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Environmental management
We make sustainable use of natural resources
At Endesa we carry out our activities in an environmentally friendly way and we are committed to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
100%
of generation and distribution ISO 14001 certified
86%
of peninsular generation from non-emitting technologies.
100%
of facilities with emission reduction targets via a Transition Plan embedded in the Strategic Plan.
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 12: Responsible production and consumption
SDG 13: Climate action
Principles of environmental action
- Our strategy is structured around a series of fundamental principles:
- Protection and enhancement of nature and biodiversity, aiming to achieve 'no net loss' and, where possible, a net gain in biodiversity.
- Prevention and mitigation of environmental impact, applying the best available techniques and driving continuous improvement in the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of facilities.
- Decisive climate action, contributing to the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C and reducing our direct and indirect emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3).
- Sustainable use of water, air, and soil, with special attention to water-stressed areas, air quality, and the restoration of degraded soils.
- Responsible waste management, prioritising reduction at source, reuse, and recovery, as well as the progressive elimination of hazardous substances.
- Promotion of the circular economy, favouring the use of secondary raw materials and renewable resources, and promoting eco-efficient design models.
- Innovation and digitalisation as levers to optimise processes, improve efficiency, and reinforce smart grids and energy storage.
- Training, transparency, and participation, fostering environmental culture both inside and outside the company, and maintaining an open dialogue with all our stakeholders.
A value chain committed to sustainability
Our approach is not limited to our direct operations. We require contractors and suppliers to comply with the same environmental standards, evaluating their performance and promoting best practices throughout the supply chain. Sustainability must be present from the sourcing of raw materials to the final delivery of services and products.
Management aligned with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement
All our environmental actions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Furthermore, our climate roadmap actively contributes to meeting the commitments of the Paris Agreement and national decarbonisation targets.
Certification of environmental management systems
The assessment of the environmental risks associated with the company’s activities and the environmental certificates granted by external bodies help to ensure the excellence of our environmental management, which is integrated into and aligned with our corporate strategy. These certifications mean that there is regular and systematic identification, assessment and control of any environmental impact that may be generated by our installations and operations.
We have an Environmental Management System certified according to ISO 14001 in 100% of our generation (renewable, hydro, thermal, and nuclear) and electricity distribution activities. Likewise, our port terminals and corporate buildings hold EMAS certification or equivalent standards.
We have incorporated natural capital, SDG, and climate risk criteria into our environmental monitoring system, reinforcing transparency in the management of significant impacts throughout our value chain.
Certificates
| Actividad | NORMA | % certificado en 2024 |
|---|---|---|
|
Electricity generation (thermal, hydraulic and renewable) |
ISO14001:2015 ISO 9001:2015 ISO 50001:2018 EMAS |
100%
100%
3 Thermal power plants 99.7% of the energy generated in thermal power plants is registered under the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). |
|
Nuclear generation |
ISO 14001:2025 ISO 9001:2015 | 100% |
|
Electricity distribution |
ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001 | 100% |
|
Port terminals |
ISO 14001, ISO 9001, EMAS, Residuo Cero | 100% |
|
Corporate headquarters and office buildings |
ISO 14001, ISO 90001, ISO 16000-40 |
5 main offices |
|
Retail |
ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001 | 100% |
We define the policies that establish our commitment to the sustainable use of natural resources in compliance with the requirements of the ISO standards:
Health, Safety, Environment, Quality and Energy Efficiency Policy of Endesa Generación (Spanish version)
PDF (0.69MB)
Download
Integrated Policy on Environmental, Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Management for Office Buildings - Servicios Iberia (Spanish Version)
PDF (0.82MB)
Download
We deliver excellence in environmental management through our certifications:
We communicate our environmental statements to all interested parties:
Environmental objectives
In line with our goal of net zero emissions by 2040, we are progressing with the phased closure of thermal facilities and boosting renewable generation. in 2024:
- We invested €3.4 billion in the energy transition (part of the 2024–2026 plan of €8.9 billion).
- We added 282 MW of net renewable capacity, reaching an installed capacity of 9,000 MW.
- 86% of peninsular generation came from technologies with no direct CO2 emissions
- The average emission intensity of generation was 0.12 tCO₂/MWh, one of the lowest in the sector.
