The EDF group’s carbon footprint (all scopes) continued to decrease in 2021, and was down 4% compared to 2020.
The decrease in the EDF group’s direct emissions (Scope 1) in 2021 (down 1% compared to 2020) was smaller than expected due to the exceptional use of EDF’s thermal generation fleet at the end of 2021. This exceptional use was due to a combination of low wind power generation, the concomitant unavailability of several nuclear reactors, and high electricity prices throughout Europe. However, the Group’s initial direct emissions target of 28-30 MtCO2e by 2023 has been met, two years ahead of schedule. Going forward, the Group is considering reviewing its 2030 emissions target.
The decrease in the EDF group’s indirect emissions (Scope 3) continued in 2021 (down 5% compared to 2020). This decrease was due in particular to the emissions reduction strategy implemented by the Group in North America for its gas purchase and sale business.
The following table shows progress on the EDF group’s trajectory towards achieving its 2030 targets, as validated by SBTi:
| SBTI Indicators | 2020 | 2021 | 2030 target validated by SBTi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of electricity (emissions in Scopes 1 and 2, also including emissions from non-consolidated assets and emissions relating to electricity purchased for sale to end customers, baseline year = 2017) |
Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of electricity (emissions in Scopes 1 and 2, also including emissions from non-consolidated assets and emissions relating to electricity purchased for sale to end customers, baseline year = 2017) 2020 - 26% |
Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of electricity (emissions in Scopes 1 and 2, also including emissions from non-consolidated assets and emissions relating to electricity purchased for sale to end customers, baseline year = 2017) 2021 - 28% |
Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of electricity (emissions in Scopes 1 and 2, also including emissions from non-consolidated assets and emissions relating to electricity purchased for sale to end customers, baseline year = 2017) 2030 target validated by SBTi- 50% |
| Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of gas (emissions from the combustion of gas sold to end customers, baseline year = 2019) |
Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of gas (emissions from the combustion of gas sold to end customers, baseline year = 2019) 2020 - 17% |
Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of gas (emissions from the combustion of gas sold to end customers, baseline year = 2019) 2021 - 24% |
Rate of reduction in emissions relating to the sale of gas (emissions from the combustion of gas sold to end customers, baseline year = 2019) 2030 target validated by SBTi- 28% |
The EDF group’s emissions reduction trajectory (direct and indirect emissions) is on target to achieve the 2030 targets validated by SBTi in December 2020.
To achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals it set itself (see section 3.1.1.1 “Group commitments and policy”), the EDF group implements an action plan in line with its CAP 2030 strategy (1). This action plan is coordinated by the EDF group Carbon Neutrality Strategy project (see description of climate governance in section 3.1.3.1 “Governance bodies”).
By 2030, and in line with the CAP 2030 projects, the main actions enabling the EDF group to achieve these emission targets covering all three scopes are as follows (2):
| THE GROUP’S DIRECT GHG EMISSIONS REDUCTION ROADMAP | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic | Action | URD Sections | Impact on the low-carbon trajectory * |
| Coal-fired closures |
No more coal power generation by 2030. |
3.1.1.3.1 | ~- 60% |
| Replacement of fuel oil in island regions |
Replacement of fuel oil in existing fossil-fuel fired facilities with lower carbon fuels (liquid biomass and possibly gas) as part of their Multi-Year Energy Programme (Programmation pluriannuelle de l’énergie, PPE). |
3.1.1.3.2 | ~- 15% |
| Greener heating networks |
Greening of Group-managed heat networks: biomass, waste heat recovery, geothermal and ocean thermal energy conversion |
3.1.1.3.3 | ~- 10-15% |
| Limiting fossil fuel emissions |
Application of strict criteria to the development of any new combined cycle gas turbine project by the Group, and reducing the use of existing resources following the increase in renewables. |
3.1.1.3.5 | ~- 5-10% |
| Emissions of SF6 and HFCs |
Measures to manage and reduce uncontained SF6 emissions from electrical transmission and distribution systems as well as uncontained HFC emissions from air-conditioning units |
3.1.1.3.6 | < 1% |
| Consumption by the Group’s facilities |
Managing Group facility energy use |
3.1.1.3.7 | < 1% |
| The Group’s vehicle fleet |
Fully electrifying the EDF group’s light vehicle fleet in accordance with the EV100 commitment |
3.1.1.3.8 | < 1% |
* Contribution to the 25MtCO2e decrease between 2017 and 2030 (50% reduction in Scope 1 emissions).
The EDF group is implementing its commitments by closing down coal-fired electricity generating plants.
For some twenty years now, the EDF group has been implementing and supporting the closure of as many units powered by coal and heavy fuel oil across Europe as possible. Since 2017, the EDF group has been engaged in the Powering Past Coal Alliance (3), which promotes the phasing out of coal in EU countries by 2030 and in the rest of the world by 2050 in the wake of the Paris Agreement. The EDF group supports the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement (4) that was recently signed at COP26.
(1) See section 3. “Group Strategy”.
(2) It should be noted that Enedis is also experimenting with Local Zero Emission Generating Sets (GE ZE), an alternative solution to conventional generating The diesel engine is replaced with a battery or a hydrogen fuel cell, the use of which locally emits no noise, CO2, or pollutants. These GE ZEs will supply customers during outages for works on the public electricity distribution network, while reducing the impact on the environment and maintaining the collection of local renewable energies connected to the network. They will contribute to the zero carbon objective.
(3) org/members
