Corporate social responsibility issues and commitments
In line with its raison d’être, strategy, business model and related risk factors (1), the EDF group presents in this chapter 3 its non-financial performance issues, commitments, policies, actions and results.
16 priority CSR issues
The EDF group’s priority CSR issues underpin the action it takes in respect of ESG performance (2), whilst preserving the management independence of network operators. They are seen as key sustainability issues, i.e. ones that involve risks and/ or opportunities for the Group and its stakeholders. EDF has used a materiality analysis to map them over the last six years. This analysis included enabling identification, selection and ranking of the main sustainability issues, by combining the points of view of both external stakeholders (customers, investors, non-financial rating agencies, public authorities, etc.), and the Group itself.
Against a changing backdrop, the initial dual materiality analysis carried out in 2014 was updated in 2018. The analysis was prepared with the support of a specialist firm and underpinned by international standards based on documentary studies, interviews and workshops conducted with about one hundred people forming a representative cross-section of the Group’s stakeholders (3). External stakeholders included internationally-recognised qualified individuals as well as representatives of the Group’s main stakeholders (authorities, administrations, shareholders, banks, customers, partners, subcontractors, suppliers, NGOs, etc.). Internally, members of the Executive Committee participated in the development process, as did managers from the Group’s main departments and subsidiaries. The
conclusions were approved by the Group Senior Executive Vice-President for Innovation, Corporate Responsibility & Strategy. In 2019, the Sustainable Development Council (4) met to examine the Group’s materiality analysis and, based on current best practice, recommended reducing the number of issues.
On 7 May 2020, EDF established its raison d’être, which was adopted by 99.99%, of the Shareholders’ Meeting and added to its bylaws: “To build a net zero energy future with electricity and innovative solutions and services, to help save the planet and drive well-being and economic development”. More than 4,000 employees (5) contributed to developing this statement. In accordance with the EDF Sustainable Development Council, these 16 high-priority CSR issues have been ranked and categorised into four key issues in line with EDF’s raison d’être:
Carbon neutrality and the climate
Preserving the planet’s resources
Well-being and solidarity
Responsible development
The EDF group’s dual materiality matrix has remained unchanged since 2020, with the priority CSR challenges mapped out as follows:
This graph shows the corporate social responsibility issues and commitments.
CARBON NEUTRALITY AND THE CLIMATE
Carbon offsetting
CSR key stakes for EDF: High
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Adapting to climate change
CSR key stakes for EDF: High
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Developing electricity use and energy services
CSR key stakes for EDF: High
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Carbon Trajectory
CSR key stakes for EDF: High
Key issues for stakeholders: High
PRESERVING THE PLANET'S RESOURCES
Soils
CSR key stakes for EDF: Low
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Water
CSR key stakes for EDF: Medium
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Biodiversity
CSR key stakes for EDF: Medium
Key issues for stakeholders: High
Radioactive waste - Circular Economy
CSR key stakes for EDF: High
Key issues for stakeholders: High
WELL-BEING AND SOLIDARITY
Equality, diversity and inclusion
CSR key stakes for EDF: Low
Key issues for stakeholders: Low
Ethics and human rights
CSR key stakes for EDF: Medium
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Energy poverty and social innovation
CSR key stakes for EDF: Low
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Nuclear safety, health and security
CSR key stakes for EDF: High
Key issues for stakeholders: High
RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT
Digital technology
CSR key stakes for EDF: Medium
Key issues for stakeholders: Low
Local development
CSR key stakes for EDF: Medium
Key issues for stakeholders: Medium
Development of industrial sectors
CSR key stakes for EDF: Medium
Key issues for stakeholders: High
Dialogue and consultation with stakeholders
CSR key stakes for EDF: Medium
Key issues for stakeholders: High
(1) For details of the EDF group’s raison d’être: see the introduction to the URD; for details of the EDF group’s strategy, see section 1.3 “Group strategy and objectives”; for details of the EDF group’s business model: see section 1.1 and section 1.4; for details of the EDF group’s risk factors: see Chapter 2 “Risk factors and control framework”.
(2) Measuring a business’s ESG performance consists of assessing the extent to which Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) impacts are taken into account in its strategy and management. This process is based on environmental, social and governance criteria that structure the business’s non-financial performance analysis.
(3) For a detailed description of the various methodological stages in its preparation, see section 3.6 “Methodology”.
(4) Known as the EDF group Stakeholder Advisory Panel (Conseil des parties prenantes) since 2021; see section 3.4.1.1.1.1 “EDF – a pioneer in the implementation of stakeholder panels”. The materiality matrix remained unchanged in 2021.
(5) Through the “Let’s talk about energy” dialogues, cf. section 3.4.1.1.2 “An open dialogue with all, involving all of the Group’s businesses and subsidiaries”.