To meet its industrial needs, EDF must have access to land without increasing soil artificialisation. This is why its land tenure strategy is driven by the overriding principle of sobriety (see section 3.2.2 “Responsible land management”). Within the framework of its approach of land sobriety(1), EDF is committed to monitoring the level of soil waterproofing during the conversion of former continental thermal sites in order to limit it in the long term. In 2020, a first evaluation of the waterproofed land was carried out.
In the areas operated by Enedis(2), new HV lines were completed 98% underground and 100% underground or unobtrusively for LV. Overall, 50% of HV networks are underground and 72% of LV networks are underground or isolated twisted.
Several EDF buildings have received “BiodiverCity® ” certification, a streamlined approach for players involved in sustainable construction(3), such as the Grande Hallein Lyon.
EDF’s activity is partly dependent on the availability of fresh water and EDF has long been working to reduce its water footprint (see section 3.2.3.1.2 “Optimisation of water use and reducing pressure on the environment”) and its impact on resources (see section 3.2.4 “Circular economy and waste”).
As far as forest resources are concerned, in 2020 EDF revised its Group-wide biomass policy, incorporating new commitments in favour of biodiversity, such as giving priority to the use of secondary biomass (residues) and tertiary biomass (waste); minimising the water footprint; ensuring that soil is not converted from carbon sinks (forest, wetlands, peat bogs) to produce biomass; avoiding direct or indirect deforestation for EDF’s biomass-energy needs; and minimising the ratio of cultivated surface area to energy produced.
Although it already has one of the lowest carbon production mixes, the EDF group is further intensifying its commitment to reduce direct CO2 emissions by 2030 (see section 3.1. “Carbon Neutrality and the Climate”). To enable the Group to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, EDF R&D began work in 2020 dedicated to carbon offsetting. The challenge was to favour “nature-based” solutions that promote CO2 sequestration in natural ecosystems. The Group’s initial initiatives are described in section 3.1.1.5 “Carbon offsetting solutions”.
Invasive alien species are usually detected during surveys carried out on sites. Indeed, these species most often settle and spread during land reclamation or river development. The aim is therefore to establish local species that contribute to maintaining the balance of their ecosystem and improve the ecological features of the environment, thus making it more resilient. This issue is addressed through partnerships, for example with local authorities (river contracts), or any other form of renaturation of spaces.
EDF, which has long been a partner of the OFB’s “Végétal local” (i.e. Local plants)programme, is committed to the systematic use of locally sourced wild plants in all of the Group’s businesses:
The inclusion in the specifications of several projects of the requirement for vegetalisation/renaturation using plants or seeds certified as “Local plants” (or an equivalent certification) reflects the existing dynamics of this approach within all EDF’s business lines.
The issue of invasive alien species arises with great force in islands and overseas. In these territories, invasive alien species are mainly responsible for the disappearance of species, many of which are native to these areas. In Corsica and overseas territories, EDF is stepping up the fight against invasive alien species on the land it controls. In 2020, all EDF IES investment files going through the Work CommitmentCommittee were screened, including, if necessary, requests for a diagnosis of invasive alien species and, if necessary, the fight against invasive alien species.
The Company manages natural sites belonging to the land it owns in partnership with local associations. EDF resorts to positive ecological management practices such as late mowing or eco-grazing; part of the land owned is allocated to areas dedicated to the protection or reconstitution of biodiversity, through management plans, with objectives adapted to the site’s challenges.
In Kembs, in the heart of the Petite Camargue Alsacienne national nature reserve, on an old agricultural corn monoculture plot (100ha), EDF carried out large-scale ecological rehabilitation work over a 5-year period (including one year of earthworks). restoration of a river arm over more than 7 kilometers, i.e. creating a new river in Alsace, and re-establishment of a set of wet and dry natural environments, which increased populations and paved the way for the return of several species of insects, amphibians, birds and mammals. The monitoring of nature and management actions, in particular for the limitation of invasive alien species, are carried out and form part of a management plan managed by the Nature Reserve of Petite Camargue. A complete ecological assessment of this renaturation operation was completed in 2020 and will be shared with the partners.
This effort concerns not only the land owned by the Company, but also the land conceded by the French State. Part of this land is subject to occupancy agreements with neighbouring owners or municipalities, and to requests for use by associations, particularly sports associations. With regard to the land under concession, the Company is committed to ensuring that the new agreements include provisions for measures to promote biodiversity, subject to the agreement of the awarding authority. A list of these provisions and the terms for incorporating them into the agreements were formulated in 2020, so that they could begin to be incorporated.
(1)See also section 3.2.2 “Responsible land management”.
(2) GRI G4 EN 13 – disclosure 304-4.
(3) cibi-biodivercity.com/biodivercity/
(4) This concerns light pollution that may affect sensitive species. For light pollution associated with human health, see section 3.3.1.4 "Consumer health and safety".
