Facts and commitments

The progress of integrating social responsibility into the Company’s business model led to concrete actions in 2010, consistent with the guidelines outlined in the Sustainable Development Policy defined in 2009. The aim of this process was to combine the pursuit of economic objectives with a steady reduction of environmental and social impacts.

In 2010, Edison continued to provide its contribution to the fight against climate change, giving concrete form to its commitment through the implementation of various projects. Significant examples include: expansion of energy production from renewable sources, research and innovation for technologies with a low environmental impact, and, through the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development Business Unit, support to industrial customers for a rational use of energy resources and renewable-source production. The results of these efforts were a reduction in the level of specific CO2 emissions (specific emission 486 g/kWh) by power plants and an increase in the contribution provided by renewable sources to Edison’s generating mix.

In 2010, the International Biodiversity Year, Edison, consistent with an action plan to manage and protect biodiversity in the areas where it operates, developed a methodology to analyze biodiversity levels at its operating locations, aimed at defining concrete objectives for managing and maintaining its performance level.

The Company’s occupational safety performance reached levels of excellence both in Italy and abroad, also regarding the employees of contractors, for whom the Company developed numerous education and training programs about occupational safety.

In 2010 the Group reached the milestone of one million end customers,  just two years after entering the residential electric power market.

With regard to community projects, the programs carried out by the Company in 2010 addressed issues concerning the territories where it operates, young people and young children, focusing on a few priority areas: the promotion of sustainable development, energy efficiency, sports and culture.