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Commitment to environmental protection 

Endesa aspires to have an "excellent" environmental management policy, focusing on its environmental impacts and protection of the environment in the communities in which it operates. Environmental awareness is strong across all the company's processes, systems and people and characterises its corporate culture.

In 2009, Endesa therefore continued to fulfil its Commitment to the Environment by conducting its activities in an environmentally-friendly manner, making progress with the roll-out and certification of environmental management systems, and dedicating resources to protecting biodiversity. The company also remains committed to ensuring environmentally-related information is transparent and to providing training and disseminating information on environmental issues.

Meeting our goals

Meeting our goals
CHALLENGES ACTION TAKEN
Definition and classification of emissions to be controlled, and develop control and measurement programmes.
  • Completion of the Environmental Action Plan to reduce atmospheric emissions from thermal power stations in Spain.
  • 78.8% reduction in SO2 emissions, 21.8% cut in NOx emissions, and a 55.5% decrease in particulate emissions over the last three years.
  • Roll-out in Latin America of European methodology for controlling CO2 emissions from thermal power stations.
  • Preparation of Annual Report on Atmospheric Emissions from Endesa Chile’s thermal power stations.
Incorporation of biodiversity conservation criteria in operating procedures.

Founding of a Biodiversity Committee in Latin America. This Committee’s first tasks are:

  • To perform an inventory of the biodiversity measures adopted to date.
  • To compile information on regulations, policies and plans relating to biodiversity conservation and similar issues in each country.
  • To identify tenders relating to this issue, in which projects performed by the companies comprising the Committee could potentially partake.
Development of the biodiversity conservation strategic programme.
  • Implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Programme to reinforce an internal culture, unlock the value of our assets, and instil this culture across all the company’s operations.
  • San Ignacio del Huinay Foundation in Chile:
    • Protect and perform research into fiords.
    • Publish the guide on benthic fauna in the Chilean Patagonia.
    • Second scientific expedition to the Patagonian lakes.
  • In Spain:
    • Clean-up and removal of waste, restoration of perimeter fence, and improvements to access to Sineu Lagoon (Majorca).
    • Project for environmental improvement at the Cortijo de La Torre located at Bolonia Cove in Tarifa (Cadiz).
  • Signing of agreements with different entities.
Review of environmental accounting.
  • Endesa’s accumulated environmental investments and expenditure: Euro 1,920 million and Euro 70.29 million, respectively.
  • Environmental investments and expenses mainly relate to environmental protection activities, environmental management systems, improvements of facilities, regeneration of areas with high ecological value, and the purchase of carbon certificates.
Software tool for the integration and treatment of environmental data and indicators.
  • System for the thorough monitoring of all emissions to control characteristics and volumes emitted thereof.
  • Compliance with parameters stipulated by law, roll-out of technologies that curb emissions, and design measures to reverse resulting impacts.
  • Completion of the Environmental Action Plan to reduce atmospheric emissions from thermal power stations in Spain.
Review of the pertinent forums, and awards and recognition given for Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Participation in most pertinent forums. Four Corporate Social Responsibility awards and recognition for environmental work.

Unlocking the value of preserving the natural surroundings of our assets.

Through the Endesa Natural Surroundings programme, the company coordinates and implements a number of environmental conservation and protection projects, leading to advanced biodiversity measures including:

  • Carbon Offset Plan.
  • Signing of agreements with different entities.
Improvement of integrated management of reservoir usage.
  • Characterisation of reservoirs based on three factors: quality and use of the water, and ecology.
  • Endesa Chile study into the trophic state of reservoirs in the Ralco and Pangue mountain range.
Analysis of new regulations.

Collection of information on different regulations on the elimination of dried up sections of rivers applicable in each country.

We propose

  • Steps to improve the integrated water management system.
  • Implementation of the management methodology and programmes to achieve a balance between assumable risks and investment costs.
  • Further development of the environmental management systems by obtaining certification for more facilities.
  • A limit of the impact of emissions regulations on Endesa. Measurement protocols.
  • Steps to manage biodiversity conservation.

Sign in here to file environmental claims.

Our commitment is expounded in the following items:

Endesa’s response to environmental challenges

Endesa is committed to boosting energy efficiency, the rational use of natural resources, and minimising waste, emissions, spillages, and other environmental impacts. This environmental activity, founded on continual improvements, forms one of the sustainability building blocks of Endesa's decision-making process and work.

