Environmental indicators

Assessment of EDF group greenhouse gas emissions

EDF⁽¹⁾ publishes an Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions covering the entire EDF group⁽²⁾ and all the main emissions sources defined by the GHG Protocol⁽³⁾. It makes progress every year in analysing its emissions to produce information that is as accurate and exhaustive as possible. EDF goes beyond the legal requirements and refuests a verification by a third party of more than 70% of its emissions – of which 98% Scope 1, 73% Scope 2 and 66% Scope 3 – verified by a third party.

The analysis focuses on Scopes 1, 2 and 3 of the GHG Protocol, covering the greenhouse gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, HFC, PFC, SF₆, NF₃), and ranging from fuel manufacturing to employees’ office activities. The data is presented in CO₂ equivalent, other gases being converted based on their global warming potential (GWP).

Group perimeter

EDF made the choice to consolidate its greenhouse gas emissions according to the "Financial Control" approach of the GHG Protocol. The Group perimeter is determined by the consolidation method applied to companies, in line with financial standards (IAS-IFRS). Full consolidation covers all companies that the Group controls. Companies that EDF group does not control are accounted for under the equity method.

However, criteria linked to the relevance of the subsidiaries' activities in terms of environmental impact are also taken into account. As such, the assessment may not cover some subsidiaries included in the financial reporting scope if their business activity or size is deemed insignificant with regard to environmental issues. Conversely, some companies deemed to have a significant impact may be included in the environmental scope but do not appear in the financial reporting scope.

The scope defined for the assessment of GHG emissions covers the following companies and their subsidiaries: EDF SA, EDF PEI, Dalkia, Edison, Enedis, Électricité de Strasbourg, EDF Energy Services (including EDF Trading NA), EDF Energy, Framatome, EDF Renewables, Norte Fluminense, MECO, Luminus, EDF China. The subsidiaries included under the financial consolidation approach but excluded from this assessment are not significant as their emissions represent less than 5% of the Group’s total environmental footprint.

The companies accounted for under the equity method and factored into the assessment (Scope 3, under investments) are: Shandong Zhonghua, Datang San Men Xia, Fuzhou, Sloe, Nam Theun, Sinop, Enercal, Électricité de Mayotte, Metropolitana, Elpedison and Ibiritermo. Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from these companies are calculated pro rata based on its share of ownership. Other companies that are accounted for under the equity method but excluded from this assessment represent less than 5% of emissions in this category.

Breakdown of GHG protocol emissions for EDF group

Scope 1: Direct emissions

• produced by stationary combustion sources:
  • CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions from fossil-fired power plants;
  • consumption of fossil fuels for heating in office buildings;
• produced by mobile combustion sources:
  • fuel consumption by fleet vehicles and worksite equipment;
• fugitive emissions:
  • fugitive emissions from hydro reservoirs;
  • fugitive emissions of SF₆ and coolant leaks.

Scope 2 : Indirect emissions associated with the generation of electricity, heating or cooling consumed for own use

• electricity consumption for own use (office buildings and data centres);
• consumption of heating and cooling systems for own use.

Scope 3 : Indirect emissions from operations not included in Scopes 1 and 2

• purchases of goods and services;
• upstream operations of fuels used in power plants (nuclear and fossil-fired), for heating in office buildings and for fleet vehicles and equipment: extraction, refining, enrichment, transport;
• upstream operations and losses of electricity, heating and cooling systems consumed for own use;
• amortisation of emissions from the production of fixed assets (power plants, electricity networks, buildings, vehicles and equipment);
• generation of electricity purchased for resale to end customers;
• power transmission and distribution (upstream operations and losses);
• upstream activities and combustion of gas purchased for resale to end customers;
• other: waste management, employee work-related travel, leased assets, downstream transportation of by-products, production of consumables.

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⁽¹⁾ The term “EDF” refers to EDF SA, the parent company. The terms “Group” or “EDF group” refer to EDF and its subsidiaries and shareholdings.
⁽²⁾ See section on Group Perimeter.
⁽³⁾ The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative, more commonly known as the GHG Protocol, is the most internationally recognised GHG accounting method. Introduced in 1998 by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), it was developed in partnership with companies, NGOs and governments. It provides a set of resources, tools and data for carbon footprint calculation (http://www.ghgprotocol.org/).

2019 results for greenhouse gas emissions

The Group’s direct and indirect emissions for 2019 amount to 152.7 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Two sources of emissions account for more than 70% of the Group’s total environmental footprint: direct CO₂ emissions due to electricity and heat generation (most of Scope 1) and indirect GHG emissions associated with the combustion of gas sold to end customers.

EDF group’s direct and indirect CO₂ emissions in 2018 and 2019 (in Mt CO₂ eq. )

SCOPE 1

For several years, EDF group has published data on direct CO₂ emissions from heat and power generation plants, which represent over 97% of all Scope 1 emissions. These emissions and total Scope 1 emissions fell 7% between 2018 and 2019.

