dialogue, according to international standards on stakeholder participation, and to ensuring that such consultations are publicly reported. More precisely, the following procedures will be applied: identify stakeholders; launch consultation as far upstream as possible; provide transparent and clear information to stakeholders on the project; gather stakeholders opinions on the project and address them; set up a system for dealing with suggestions and complaints; ensure that local populations are able to participate in the consultation process; ensure that consultations are publicly reported. For 2030, the goal is for there to be dialogue or consultation on 100% of projects worth more than €50 million in accordance with the Equator Principles⁽²⁾.

In 2019, projects falling within the defined criteria accounted for the review of 29 files by the CECEG; 89.7% of these were the subject of a consultation. This goal is presented every year to the Board of Directors’ Corporate Responsibility Committee, and the CSR Strategy Committee chaired by the Innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility & Strategy Director, who is a member of the Executive Committee (see section 3.1.2.3.3 “The Sustainable Development Division”).

EDF, a company with a responsible attitude to people and communities

Percentage of projects on which there was consultation in accordance with the Equator Principles

• Target 2030: 100%
• 2019: 89.7%
• 2018: 82%

Key non-financial performance indicator (see concordance table with the non-financial performance statement in section 8.5.4). For the scope and methodology of this indicator, see section 3.4 “Indicators and methodology”. This indicator refers to key stake no. 10 “Listening, communication, transparency and dialogue” described in section 3.6.2 “Description of key stakes in the materiality matrix”.

In accordance with French regulations, stakeholders have access to environmental (EIA) and social (SIA) impact assessment results for ICPE facilities (i.e. facilities classified for environmental protection), for example at Dalkia or EDF R or on local community sites internationally. EDF releases documentation on projects, such as these EIA and SIA, which are required to be published⁽³⁾ on prefectural sites; the documentation also include the opinions of the French Environmental Authority or the investigating commissioner⁽⁴⁾ to be submitted to debate or a public inquiry where appropriate.

Some illustrative examples

Locally

EDF Renewables was also recognised for its continuous dialogue and the quality of joint development work with the local authorities on its Beaujolais Vert wind farm project⁽⁵⁾ (Rhône) taking account of stakeholders’ expectations. EDF SEI⁽⁶⁾ and TERNA ⁽⁷⁾ organised three-way consultation on the plan to strengthen the existing “SACOI⁽⁸⁾ ” link between Sardinia, Corsica and Italy. This project, called SACOI 3, was added in 2015 to the Multi-Year Corsican Energy Programme, and certified as a “Public Interest Public: PIP⁽⁹⁾ ” by the European Union in November 2017. It aims to increase the link’s electricity transit capacity to secure both Sardinia’s power supply and Corsica’s electrical system, as well as encourage the inclusion of REN in the Corsican electricity mix. A first “Fontaine⁽¹⁾ ” consultation under the aegis of the Prefect serves to “define the characteristics of the project as well as the project’s environmental insertion measures with elected representatives and associations representing relevant groups”, and “provide quality information to groups affected by the project” to share the study location proposed by the project managers and determine the route with the least impact. A 2nd voluntary preliminary consultation with 2 guarantors appointed by the CNDP⁽²⁾ helped to get the entire population fully involved in the scheme. This consultation was held from 30 September to 22 November 2019, including eight public meetings, two workshops, seven individual meetings with stakeholders, a website, etc. The guarantors expressed a positive opinion on this consultation, both in terms of the efforts made for the consultation and the quality of the discussions, at the end of December. Finally, a 3rd consultation will be organised for the project’s certification as a “Public Interest Project”. The measures set out in the preliminary consultation mean the European commission’s main requirements can be met. In early 2020, the line’s preferred route will be approved by the prefect and dialogue with both the public and stakeholders will continue alongside the authorisation application process.

(1) CECEG: The Group Executive Committee Commitments Committee.
(2) This is a reference framework in the financial sector aimed at determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risks on projects. It features 10 principles: equator-principles.com.
(3) aude.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/b1cpv11_fendeille_ei.compressed.pdf.
(4) See for example haute-loire.gouv.fr.
(5) parc-eolien-beaujolais-vert.fr/.
(6) Island Energy Systems.
(7) TERNA is the main operator of the Italian high-voltage and very-high-voltage electricity transmission network. Its mission is to secure electricity transmission across the whole of Italy, including islands, particularly Sicily and Sardinia. In Italy, TERNA operates 73,000km of lines and 25 links with its neighbouring countries and islands.
(8) SACOI: SArdinia COrsica Italy.
(9) To quality for PIP status, the project must produce significant advantages for at least 2 EU Member States, contribute to market integration and increased competition, improve energy supply safety, and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. On 23 November 2017, the EU recognised the SACOI3 project as a Public Interest Project (PIP).