Greenhouse gas emissions

Background on CO₂ emissions

For several years, EDF group has published data on its direct emissions due to electricity and heat generation. There was a slight increase in these emissions between 2016 and 2017.

EDF Group – Total net direct CO₂ emissions due to electricity and heat generation

In France, this increase in emissions stems from higher demand for fossil- fired energy (coal and gas) due to two factors: very low rainfall and lower availability of nuclear power (caused by contingencies as well as units maintained shut on request from the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN)). A significant rise was also noted in the United Kingdom, where fossil fuel-based thermal generation was more competitive on the electricity market.

These results also include 11 months of electricity and heat generation from fossil-fired power plants in Poland, which were sold in November 2017.

Despite fluctuations in EDF group’s direct emissions, they have been on an overall downward trend since 2007, as shown in the following graph.

Change in EDF Group’s direct CO₂ emissions in absolute and specific values from 2006 to 2017

Other greenhouse gas emissions

In addition to carbon dioxide (CO₂), the main greenhouse gas, fossil-fired power plants (coal, fuel oil and gas) release methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) which also contribute to climate change. The values for these emissions are presented in the table of environmental indicators.

EDF Group – CH₄, N₂O et SF₆ emissions (in kt CO₂ eq.)

• CH₄ emissions rose slightly (3%) with the increase in thermal generation in France (gas, fuel oil and coal) and the United Kingdom (coal and gas).
• N₂O emissions declined 30% between 2016 and 2017, mainly due to the termination of the wood sourcing contract for EDF Polska’s dual fuel power plants and the drop in biomass generation at Edison.
• Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) is a colourless, odourless, non-toxic and non-flammable gas. It is an excellent insulator for electrical equipment that as a result is widely used for the high- and medium-voltage circuit breakers of transmission and distribution networks. In large fossil-fired and hydro plants, the gas is found in circuit breakers and shielded (metal-clad) substations.

EDF's SF₆ emissions in France have fallen steadily in recent years (down 21% in 2017, 2% in 2016, 20% in 2015, 10% in 2014 and 13% in 2013), mainly due to ongoing works to modernise storage equipment.

At Group level, emissions fell between 2017 and 2016 (down 22%), a seven-year low for the Nuclear Generation Division, as a result of lower emissions produced by nuclear power plants achieved through the ongoing programme to renovate metal-clad substations at nuclear power plants, preventive measures taken at some sites and tighter monitoring by outside contractors that deal with these substances. These efforts, along with the drop seen in Brazil (Norte Fluminense), have substantially offset the slight increase in the United Kingdom (EDF Energy).

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 table 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;
• to a lesser extent, nitrogen oxides (NOx).

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, COV (volatile organic compounds) and NH3 (ammonia). EDF’s activities in mainland France, Corsica and overseas France account for less than 3% of the national ceiling for NOx (2.2% or 810 kt) and less than 2% for SO₂ (1.7% or 375 kt).

EDF Group - SO₂ emissions from electricity and heat generation (in kt)

The drop in SO₂ emissions is due to the reduction in biomass generation and the improvements made in Poland to desulphurisation systems that paid off over the year in 2017. EDF Polska’s efforts in this area (installation of flue gas desulphurisation – FGD – plants in Kraków, Gdańsk and Gdynia) were responsible for a large part of the reduction observed in Poland.

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

The 6% increase in NOx emissions reflects higher coal-fired generation, partly offset by the Group’s investments to boost the environmental performance of its facilities.

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 23 GW and 301 large dams in the world. Water is also needed for cooling fossil-fired plants and for extracting and refining oil and gas products.

Hydroelectricity, i.e. water, also plays an important role in electric systems. Reservoirs and wastewater treatment plants are used to store water that can be rapidly transformed into electric energy. Reservoirs are thus a form of large-scale electricity storage (14 GW available in around 10 minutes in France), which is essential for covering peak consumption periods, developing intermittent renewable energies and responding to incidents in order to avoid blackouts.

In France, EDF manages 7.5 billion cubic metres of water stored in its reservoirs, representing around 75% of the country’s artificial water reserves. At Group level, some 50 billion cubic metres of water are drawn for cooling thermal generation plants, with 99% discharged back into the environment almost immediately. EDF, therefore, draws significant amounts of water but consumes very little.

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.

The breakdown of water used in 2017 to cool EDF group’s thermal generation plants and by EDF is presented in the following charts and the table of environmental indicators.

Breakdown of water drawn to cool EDF Group thermal generation plants (in %)

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.