EDF Group - Scope 1 - Total net direct CO₂ emissions due to electricity and heat generation (in Mt CO₂ eq. )

• This fall is the result of less use of fossil-fired plants in France, due to a mild winter. Also, the rise in the price of CO₂ emission quotas along with low prices for coal and natural gas resulted in less market demand for coal generation and more use of gas generation..
• It is important to underline the high level of variability in annual emissions for EDF group, due to the very low proportion of fossil fired electricity generation in EDF’s total output. Annual variations in temperatures and rainfall, as well as the availability of the nuclear facilities, can have a significant impact on how much use is made of EDF’s fossil-fired plants and lead to considerable differences in annual emissions. However, the trend towards lower emissions has been entrenched since 2007, as shown in the following graph of direct CO₂ emissions (output from heat and power generation plants).

Evolution of direct CO₂ emissions from EDF group powerplants in absolute and specific values from 2006 to 2019

SCOPE 2

• Scope 2 emissions, which include electricity, heating and cooling purchased for EDF group’s own use, are very limited compared with the rest of the assessment. Due to the Group’s business activities as an electricity generator, most emissions connected to the Group’s own use are reported under Scope 1. Furthermore, following the GHG Protocol’s Scope 2 Guidance, the Group’s Scope 2 emissions are calculated based both on the average content of the network and on supplier content. Taking a conservative reporting approach, EDF decided to report Scope 2 emissions based on the average content of the network.
• Between 2018 and 2019, the Group’s Scope 2 emissions fell 38%. The reduction is because emissions relating to Dalkia’s heat purchases were transferred to Scope 3, as these purchases correspond to heat sold to end customers without undergoing transformation.

EDF group - Scope 2 - Indirect CO₂ emissions (in Mt CO₂ eq. )

SCOPE 3

Emissions associated with the combustion of gas sold to end customers account for the largest share of indirect emissions:

• 60.1 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, representing 50% of the Group’s Scope 3 indirect emissions in 2019.
• On top of these emissions are those from upstream operations of gas sold, estimated at 11.9 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Together, these two sources of emissions total 72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, or 60% of Group Scope 3 emissions.
• Indirect emissions associated with the generation of electricity purchased for resale to end customers account for 22.3 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, or 19% of Group Scope 3 emissions.
• Scope 1 and 2 emissions from power plants of companies accounted for under the equity method are reported, based on the Group’s financial control approach, pro rata to its share ownership. These emissions are estimated at 10.0 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, i.e. about 8% of Group Scope 3 emissions (emissions from organisations reported as investments).
• Upstream emissions from fossil and nuclear fuels used at the Group’s power plants fell 4%, accounting for 5.4 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, or 5% of Group Scope 3 emissions.
• Other sources of emissions account for about 8% of the Group’s Scope 3 emissions.

Groupe EDF - Scope 3 - Indirect CO₂ emissions (in Mt CO₂ eq.)

• Between 2018 and 2019, the most significant emissions associated with gas sold to end customers rose 11% to 7.3 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This is due to an increase in sales, mainly in the United States.
• Indirect emissions associated with electricity purchased for resale to end customers saw a slight fall of 0.2 million tonnes (4%); this was due to changes in the average carbon content of the electricity in the country’s concerned.
• Lastly, there was a slight increase (1%) in emissions from companies accounted for under the equity method.
• EDF is pursuing its efforts to provide an ever more accurate and exhaustive analysis of its indirect emissions.

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⁽¹⁾ Data audited for limited assurance by the Statutory Auditors, KPMG SA, appointed as an independent third party.

Details on methodology

The reporting period for the data taken into account is from 1 January of year Y to 31 December of year Y.
Unless otherwise indicated, the emission factors used are from the Base Carbone®, a database of emission factors administered by France's environment and energy management agency (Ademe), dating from January 2019. The GWP⁽¹⁾ data used is that set out in the fifth report of the IPCC⁽²⁾.

Details on Scope 1

Direct emissions from fossil-fired power plants (CO₂, CH₄ et N₂O) are measured or calculated based on fuel measurements or standard emission factors, and cover all electricity generation phases, including unit commis-sioning and shutdown phases.

• CO₂ emissions also include emissions from processes, such as flue gas desulphurisation.
• CH₄ and N₂O emissions are then converted into tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
• Emissions due to fuel consumption by back-up power systems at nuclear power plants are calculated based on amounts of fuels purchased over the year from the Group's main supplier, as they are representative of real consumption.
• Emissions associated with filling hydro reservoirs with water: these CO₂ and CH₄ emissions are calculated using an IPCC method for reservoirs of more than 1 hectare. N₂O emissions cannot be assessed using this method.

Details on Scope 2

In compliance with GHG Protocol Guidance, Scope 2 emissions are calculated based both on the average content of the network and on supplier content. Taking a conservative reporting approach, EDF decided to report Scope 2 emissions based on the average content of the network.

Electricity consumption is converted into emissions (excluding upstream operations and network losses), all uses combined, by applying the emission factor of the average mix recommended by Ademe for the first case, and the content of the company’s generation mix for the second calculation method.

These emissions also include generation of electricity consumed in office buildings (heat, cooling, processes, lighting, IT systems, various equipment, etc.) and in the two main data centres.

Emissions from electricity use in office buildings are calculated by taking the average electricity use per unit of surface area from a representative sample of occupied buildings. This average use is then applied to the total surface area of office buildings.