Environmental protection

In recent years, several factors have driven Endesa to give priority to the environment. On the one hand, environmental conservation has become one of the issues that the public value most highly when judging the performance of energy companies. Meanwhile, environmental legislation has been tightened and it has become commonplace for companies in the sector to introduce certified environmental management systems across the board.   In order to minimise the company's impact on the environment, achieve full social acceptance, and position itself as a leader in environmental conservation, Endesa is committed to achieving a high degree of transparency in this regard, and to moving forward hand-in-hand with its stakeholders. This commitment is reflected in its Environmental Policy, which governs all the company's actions in this area.

Endesa’s Environmental Policy

Endesa regards environmental excellence as a core value of its corporate culture. Accordingly, in all its activities the company is respectful of the environment and conforms to the principles of sustainable development, and is firmly committed to the conservation and efficient use of resources.

Fulfilling their commitments

To meet its environmental commitments, Endesa applies the following basic principles, which are the main pillars of its environmental policy:

  • Integration of environmental management and the concept of sustainable development in corporate strategy, using environmental criteria documented in the planning and decision-making processes.
  • Rational use of resources and reduction of waste production, emissions, effluents and other environmental effects, through the application of continuous improvement programmes and the establishment of environmental objectives and targets, ensuring that Endesa’s plants and activities are increasingly respectful of the environment.
  • Permanent monitoring, at all locations, of legislative compliance and regular reviews of its plants’ environmental performance and safety, reporting on the results obtained.
  • Conservation of the facilities’ natural surroundings by adopting measures designed to protect plants and animals and their habitats.
  • Application of the cleanest, most efficient and economically viable technologies at its facilities and promotion of technological research and development of renewable energy sources.
  • Raising awareness of and sensitivity to environmental protection issues, through internal and external training programmes and collaboration with public-sector authorities, institutions and citizens’ associations in all areas where it is active.
  • Encouraging contractors and suppliers to implement environmental policies based on these same principles.
  • Promoting energy saving and the rational and balanced use of energy sources among its clients and across society in general.

2008-2012 Environment Plan

Endesa's 2008-2012 Environment Plan sets out the objectives, programmes and initiatives included in the 2008-2012 Sustainability Plan, and underpins the progress made through the 2003-2007 Strategic Environment and Sustainable Development Plan (PEMADS), and therefore applies the principles established in the company's Environmental Policy. The Plan has three main lines: combating climate change, fully implemented in the 2008-2012 Strategic Plan, due to its importance and implications for the business; striving for excellence in Environmental Management, which in turn has implemented three strategic objectives: integrated water management, environmental risk and contingencies and advanced environmental management; the third line focuses on managing biodiversity conservation. El Plan está sustentado en tres ejes estratégicos: la lucha contra el cambio climático, desarrollado en su totalidad en el PES 2008-2012, debido a su especial relevancia e implicaciones para el negocio; la búsqueda de la excelencia en la gestión ambiental, que desarrolla a su vez tres ejes estratégicos: la gestión integral del agua, los riesgos y pasivos medioambientales y la gestión ambiental avanzada; el tercer eje se centra en la gestión de la conservación de la biodiversidad.

The fight against climate change

The fight against climate change has five strategic objectives:

  • Actively participating in the development of renewable energies.
  • Spearheading new developments in technology leading to reduced CO2 emissions and a change to the energy model.
  • Developing of energy efficiency and cogeneration opportunities.
  • Leading the development of a sustainable transport model based on electric vehicles.
  • Developing a portfolio of Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM).

Seeking excellence in environmental management

Three strategic objectives:

1.Integrated water management. Several work programmes will be rolled out:

  • Promotion of efficient use of water and protect water quality in all processes.
  • Treatment of waste water and ensure effective control of spillages at all facilities, including minimising waste and spills.
  • Elimination of dried up sections of rivers through programmes to ensure minimum flows.
  • Integration of reservoir management, involving measuring the quality of water therein and applying corrective measures where necessary to improve the physical and ecological conditions and use of reservoirs.

2.Management of environmental risk and damages. Through steps such as:

  • Classification all facilities based on the environmental risks and liabilities to which they are exposed.
  • Evaluation risk by applying the methodology developed in 2009.
  • Management of risks by implementing measures to mitigate risks classified as critical and eliminate specific environmental contingencies.