These actions are aligned with our roadmap validated by SBTi and our commitment to the objectives of the NECP (National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan) and the EU Taxonomy Regulation.
|
PES Objectives (1) |
Units |
Scope |
Results 2024 | Results 2023 |
Strategic Plan 24-26 |
Strategic Plan 24-26 |
Strategic Plan 25-27 |
Strategic Plan 25-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Environmental Management System certified under ISO 14001 |
% of facilities |
Business facilities in Spain and Portugal |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
|
Reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions |
g/kWh |
Spain and Portugal. Thermal generation |
0.12 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.11 |
|
Reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions |
g/kWh |
Spain and Portugal. Thermal generation |
0.71 | 0.71 | 0.70 | 0.66 | 0.67 | 0.65 |
|
Reduction of particulate matter emissions |
g/kWh |
Spain and Portugal. Thermal generation |
0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
|
Specific water abstraction in the electricity generation process |
I/Mwh |
Spain and Portugal. Thermal and nuclear generation |
59.4 | 74.3 | 70.6 | 59.7 | 60.7 | 56.2 |
|
PES Objectives (1) |
Units |
Waste hierarchy |
Scope |
Results 2024 | Results 2023 |
Strategic Plan 24-26 |
Strategic Plan 24-26 |
Strategic Plan 25-27 |
Strategic Plan 25-27 |
|
Promotion of minimization in the production of waste generated in the electricity generation process |
Tonnes |
Prevention |
Spain and Portugal. Renewable, thermal and nuclear generation |
22,444 |
20.210 |
- |
< 14.000 |
16,300 |
15,250 |
|
PES Objectives (1) |
Units |
Scope |
Results 2024 | Results 2023 |
Strategic Plan 24-26 |
Strategic Plan 24-26 |
Strategic Plan 25-27 |
Strategic Plan 25-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Investment in grid resilience and digitalization |
Million euros |
Spain and Portuga |
278.6 | - | >800 | >800 | >1,600 | >1,600 |
|
Grid losses (4) |
% |
Distribution network in Spain |
9.78 | 9.98 | 9.89 | 9.64 | 9.74 | 9.47 |
|
Supply Interruption Time (TIEPI) (5) |
Minuts |
Distribution network in Spain |
47.7 | 48.7 | 47.8 | 41.8 | 47.7 | 40.8 |
Decarbonisation and energy transition
Our business model is advancing towards clean electrification, with investments of €9.6 billion in 2024–2026 oriented towards the development of renewable energy (232 MW additional in 2024 alone), grid resilience, and digitalisation. Renewable electricity generation grew by 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year and represented 86% of total peninsular generation.
Water management
At Endesa, water efficiency and responsible use are priorities. in 2024:
- We withdrew 59.4 litres for industrial use per MWh generated, representing an improvement of more than 25%. We improved recirculation and treatment systems, especially in facilities located in sensitive areas.
- We applied sustainable use criteria in new projects and updated contingency plans for water risks.
Circular economy and waste
Our circular economy model seeks to minimise the use of virgin resources and maximise the useful life of materials.
- In 2024, we recovered 71% of total waste generated.
- We advanced in the use of recycled and reusable materials in new construction and maintenance.
- We reinforced the traceability of material flows and contracts with circular criteria.
Biodiversity and natural capital
During 2024, we executed 45 actions within the biodiversity plan at our facilities, restoring habitats and protecting local species. Furthermore, we are working on the following objectives:
- No net loss of biodiversity for new projects from 2030 onwards, starting implementation in selected projects of high biodiversity significance from 2025 onwards.
- No net biodiversity loss of 40% on additional installed capacity between 2025-2027.
- No net deforestation, with a commitment to protect forests, reforest equivalent areas where
- avoidance of deforestation is not possible.
- No new development projects in areas declared UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites, reflecting Endesa's commitment to conservation.
Management of nuclear activity
We are firmly committed to the safe management of our nuclear activity, as expressed in the Nuclear Policy approved by the Board of Directors in 2011 and published on the website of the companies operating in this activity. This policy establishes the commitment to act in such a way that, in all nuclear activities, whether Endesa is a majority or minority shareholder, the following are the main priorities: The safety and protection of workers, the public and the environment, as well as the promotion of excellence in all activities, going beyond mere compliance with legal requirements.
See more about our management of nuclear activity.
Environmental litigation
The total number of environmental litigation cases for an amount exceeding €10,000 provisioned for 2022 amounted to 43* and there were no fines in 2022 for cases of non-compliance with laws and regulations that occurred during the period in 2022.
Below is a summary of the fines and environmental litigation cases incurred:
In 2024:
- No significant environmental sanctions were imposed.
- The number of active litigation cases as a defendant was 6, with no significant changes compared to previous years (*).
- The downward trend in recorded incidents was maintained.
- We actively responded to investor inquiries regarding ESG, focusing on climate, biodiversity, and the supply chain.
(*) Number of environmental legal actions as a defendant in judicial proceedings, pending at the end of the reporting year, regardless of the year in which they were initiated and their amount.