Details on Scope 3

Emissions from upstream activities in the nuclear fuel cycle include purchases of nuclear fuel (extraction, enrichment and MOX, transportation), calculated based on the amount of nuclear fuel load over the year. An emission factor from the Ecoinvent 2.2. database is applied for MOX fuel and extraction and enrichment activities.

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⁽¹⁾ GWP: Global Warming Potential.
⁽²⁾ IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Assessment of EDF greenhouse gas emissions

This assessment covers all of EDF SA's activities, including mainland France as well as Corsica and overseas France via SEI (Island Energy Systems): Corsica, Reunion Island, French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St Pierre and Miquelon.

Starting with the 2017 report, EDF group chose to base consolidation rules on the financial control approach rather than the operational control approach to be consistent with the consolidation method that applies to the financial statements. However, there is no change to the manner in which buildings and vehicles under leasing contracts are consolidated in anticipation of changes to IFRS in 2019. This change in method has no effect on the assessment of EDF's greenhouse gas emissions.

The analysis focuses on Scopes 1, 2, and 3 of the GHG Protocol⁽¹⁾, covering the seven greenhouse gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, HFC, PFC, SF₆, NF₃), and ranging from fuel manufacturing to employees' office activities. The data is presented in CO₂ equivalent, with other gases converted based on their global warming potential (GWP).

Emissions checks

The assessment helps improve knowledge of EDF’s environmental impacts beyond the direct production of electricity and fine-tunes the action plan for reducing direct and indirect emissions.

EDF has made fighting climate change the main objective of its environmental policy and aims to continue to lower its CO₂ emissions, which are already at a level unequalled by any other major European corporation.

To achieve this objective, EDF zeroes in on the following three levers for action:

• improve the availability of its nuclear power plants;
• upgrade its fossil-fired power plants, thereby reducing its CO₂ emissions per kWh generated, and shut some plants down;
• reinforce its hydropower potential by renovating existing facilities and greatly increase the use of other renewable energies (particularly through the target of 30 GW of solar power by 2030).

EDF is also looking after its indirect emissions. For example, its efforts to reduce emissions connected with business travel include encouraging remote means of communication through an incentive scheme from 2017 to 2019. EDF also helps its customers to reduce their own emissions by offering advice on energy savings and a range of products and services suited to their needs.

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⁽¹⁾ The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative, more commonly known as the GHG Protocol, is the most internationally recognised GHG accounting method. Introduced in 1998 by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), it was developed in partnership with companies, NGOs and governments. It provides a set of resources, tools and data for carbon footprint calculation.

Assessment of EDF SA greenhouse gas emissions (in kt CO₂ eq.)

Source: DOAAT – SoDATA EDF.
Overseas France: French administrative departments, regions and communities outside Europe.

Main changes between 2018 and 2019

EDF SA is responding to EDF Group’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since the announcement of the CAP 2030 target to reduce Scope 1 emissions from 51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2017 to 30 million tonnes in 2030, EDF SA’s contribution will be a 4 million tonne decrease in its direct emissions, that is, a 36% less than in 2017.

In 2019, EDF SA’s cumulative direct and indirect emissions fell by 1.7 million tonnes, that is, 1.7% less than in 2018 (21.7 million tonnes compared with 23.4 million tonnes).

SCOPE 1

In 2019, EDF SA’s direct greenhouse emissions (Scope 1) totalled 7.1 million tonnes, down 11% on 2018’s 7.9 million tonnes.

In Metropolitan France, against a backdrop of steady consumption⁽¹⁾, the residual demand covered by fossil-fired plants in 2019 was up slightly on 2018. This change is mainly attributable to:

• A 20 TWh drop in nuclear and hydro production⁽²⁾ only partially offset by an increase in wind, solar and bioenergy production.
• The ongoing high level of exported electricity at 84 TWh resulting in an unchanged volume of exports at 56 TWh net of imports.

Nonetheless, EDF SA's fossil-fired production ran counter to the French situation dropping by 1 TWh (10%) compared with 2018, to 9.8 TWh.

• The sharp drop in gas prices and the increase in European CO₂ quotas meant gas-fired plants had an edge over coal-fired plants. Given that EDF owns the majority of coal-fired plants in France and its competitors own most of the gas-fired plants, EDF’s fossil-fired production is relatively less competitive than its competitors’ and was therefore in lesser demand. For EDF, production from the three Q600 coal-fired tranches was just 0.8 TWh, down a significant 3 TWh compared with 2018. This reduction was only partially offset by gas-fired combined-cycle production that totalled 8.8 TWh, up 1.9 TWh on 2018.
• Finally, the absence of any tension between supply and demand limited the need to use make-up production plants which emit high levels of CO₂. Production from diesel-fired turbines fell by 55% to 96 GWh.

Overview

• In Continental France, under the combined effect of a drop in fossil-fired production volume and a drop in coal-fired production benefiting gas-fired production, EDF SA’s direct greenhouse emissions (Scope 1) fell 15% compared with 2018 (5.4 million tonnes compared with 6.4 million tonnes).
• Outside Continental France, EDF SA’s production dropped by 12.3%, mainly due to a 31% decline in hydro power because of lower rainfall in Corsica, Reunion Island and French Guiana. This drop in hydro output was partially offset by a 9.2% increase in diesel-fired production to 0.13 TWh in 2019 compared with 2018. This increase resulted in an 11% rise in direct CO₂ emissions compared with 2018 (1.2 million tonnes compared with 1.16 million tonnes) outside Continental France.