3.Advanced environmental management. The following steps will be taken to achieve this goal:

  • ISO 14001 and EMAS certification programmes, improving the quality of environmental management and minimising impacts on the environment.
  • Integrated systems: environment, quality and safety and risk prevention.
  • Development of a new methodology for evaluating new projects based on sustainability criteria.
  • Environmental Audit Programme.
  • Application of benchmark environmental management programme by contractors and suppliers.
  • Management of penalty proceedings in each company.
  • Improvements to environmental reporting.

A significant investment outlay

 

Endesa has invested heavily to achieve excellence in the area of environmental management. In 2009, accumulated environmental investments and expenditure amounted to Euro 1,920 million and Euro 70.29 million, respectively, exceeding the amounts spent in the previous year and remaining in line with that spent previously.

Accumulated investment in environmental assets (Euro million)
2007 2008 2009
1.482 1.158 1920

Expenditure on environmental assets (Euro million)
2007 2008 2009
109 62 70

Biodiversity conservation

The basic principles and values set out in Endesa's environmental policy include conserving the natural environment in the regions in which its facilities are located by adopting measures to protect flora and fauna and their habitats. The 2003-2007 Strategic Environment and Sustainable Development Plan included biodiversity conservation among its corporate programmes. This programme also formed the basis of the current Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Programme included in Endesa's 2008-2012 Environment Plan, and has been carried out through a number of valuable activities to conserve habitats and species.

Endesa’s approach

It is impossible to transform natural resources into products and services for humans without affecting to some extent the natural ecosystems in which these resources are found. During 2009, Endesa followed this clear and simple principle to implement the second year of its Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Programme by continuing its proactive approach to minimising waste, emissions, spillages and other environmental impacts on natural resources, while at the same time promoting the efficient and responsible use of the assets and services that derive from these resources. All these issues are critical to preserving biodiversity. Moreover, Endesa has built upon its strategic programme by exploring opportunities and partaking in activities to directly conserve biodiversity, as shown in the following sections.

Structure of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Programme

Endesa's Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Programme takes a two-pronged approach which combines the action areas of this programme and the biodiversity components they target.

componentes de la biodiversidad

Matrix plan for biodiversity conservation

Components of biodiversity

Spaces

Species

Management uses

Habitat management

Native

Exotic invading

Adequacy of space applications and capabilities to the vocation of the territory Management of environmental features to protect, restore or promote populations of target species Direct actions on target populations of native species Control actions and / or eradication of species threatening biodiversity
Own facilities Adaptation to local environment and minimizing environmental impacts A1 B1 C1 D1
Areas of influence Harmonizing with its own facilities around a geographic scale, environmental and broader social A2 B2 C2 D2
Research projects Scientific and technical programs oriented to knowledge of biodiversity, its protection or its value A3 B3 C3 D3
Social-environmental projects Development and promotion of social values related to the environment and natural resources A4 B4 C4 D4
Flagship Projects Unique projects for the study of biodiversity, by location or objectives A5 B5 C5 D5

This matrix, which was conveniently updated in 2009, defines a total of 20 divisions representing the 20 types of action taken by Endesa in relation to biodiversity. This structure enables the company to find solutions to the interactions between its own activity, biodiversity conservation, sustainable management of its assets, and society's calls for the rational use of natural resources. As shown below, the geographical scope of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Programme is not limited to the specific countries or regions in which Endesa operates, but goes beyond these boundaries to encompass any area where there is an opportunity to protect biodiversity that fits in with the company's objectives and capabilities.

2009 sample actions of Endesa's Biodiversity Conservation

2009 was a landmark year for Endesa in terms of biodiversity conservation, since the majority of its Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Programme was rolled out with the participation of all the company's lines of business. The main steps taken focused on two priority areas:

  • Projects to restore and improve local habitats and areas affected by the company's facilities.
  • Projects and studies on conserving biodiversity with a socio-environmental component.

In addition to these two priority areas for 2009, biodiversity activities set out in practically all the divisions of the basic matrix of the programme have continued. In general, this work has focused on achieving the following specific objectives:

  • Adapting the physical environment to increase its ability to encourage biodiversity.
  • Managing environmental factors (processes) which help improve the habitats of certain species in particular or the biotopes they comprise.
  • Identifying natural ecosystems in order to identify their ability to respond to pressures caused through their use, or to unlock the value of the natural assets they represent or house.
  • Preserving indigenous species.
  • Controlling and eradicating invasive exotics with a severe ecological impact.
In 2009, the company selected 30 different biodiversity initiatives with different areas of action.

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