The figure for water drawn rose by less than 1%, mainly reflecting an increase in fossil fuel-based thermal generation in France and the United Kingdom. In light of the changes planned for some Group assets, including the closure of old fossil-fired power plants, the amount of fresh water drawn and consumed – currently stable for the most part – will fall in the years to come.

Geographical breakdown of water drawn to cool EDF group thermal generation plants

The heat sensitivity of fossil-fired power plants is diminishing in France with the closure of old coal- or oil-fired facilities located near rivers. The Aramon power plant, for example, was closed 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.

Breakdown of type of water drawn by continent (in % and 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 77% in France and over 18% in the United Kingdom) and the majority of its nuclear and thermal generation plants are located near the sea.

EDF group’s specific consumption of water evaporated

The specific consumption of water evaporated per kilowatt hour of electricity generated by the Group’s fossil-fired, gas-fired and nuclear power plants came to 1.03 litres/kWh. These values are lower than the averages for the sector published in specialist literature because open circuits and salt water are used for certain plants, 1.8 l/kWh to 2.8 l/kWh according to the International Atomic Energy Agency⁽²⁾. Accounting for energy produced by renewables, which do not use water, specific consumption is even lower, at 0.94 l/kWh.

Every month EDF reports the results of the various measures used to monitor water quality by its laboratories specialised in the environment, all ASN approved, located near nuclear power plants. Each of them has its own authorisation to draw and discharge water.

Specific consumption (in l/kWh)

⁽¹⁾ Number of large dams in gross data (270 dams net), regardless of the equity interest of EDF group’s 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).
⁽²⁾ Extract from the report Efficient Water Management in Water Cooled Reactors, International Atomic Energy Agency, 2012.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is an area where EDF has chosen to become actively involved, articulated as one of its Corporate Social Responsibility Goals (CSRGs). CSR Goal no. 6, which covers the Group scope, concerns the life cycle of facilities, from project review to construction and operation, through to the end of their life cycle. It extends to the entire value chain, including purchasing policies and relations with suppliers and subcontractors.

Furthermore, the Group’s biodiversity policy is part of an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system (EMS). It is based on three objectives, in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (G4) indicators:

• develop knowledge of natural environments and the potential impacts of the Group’s activities on their ecosystems;
• conserve biodiversity by protecting or restoring natural areas;
• inform employees and nearby residents, raise their awareness level and provide them with training, and engage in dialogue with scientific communities and non-profit organisations in particular.

The impacts of electricity industry activities on biodiversity (G4 EN 12)⁽¹⁾ mainly concern water and aquatic biodiversity, natural terrestrial habitats and birdlife. Furthermore, EDF manages 41,000 hectares of land in France. Most of its generation sites are located in or near protected sites (80% of hydropower sites are in or near a Natura 2000 site). This land is protected from agriculture and urbanisation, and is close to watercourses, which are factors that encourage biodiversity. Some areas around fossil-fired or hydro plants can constitute areas for biodiversity protection or restoration. Taking biodiversity into account is now leading to EDF group becoming a steward of natural areas, very often in partnership with local non-profit organisations, either in the context of the introduction and management of offsetting measures or on a voluntary basis on its own land (G4-EN13 and G4-EU13)⁽¹⁾.

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)⁽²⁾;
• sites located near a Red List species (indicator G4-EN14)⁽³⁾.

Number of EDF sites located in or near protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value (G4 EN 11)

Data collected in 2016

Number of Red List species in municipalities where EDF sites are located (G4 EN 14)

Data collected in 2017

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

⁽¹⁾ For further information, see the Group’s Reference Document (section 3.2.2.2 “Biodiversity”).
⁽²⁾ In 2017, scope EDF and EDF Energy for EN11.
⁽³⁾ In 2017, scope EDF SA for EN14.

Conventional industrial waste

Conventional industrial 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 the 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.

Recycling rate for conventional industrial waste

The indicator “Conventional industrial waste” includes two types of waste:

• hazardous waste, defined as such by regulations if it has one of more of the following characteristics: 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).

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).

Recycling rate for waste (in %)

Amounts of waste and recycling for 2015 to 2017 are presented in the table of environmental indicators. The overall amount of waste for the Group fell 10%, with a 2% increase in hazardous waste and an 11% decrease in non-hazardous waste.

The marked decrease in conventional waste in 2017 is due primarily to non-hazardous waste produced by major projects under way in France: implementation of the Grand Carénage programme to renovate nuclear power plants; works for the installation of a new hydroelectric generator at La Coche hydropower plant; works to extend a storage building at Velaines, and continuation of thermal power plant decommissioning works (with activity down in 2017). 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.

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) remained high (see table of environmental indicators).