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⁽¹⁾ In 2019, electricity consumption totalled around 471.5 TWh, down 0.5% compared with 2018 as a result of lower space heating requirements due to milder temperatures than in 2018.
⁽²⁾ For EDF SA, nuclear production came to 379.5 TWh down 13.7 TWh on 2018 due to lesser availability. Hydro production totalled 39.7 TWh, down 6.8 TWh compared with 2018 because of lower rainfall overall.

SCOPE 2

In 2019, EDF SA’s Scope 2 emissions were unchanged on 2018 at the low level of 20 kt. This stability in emission levels is due to two counterbalancing effects. On the one hand, consumption for space heating in buildings was lower as a result of higher average temperatures in 2019 than in 2018, and, on the other, an increase in the number of sites used to produce a more reliable estimate had the effect of increasing overall emissions compared with 2018. EDF SA 2019 greenhouse gas emissions assessment – DOOAAT SoDATA Version 18 April 2020 compatible URD 5/10.

SCOPE 3

In 2019, Scope 3 emissions totalled 14.6 million tonnes, 5% less than in 2018, or a 0.8 million tonne drop, mainly due to lower emissions recorded for the following:

• Combustion of gas sold (down 0.5 million tonnes or 9%) attributable to a drop in the ADEME emission factor used – upstream activities for fossil fuels (down 0.4 million tonnes or 27%) linked to the drop in production (Scope 1)
• Purchases of goods and services (down 0.2 million tonnes or 18%)
• Transmission and distribution of electricity sold (down 8%), also linked to the drop in production.

Conversely, this drop was partially offset by an increase in the following two areas:

• Purchase of electricity outside Continental France (up 0.2 million tonnes or 11%)
• Fixed asset amortisation (up 0.1 million tonnes or 10%) due to the closure date for some power plants being brought forward.

Overview

In all, the 1.7 million tonne decrease in EDF SA's direct and indirect emissions is mainly due to the 1 million tonne drop in direct emissions associated with production from fossil-fired plants in Continental France and 0.4 million tonnes of indirect emissions from upstream activities (upstream fossil fuel activities for power plants).

Without restating 2018 figures, the downward trend in the emission factor for the combustion of gas sold also led to a drop in indirect emissions despite the unchanged volume in 2019 compared with 2018.

Breakdown of GHG Protocol emissions for EDF

Scope 1: Direct emissions

• produced by stationary combustion sources:
  • CO₂, CH₄ et N₂O emissions from fossil-fired power plants;
  • consumption of fossil fuels for heating in office buildings;
• produced by mobile combustion sources:
  • fuel consumption by fleet vehicles and worksite equipment;
• fugitive emissions:
  • fugitive emissions from hydro reservoirs;
  • fugitive emissions of SF₆ and coolant leaks.

Scope 2 : Indirect emissions associated with the generation of electricity, heating or cooling consumed by EDF for own use

• electricity consumption for own use (office buildings and data centres);
• consumption of heating and cooling systems for own use.

Scope 3 : Indirect emissions from EDF’s emissions that are not included in Scopes 1 and 2

• purchases of goods and services;
• upstream operations of fuels used in power plants (nuclear and fossil-fired), for heating in office buildings and for fleet vehicles and equipment: extraction, refining, enrichment, transport;
• upstream operations and losses of electricity, heating and cooling systems consumed for own use;
• amortisation of emissions from the production of fixed assets (power plants, SEI electricity networks, buildings, vehicles and equipment);
• generation of electricity purchased for resale to end customers;
• power transmission and distribution (upstream operations and losses);
• upstream activities and combustion of gas purchased for resale to end customers;
• other: waste management, employee work-related travel, leased assets, downstream transportation of by-products, production of consumables.

Scope 2 emissions, which include electricity, heating and cooling purchased for EDF’s own use, are very limited compared with the rest of the assessment. Due to EDF’s electricity generation activities, most of these emissions are reported under scope 1. As EDF decided to apply the general method recommended by the GHG Protocol for scope 2 emissions, scopes 1 and 2 show results that are higher than reality. Furthermore, following the GHG Protocol’s new Scope 2 Guidance, EDF’s scope 2 emissions are calculated based both on the average content of the network and on supplier content. Taking a conservative reporting approach, EDF decided to report scope 2 emissions based on the average content of the network.

Aerosol precursor emissions

Human activities also emit other substances, including aerosols and aerosol precursors. Aerosol precursors are gaseous substances that, as a result of various physical or chemical reactions, may lead to the formation of aerosols. The values for these emissions are presented in the summary tables of environmental indicators.

Aerosol precursor emissions include:

• sulphur dioxide (SO₂), a combustion pollutant produced by the burning of any product containing sulphur, notably coal and oil (other fossil fuels like gas having a very small content of sulphur);
• to a lesser extent, nitrogen oxides (NOx).

