Universal Registration Document 2021

Pollution and biodiversity

Pollution	For a full overview of the pollution theme, see sections 3.2.4 “Waste and circular economy”, 3.2.3.1.2 “Optimisation of water use and reducing pressure on environments” and 3.3.1.5 “Air quality”.
Light pollution	Light pollution: to reduce light pollution, the EDF group is mobilising its R&D. R&D: EDF group R&D is developing a methodology assessing and comparing night-time lighting and biodiversity on EDF sites that was tested in 2021 on its "Les Renardières" R&D site. Partnership: EDF and MNHN (Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, i.e. French National Museum of Natural History) work together to define the approach and protocols to be applied to identify the groups of species or habitats sensitive to light pollution on the sites, identify pollution and monitor the impact of the actions implemented. Street lighting: under the terms of the Copenhagen street lighting renovation, optimisation, operation and maintenance contract, Citelum carries out works taking account of the capital’s “respect for biodiversity” goals, particularly with a view to minimising as much as possible the city’s light pollution, especially in “vulnerable” and nature preservation zones.

Pollution

For a full overview of the pollution theme, see sections 3.2.4 “Waste and circular economy”, 3.2.3.1.2 “Optimisation of water use and reducing pressure on environments” and 3.3.1.5 “Air quality”.

Light pollution

Light pollution: to reduce light pollution, the EDF group is mobilising its R&D.

R&D: EDF group R&D is developing a methodology assessing and comparing night-time lighting and biodiversity on EDF sites that was tested in 2021 on its "Les Renardières" R&D site.

Partnership: EDF and MNHN (Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, i.e. French National Museum of Natural History) work together to define the approach and protocols to be applied to identify the groups of species or habitats sensitive to light pollution on the sites, identify pollution and monitor the impact of the actions implemented.

Street lighting: under the terms of the Copenhagen street lighting renovation, optimisation, operation and maintenance contract, Citelum carries out works taking account of the capital’s “respect for biodiversity” goals, particularly with a view to minimising as much as possible the city’s light pollution, especially in “vulnerable” and nature preservation zones.

Invasive alien species

Invasive alien species are usually detected during surveys carried out on sites. The use of local plants when re-naturalising sites can be a resilience factor limiting the future development of invasive alien species.

EDF IES and EDF IEP	In Corsica and French overseas departments and territories, where the issue is particularly important, EDF IES and EDF IEP are intensifying the fight against invasive alien species on their projects. In 2021, all EDF IES investment files going through the Commitment Committee were screened, including, if necessary, requests for a diagnosis of invasive alien species and, if necessary, the fight against invasive alien species. Ten invasive alien species assessments were carried out in 2021, covering major areas or distances ⁽¹⁾. Other assessments are scheduled for 2022-2023 based on project timetables. Three eradication measures were taken by EDF IES on highly-invasive species (Mauritius hemp on La Réunion or Acacia mangium on Guyana) in conjunction with competent local structures. Biosecurity protocols were also put in place by EDF IES to prevent the risks of colonisation during and after on-site work.
“Local Plants”	EDF, which has long been a partner of the OFB’s ⁽²⁾ Végétal local (i.e. local plants) programme with CBN (Conservatoires botaniques nationaux, i.e. French National Botanical Conservation Bodies), is committed to the preferential use of locally sourced wild plants in all of the Group’s projects. On new projects, local plants were used to renaturalise sites in Romanche-Gavet, covering more than 10 hectares, or to plant a line of hedges at the Beaurepaire photovoltaic power plant. Local plants are also used after on-site work or to restore old industrial sites such as the old Bouchain power plant.

EDF IES and EDF IEP

In Corsica and French overseas departments and territories, where the issue is particularly important, EDF IES and EDF IEP are intensifying the fight against invasive alien species on their projects. In 2021, all EDF IES investment files going through the Commitment Committee were screened, including, if necessary, requests for a diagnosis of invasive alien species and, if necessary, the fight against invasive alien species. Ten invasive alien species assessments were carried out in 2021, covering major areas or distances ⁽¹⁾. Other assessments are scheduled for 2022-2023 based on project timetables. Three eradication measures were taken by EDF IES on highly-invasive species (Mauritius hemp on La Réunion or Acacia mangium on Guyana) in conjunction with competent local structures. Biosecurity protocols were also put in place by EDF IES to prevent the risks of colonisation during and after on-site work.

“Local Plants”

EDF, which has long been a partner of the OFB’s ⁽²⁾ Végétal local (i.e. local plants) programme with CBN (Conservatoires botaniques nationaux, i.e. French National Botanical Conservation Bodies), is committed to the preferential use of locally sourced wild plants in all of the Group’s projects. On new projects, local plants were used to renaturalise sites in Romanche-Gavet, covering more than 10 hectares, or to plant a line of hedges at the Beaurepaire photovoltaic power plant. Local plants are also used after on-site work or to restore old industrial sites such as the old Bouchain power plant.

3.2.1.3.2 Recreating spaces and conditions conducive to biodiversity

Environmental preservation and restoration

Positive ecological management

The Company manages natural sites belonging to the land it owns in partnership with local associations. EDF employs positive ecological management practices such as late mowing or eco-grazing. Part of the land owned is allocated to spaces dedicated to the protection or recreation of biodiversity, via management plans tailored to the site’s issues.

Kembs	In Kembs (Alsace), on an old agricultural corn monoculture plot (100ha) EDF carried out large-scale ecological rehabilitation work over a 5-year period. The restoration of a branch of a river stretching more than 7 kilometres and recreation of all the natural, wet and dry environments enabled the return of a range of species of insects, amphibians, birds and mammals, which now form a richly biodiverse environment. A full ecological assessment of this renaturalisation project was submitted to the concession’s Environmental Ecological Monitoring Committee to be shared with partners. Currently, the site is jointly managed with the "Petite Camargue Alsacienne" national nature reserve.

Kembs

In Kembs (Alsace), on an old agricultural corn monoculture plot (100ha) EDF carried out large-scale ecological rehabilitation work over a 5-year period. The restoration of a branch of a river stretching more than 7 kilometres and recreation of all the natural, wet and dry environments enabled the return of a range of species of insects, amphibians, birds and mammals, which now form a richly biodiverse environment. A full ecological assessment of this renaturalisation project was submitted to the concession’s Environmental Ecological Monitoring Committee to be shared with partners. Currently, the site is jointly managed with the "Petite Camargue Alsacienne" national nature reserve.

To anchor the approach, EDF focuses on several factors:

Standards	Applying for standards either partially or fully covering sites, e.g. LPO (Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux, i.e. League for the Protection of Birds) refuge standard in Brennilis.
Real Environmental Obligations	The signing of Real Environmental Obligations, e.g. on the old Ambès site (approximately 42ha).

(1) 9 for EDF IES and 1 for EDF IEP.

(2) OFB: Office français de la biodiversité (French Biodiversity Office).