Impact of construction, decommissioning and maintenance activities

In 2017, construction, decommissioning and maintenance activities remained strong, particularly in France (including the island energy systems) and the United Kingdom with the Hinkley Point worksite, impacting the total volume of waste generated and recycled. The projects included the first phases of the Grand Carénage programme in the French nuclear sector and the service sector worksite for Partner industrial sites, decommissioning of thermal generation plants in mainland France (Richemont, Champagne, Vitry and Martigues) and in the islands (Martinique and Corsica), and large-scale maintenance operations (La Coche).

In France, waste management organisation plans are systematically drawn up before each major construction, decommissioning or maintenance site, and a “lessons learnt” phase is coordinated annually by EDF’s business divisions with a view to continuously improving practices.

Moreover, EDF’s sustainable development policy includes a recycling target of 90% for green list waste (internal list of waste that can be recycled using the meshed network of facilities throughout France). In 2017, EDF’s guidelines covered 269 categories of waste, of which 165 were included on the green list.

For the past several years, the recycling rate has outpaced the 90% target. EDF has reached an asymptotic level of performance, in which its teams’ continuous efforts have become more difficult to assess.

Recycling rate for green list waste (in %)

Waste associated with oil and gas activities

Waste generated by oil and gas activities includes:

• residual sludge from drilling operations;
• aqueous solution produced by drilling operations.

Relative to other Group activities, gas activities generate very little waste apart from residual water from gas extraction, which is classified as nonhazardous waste.

At the San Giorgio Mare operations site, and in line with Italian regulations, residue is treated on site at the Santa Maria a Mare field. Under applicable guidelines, this waste would not be reported. However, this waste is reported as non-hazardous conventional waste to remain consistent with figures reported by Edison. For information purposes, these amounts came to 14,952 t in 2015, 12,378 t in 2016 and 10,979 t in 2017.

Amounts of waste for 2015 to 2017 are presented in the table of environmental indicators. The total amount of waste fell 12% between 2016 and 2017. As a result, the amount of recycled waste automatically fell in line with the decrease in non-hazardous waste (down 11%).

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 three countries: France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 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.

NB. To ensure consistency of measurement units, radioactive waste is converted into cu. metres. The previous m3/TWh values are shown for information purposes. Radioactive waste is shown by reactor and operational unit.

In United Kingdom

Radioactive waste is classified as high-, intermediate- or low-level waste (HLW, ILW and LLW respectively) with each type processed differently.

United States

Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG) is 49.99% owned by the Group. This company is accounted for under the equity method and is therefore not consolidated in the Group’s figures (see Methodology section). However, to provide the most comprehensive information possible, radioactivity indicators are presented specific to CENG in the table of environmental indicators.

NB. To ensure consistency of measurement units, radioactive waste is converted into cu. metres. The previous m3/TWh values are shown for information purposes. Radioactive waste is shown by reactor and operational unit.
⁽¹⁾ The methodology for decommissioning nuclear waste was updated in 2016 (see section 3.4.2 “Methodology for social and environmental data” in the 2017 Reference Document).
* Values determined in accordance with new methodologies are shown in brackets. NA: not available.

Radioactive emissions

Nuclear power plants do not produce any direct CO₂, SO₂, or NOx emissions. 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 Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN), France’s national nuclear safety authority. 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 has been obtaining results for liquid effluent emissions from its nuclear power plants that have remained well below regulatory limits for over 10 years.

Liquid effluent and atmospheric emissions of Carbon 14 and Tritium⁽¹⁾ are monitored for emitting companies. Indicators for radioactive emissions from 2015 to 2017 are presented by country in the table of environmental indicators.

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).

NB. To ensure consistency of measurement units, radioactive waste is converted into cu. metres. The previous m3/TWh values are shown for information purposes. Radioactive waste is shown by reactor and operational unit.
⁽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 3.4.2 “Methodology for social and environmental data” in the 2017 Reference Document).
⁽³⁾ The methodology for nuclear waste decommissioning and operations was updated in 2016 (see section 3.4.2 “Methodology for social and environmental data” in the 2017 Reference Document).
* Values determined in accordance with new methodologies are shown in brackets. NA: not available. du Document de Référence 2017).

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.

In 2017, environmental protection expenditure remained stable compared with 2016, with a slight decrease due to the amount of provisions set aside.

⁽¹⁾ The nuclear waste methodology was updated in 2017 (see section 3.4.2 “Methodology for social and environmental data” in the 2017 Reference Document).
⁽²⁾ The methodology for nuclear waste decommissioning and operations was updated in 2016 (see section 3.4.2 “Methodology for social and environmental data” in the 2017 Reference Document).