EDF group – SO₂ emissions from electricity and heat generation (in kt)

EDF group – NOx emissions from electricity and heat generation (in kt)

NOx emissions also declined significantly, by 28%, for the same reasons as for SO₂.

EDF’s efforts in this area are in keeping with the limits set out in the EU’s National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC Directive), which established emission ceilings effective from 2010 for the following pollutants in each member state: SO₂, NOx, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and NH₃ (ammonia). EDF’s activities in mainland France, Corsica and overseas France account for less than 2% of the national ceiling for NOx (1.3% of 810 kt) and 1% for SO₂ (1% of 375 kt). See table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document for more details on figures.

The 12% decrease in SO₂ emissions and the more significant 20% decrease in NOx emissions reflect a lower fossil-fired generation. The coalfired generation decreased 5.2 TWh mainly due to the shutdown of power plants in 2019 (coal-fired in the UK and oil-fired in mainland France). Another driver in this decrease of emissions is the lack of competitiveness of coal-fired and oil-fired generation in the market (CO₂ price higher than last year), resulting in a very low generation call of these power plants.

On the other hand, gas generation increased 4.9 TWh in 2019 but it was far away from to compensate the decrease of emission of aerosol precursors.

Other emissions

Dust

Dust emissions (in kt)

In spite of the decrease of coal-fired generation, the amount of dust has slightly increased (0.0023 kt) mainly due to the increase of oil-fired generation in France oversea territories (French Guiana and Corsica), due to the significant decrease of the hydro generation. Nevertheless, this increase represents less than 0.7% of the total Group emission. Data is presented in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

Mercury

Mercury emissions in the power utilities activities are mainly from the coal-fuel combustion and from waste-fuel incineration. For many years the range of variation of these emissions has had a strong correlation with coal generation. Since then, thanks to the fewer coal generation (shutdown of power plants and disposal of coal-fired plants assets), other factors have become the key for explain the yearly variation.

Mercury emissions (in tonnes)

Currently, one of the driver for mercury emissions is the composition of waste burnt in the incinerators. In 2019, in Italy, the Rendina Ambiente power plant (miscellaneous fuels) has burnt more waste than before, increasing mechanically the rate of mercury emission.

Water ressource managment

Water is needed for generating electricity. The force of water is a raw material used to generate hydropower, the Group’s most important renewable energy, with an installed capacity of 21.6 GW⁽¹⁾ and 267⁽²⁾ large dams in the world. Water is also needed for cooling fossil-fired plants and for extracting and refining oil and gas products.

At Group level, some 44 billion cubic metres of water are drawn for cooling thermal generation plants, with 99% discharged back into the environment almost immediately. As such, EDF is a significant user, but negligible consumer, of water.

Responsible use of water and Managing water withdrawal and consumption

The Group is committed to improving its performance in terms of water drawn and consumed for existing power plants, and to more efficient use of water at regional and water basin level. All production sites benefit from a water management plan.

The breakdown of water used in 2019 to cool EDF group’s thermal generation plants and by EDF is presented in the following charts and in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

Overall, 66% of the water used by the Group for cooling purposes is drawn from the sea or estuaries, where there is no risk of water shortage. These sources account for almost 60% in France, more than 99% in the United Kingdom and almost 91% in Italy.

It should be noted that the amount of fresh water drawn from the ground is minimal, about 0.01% of the fresh water drawn on the surface.

The figure for water drawn has decreased (of about 7%) compared with previous years, and the amount of fresh water drawn is down by around 2% due mainly to the sharp fall (60%) in coal-fired generation.

Geographical breakdown of water drawn to cool EDF group thermal generation plants (in %)

The heat sensitivity of fossil-fired power plants is diminishing with the closure of old coal- or oil-fired facilities located near rivers (such as Cottam in 2019 and Aramon in 2016). New thermal generation facilities are located near the sea (e.g. the Martigues CCGT) or equipped with air cooling systems (Blénod 5 and industrial commissioning of the very high performance Bouchain CCGT), which reduces water dependency. Water evaporated, which is comparable to the consumption of water necessary for cooling certain fossil-fired generation plants (closed circuit), accounts for only 1% of water drawn.

On that basis, almost 99% of all water drawn is returned to the environment. In accordance with local regulations governing discharges, Group companies implement measures to ensure that quality and temperature criteria are met, and they take corrective measures immediately if thresholds are exceeded.

EDF monitors a number of water quality parameters at and around its production sites such as pH, temperature, conductivity and oxygen concentration. The frequency of measurements and number of parameters measured depends on the location and type of facility. The EDF group has notably been publishing two of its indicators monitored, carbon 14⁽³⁾ and tritium⁽³⁾, for its nuclear plants for a number of years. There were no major water‑related environmental issues in 2019.

Breakdown of type of water drawn by continent (in % and in 10⁹ m³)

The exposure of the Group’s generation assets to water stress has been assessed and remains low as its facilities are located mainly in Europe (almost 99% of the total water drawn by the Group, of which over 87% in France and over 19% in the United Kingdom) and the majority of its nuclear and thermal generation plants are located near the sea.

