Nuclear
Along with local partners, the Group initiates concrete biodiversity action plans at four nuclear power plants located on the Rhône River: Bugey, Saint-Alban, Cruas and Tricastin.
Changes in land and over-sea use
EDF commits to monitor and ultimately limit soil sealing when converting its former fossil-fired power plants in mainland France. The Group is also committed to strengthening biodiversity conservation measures on its own land or that managed under state concessions. To achieve this commitment, it will include good biodiversity practices in agreements on land that it signs with third parties, and will also systematically implement environmental management plans at all solar farms with biodiversity issues.
Overexploitation of resources
The wood used in EDF Group’s heating systems comes from sustainably managed forests. Dalkia’s Bois Energie France subsidiary is in charge of supplying wood and is PEFC certified, so the Group has no specific actions in regard to forestry in France.
Climate change
EDF Group already has one of the best low-carbon generation mixes in Europe and the world*. To work towards the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C, EDF Group has committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through: reducing its direct CO₂ emissions to zero or close to zero; reducing its indirect emissions as much as possible within the framework of national policies in force; and offsetting residual emissions through negative emission projects. The Group has raised its 2030 half-way target for a reduction in direct CO2 emissions from 40% to 50%.**
Practically
Citelum is the EDF subsidiary with responsibility for smart public lighting and urban equipment solutions. To be able to adjust artificial lighting and improve the wellbeing of local fauna, Citelum will begin research work into the technical aspects of lighting and scientific knowledge of its impacts. The company has committed to develop a method in 2021 and measure its effectiveness on at least one public site and one EDF production site by 2022.
Pollution
EDF has made commitments in two areas:
- To reduce water and soil pollution by pursuing its programme to halt the use of phytosanitary products at all its industrial sites except in places where there are security issues
- To reduce light pollution by introducing efficient means of measuring the impact of artificial light on fauna.
Invasive alien species
EDF has committed to continue its actions to counter the proliferation of invasive alien species, primarily in Corsica and in the ultra-marine territories where it is present. The company also commits to expanding the use of certified local seeds for planting or restoration operations in areas where this policy is in place.
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* EDF Group 2019 direct CO2 emissions, excluding life cycle analysis (LCA) of production means and fuel: 55 g/kWh produced. European Union average: 282 g/kWh produced. Global average for the electricity sector: 485 g/kWh produced. Source: International Energy Agency, Sept. 2019.
** (2) Direct CO2emissions, excluding life cycle analysis (LCA) of production means and fuel.