Cooling water evaporated

The volume of evaporated water⁽⁴⁾ in absolute value (486 hm³) decreased 3%, as the drawn water. This decrease is mainly due to the generation mix (decrease of 4% of nuclear generation), where the most part of this volume is related to generation in France (95.7%) and in the UK (2.1%).

The specific consumption of water (evaporated water) for electrical generation, as well known as water intensity, is 0.87 l/kWh in 2019, flat compared to 0.86 l/kWh in 2018. Both ratio in sharp decrease related to 0.94 l/kWh in 2017, after the disposal of Poland coal-fired plants.

The stated aim is to progressively reduce specific water consumption by 2030 from the 2015 level (0.96 l/kWh), and not exceed the target of 0.95 l/kWh on average over five consecutive years. This threshold, which is much lower than the industry average, particularly in the US⁽⁵⁾ serves to put an exceptional climatic year, which will significantly increase or decrease the annual indicator, into perspective. 2015-2019 average water intensity was 0.91 l/kWh. Based on the planned changes to generation facilities, fresh water drawn and used at Group level is expected to fall in coming years.

EDF, an environmentally-friendly company (in l/kWh)

Goal: < 0.95 l/kWh in average over five years (2015-2030).

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⁽¹⁾ Data applying a full consolidation method.
⁽²⁾ Number of large dams in gross data (262 dams net), regardless of EDF group’s equity interest in these dams, and based on the French classification system (decree no. 2015-526) relating to class A and B dams (over 10 metres high).⁽³⁾ See the report of these indicators on page 38 for EDF in France and page 39 for EDF in the United Kingdom.
⁽⁴⁾ Of which 98.9% of fresh water.
⁽⁵⁾ Intensity ranging between 1.43 and 3.54 l/kWh, see “Regional water consumption for hydro and thermal electricity generation in the United States”, in Applied Energy Journal, May 2017.

Biodiversity

The Group has been actively involved in addressing biodiversity issues for decades as most of its industrial facilities are located in or near protected sites. In 2016, the Group made protecting biodiversity one of its Corporate Social Responsibility Goals with a view to achieving its long-term strategy. CSRG 6, which covers the Group scope, concerns the life cycle of facilities, from project design to construction and operation, through to the end of their useful life. It extends to the entire value chain. This illustrates the Group’s determination to develop a positive approach to biodiversity by improving its practices and endeavouring to avoid causing irreversible harm to the environment, going beyond an approach that focuses solely on reducing the impacts of its industrial activities on ecosystems.

The CSRG works towards Sustainable Development Goals  14 (conservation of life below water) and 15 (protection of life on land) set by the United Nations in 2015. In 2018, the Group’s commitment in the Act4nature initiative sets out how it will be deployed and breaks it down into five major objectives: get all Group business activities involved, understand biodiversity issues and implement concrete actions, innovate for biodiversity, enter into an open, participative process, and contribute to public policy.

The Group applies the principles of the mitigation hierarchy⁽¹⁾ or the specific regulations of the country in which it is operating, which may set even higher standards, particularly in Europe. In France, for example, Group companies apply the avoid-reduce-offset principle to all projects and existing facilities, which aims to avoid a net loss, and, preferably, even make a net gain in biodiversity, in line with article 69 of France’s Biodiversity Act. The Group’s practices have been compared with the international recommendations promoted by the BBOP⁽²⁾. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, EDF Energy targets a net positive impact before 2030.

Environmental issues, including biodiversity, are taken into account right from the design stage of a project to operation with a view to avoiding or reducing its impact. EDF seeks to reduce the land take to a minimum for all new projects. For deconstruction and dismantling projects, it aims to restore the natural environment. Biodiversity programmes are also implemented for facilities in operation. Their environmental and biodiversity impacts are monitored by public bodies (such as, in France, Ifremer, IRSN, Irstea, AFB*/Onema). The results are reported and publicly available.

EDF carries out an assessment of the biodiversity issues on its industrial sites and their immediate surroundings. Mandated by the company, UNEP-WCMC (World Conservation Monitoring Centre) carried out a vast study to assess the ecological sensitivity of places where the Group’s industrial sites are located, representing approximately 1,000 sites. Certain sites of the Group present bigger challenges in terms of biodiversity, either due to the proximity of a protected area, or due to the species they host. Thanks to the evaluation of the ecological value of its land, the company integrates biodiversity as one decision-making criterion in its industrial choices.

The Group aims to pay particular attention to sites presenting the strongest issues in terms of biodiversity, in particular:

• sites located in or near protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value (indicator G₄-EN₁₁);⁽³⁾
• sites located near a threatened species (indicator G₄-EN₁₄).⁽⁴⁾

Number of Red List species in municipalities where EDF sites are located (G₄ EN₁₄)
Data collected in 2019. Any change related to 2018 was observed.

CR : critically endangered; EN : endangered; VU : vulnerable.

Number of sites located in or near a protected area or an area rich in biodiversity^(a)

In 2019, EDF reviewed the indicator calculation methodology to take account of the latest changes to its geographical information system and better reflect the sites where a detailed ecological survey has been completed. At EDF Hydro, flood zones and areas of sites that could not be fully surveyed for topographical reasons or due to land fragmentation were reclassified.

Launched several years ago, the EDF ecological site survey programme has now been completed at several entities, which have surveyed all their sites. However, at EDF Hydro, where the survey programme is still ongoing, progress in the number of sites surveyed is structurally limited by the fragmentation, remoteness and inaccessibility of a good proportion of hydroelectric facility sites. The current programme, which should be completed in 2021, will have enabled EDF to survey the most interesting and most sensitive hydraulic sites, accordingly achieving the programme’s qualitative objectives, as quantitative objectives are of limited relevancy here.

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* AFB became "office français de la biodiversité" in 2020, January.
⁽¹⁾ IFC’s PS6 principle: performance standard 6 of the International Finance Corporation (a World Bank entity) framework focused on biodiversity and the sustainable management of living natural resources.
⁽²⁾ Business and Biodiversity Programme is an initiative that ran from 2004 to 2018. It promotes the use of best standardised practices through a network of experts and publications.
⁽³⁾ Disclosure 304-1; the protected areas chosen are either domestic or subject to international conventions agreements.
⁽⁴⁾ Disclosure 304-4; this is EDF's scope of activity for EN14.
^(a) The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, seeks to conserve wetlands of international importance.
^(b) UNESCO's MAB (Man and Biosphere) programme launched in 1970.
^(c) List of sites of particular importance to the common heritage of humankind (updated each year by UNESCO).

Conventional industrial waste

Conventional waste includes all waste produced by site development, operation and service activities and discharged over the year to an outside treatment facility. It does not include radioactive waste, which is reported separately, as it is subject to special regulations and treatment processes. Coal ash and gypsum from processes are also reported separately, given the amounts produced and their recycling potential (mainly in cement manufacturing). This category only covers waste discharged by sites and does not include waste that remains stored at the site pending discharge or any substances reused on site (e.g. soil and construction debris), or equipment that is reused (sold or donated). Waste from construction and decommissioning is included in the reporting if EDF group is responsible for managing it, but not if waste management comes under the responsibility of service providers.

Amount conventional waste

The indicator "Conventional waste" includes two types of waste:

• hazardous waste, defined by regulations as being explosive/combustible/ flammable, irritant/harmful/toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, infectious, reprotoxic/mutagenic, ecotoxic;
• non-hazardous waste, which refers to inert waste and non-hazardous industrial waste (with collection and treatment processes similar to household waste).

The overall amount of waste for the Group increased 44%, with a 6% decrease in hazardous waste (the weakest value ever reached) and a 50% increase in non-hazardous waste.

In 2019, the total production of waste account to 613,259 tonnes in France, 19,706 tonnes in the UK, 31,265 tonnes in Italy and 1,319 tonnes in Belgium. Fluctuations in tonnage from one year to the next are significantly impacted by investments and decommissioning programmes under way. The Group’s objective is to manage the end of the life cycle of its facilities efficiently and ensure that waste is recycled properly, rather than set any specific target as to the volume of waste produced. The increase in conventional waste in 2019 is mainly due to non-hazardous waste (208 kt) from a cleaning operation in hydro reservoir in France (evacuation of sediments in a cycle of maintenance each 10 or 15 years), fully recycled by local quarries. All other subsidiaries in the world accounted for less than 209 kt, stable compared to 2018. Dalkia disclosed a decrease of 18% in waste due to a lower digestate production in biogas plants (lower generation in 2019 vs 2018).

Recycling rate for conventional waste

Waste is recycled in two different ways:

• materials recovery: scrap iron and other metals, gravel and other aggregates;
• energy recovery: incineration of waste to produce energy (electricity or steam).

Amounts of waste and recycling from 2017 to 2019 are presented in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

Hazardous waste is harder to recycle. The Group therefore strives to reduce the amount of this type of waste it produces through concrete action to mitigate the characteristics that make it hazardous, for example by minimising the use of chemical products or by separating out the dangerous substances from concrete left over after building demolition to ensure a maximum amount of materials can be reused. EDF has also set up a project to encourage reuse throughout the Group and its subsidiaries. The target for total savings over a three-year period (2018-2020) have been set at €100 million. By the end of 2015, €15 million have been saved.

EDF’s sustainable development policy set a target to recycle 90% of all waste from across the Group by 2021. The recycling rate for all conventional waste (excluding fly ash and gypsum, which are fully recycled) rose from 85% in 2017 to 87.1% in 2018 and to 92.4% in 2019.

Ash

From 2017 to 2019, ash generation has decreased at least 73% per year, in line with the decrease of the fossil-fired generation. Combustion fly ash and gypsum produced by desulphurisation are recovered in full by all thermal generation plants in Europe (France, United Kingdom) and in China. Overall, several hundred thousand tonnes of ash are used in building roads and in the cement industry. In France, EDF’s fossil-fuel thermal plants produced 31,340 tonnes of ashes in 2019 (annual basis) and 113,971 (from the existing stock) were recycled in the cement and concrete sector (depletion of old inventory). Data is presented in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste is classified into different categories in accordance with regulations in specific countries depending on its nature, level of radioactivity and the lifespan of the radionuclides it contains. The Group operates nuclear power plants in four countries⁽¹⁾: France, the United Kingdom, the United States and, more recently, China. Radioactive waste indicators for 2017 to 2019 are presented by country in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document. China is not shown as commercial activity started there in 2018 and did not therefore produce any waste.

France

Radioactive waste is classified into four categories (VLLW, LLW, ILW and HLW) and is said to be "long-lived" if it has a half-life greater than 31 years. Figures from 2017 to 2019 are presented in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

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⁽¹⁾ In Belgium, the nuclear power plants are operated by Electrabel. EDF Belgium and EDF Luminus have a share of the ownership with rights on the energy generated.
⁽²⁾ The nuclear waste methodology was updated in 2017 (see section 3.9.2.2 "Methodology for social and environmental data" of the 2018 Reference Document).
⁽³⁾ The methodology for nuclear waste from decommissioning and operations was updated in 2016 (see section 3.9.2.2 "Methodology for social and environmental data"). In 2018, the methodology for waste from decommissioning and industrial operations was updated as part of the consolidation of Framatome. Framatome accounted for 1,383 m³ of very low-level radioactive waste (VLLW) from decommissioning and industrial operations in 2018.
* Further information on this nuclear waste from decommissioning: the total projected amount of nuclear waste from decommissioning (VLLW + LILW) for 2019 was 2,100 m³ (the actual figure in 2019 was 3,266 m³). The total projected amount for 2020 is 960 m³ for VLLW, 500 m3 for LILW and 610 tonnes for waste sent to Centraco. Year-on-year changes are due to the different decommissioning phases.

◙  2019 indicator audited for limited assurance by KPMG SA.

United Kingdom

Radioactive waste is classified as high-, intermediate- or low-level waste (HLW, ILW and LLW respectively) with each type processed differently. Figures from 2017 to 2019 are presented in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

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◙  2019 indicator audited for limited assurance by KPMG SA.

United States

The radioactive waste indicators of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG) are given in a separate table and are based on regulations applied in the United States. CENG is 49.99% owned by the Group. Figures from 2017 to 2019 are presented in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

Radioactive emissions

Nuclear power plants do not emit direct CO₂, SO₂ or NOx gases as do the fossil-fired ones. However, they do release radioactive effluents into the air and water.

For EDF in France, the environmental control systems monitoring radioactive emissions on a regular basis involve between 5,000 and 20,000 annual measurements for each nuclear power plant. Measurements are made in the terrestrial ecosystem and in the ambient air, as well as in surface and ground water receiving liquid effluents.
This monitoring programme meets regulatory requirements and is subject to the prior approval of the ASN. In order to become a member of the French national network of environmental radioactivity measurement (RNM) set up by the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), France’s national institute for radiation protection and nuclear safety, EDF requested accreditation for its laboratories. This was obtained by decision of the ASN in June 2009.

To further minimise its environmental impact, EDF has put in place an active approach to treating its radioactive effluents to continue reducing them down as low as reasonably achievable.

EDF group has been obtaining results for liquid effluent emissions from its nuclear power plants that have remained well below regulatory limits for over 15 years.

Liquid effluent and atmospheric emissions of Carbon-14 and Tritium⁽¹⁾ are monitored for emitting companies. The radioactivity of a substance is measured in becquerels (Bq, the SI unit of radioactivity). This unit represents levels that are so low that multiples are normally used: GBq (gigabecquerels) or TBq (terabecquerels).

Figures from 2017 to 2019 are presented in the table "Summary of indicators" at the end of this document.

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⁽¹⁾ Tritium, a hydrogen isotope, has a low level of radioactivity and is produced in the primary circuit coolant of nuclear reactors. It exists naturally in small doses in seawater and rainwater.
⁽²⁾ The nuclear waste methodology was updated in 2017 (see section 3.9.2.2 "Methodology for social and environmental data").
⁽³⁾ Boiling water reactor: power reactors used in some American power plants.
⁽⁴⁾ Pressurised water reactor: the most commonly used nuclear reactors worldwide.

◙  2019 indicator audited for limited assurance by KPMG SA.

Environmental protection expenditure

Environmental protection expenditure is the additional identifiable expenditure aimed at preventing, reducing or repairing the potential or effective damage caused by the company’s activities. This definition is based on the recommendation issued by the Conseil National de la Comptabilité (the French national accounting council) on 21 October 2003, which, in turn, is based on the European recommendation of 30 May 2001. Environmental protection expenditure is distributed across the 11 budget areas of the Eurostat classification (the European Commission’s Directorate General for the Environment):

1. Protection of ambient air
2. Limiting of greenhouse gas emissions
3. Wastewater management
4. Waste management
5. Protection and decontamination of soil, groundwater and surface water
6. Noise and vibration abatement
7. Protection of biodiversity and the natural environment
8. Radiation protection
9. Research & Development
10. Demand-side management
11. Other environmental protection activities

These indicators can show significant fluctuations from year to year, depending on the Group’s commitments on projects, investments and studies in progress. Figures from 2017 to 2019 are presented in the table "Summary of Indicators" at the end of this document.

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⁽¹⁾ Excluding legal fees for final court decisions.
⁽²⁾ Including companies covered by the Group’s ISO 14001 certification and excluding companies managed independently.
⁽³⁾ GRI: Global Reporting Initiative – version GRI standards.