- The release of the company's Human Rights Management Report, part of the 2024–2026 Action Plan, is the result of the human rights due diligence process approved by Endesa’s board of directors.
- With this document, the company responds to increasing stakeholder demands for transparency in human rights management.
- The report underscores Endesa’s public commitment to Human Rights, an area in which it is a pioneer. The company has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2002 and approved its first Human Rights Policy in 2013, which was updated in 2021.
Endesa's first Human Rights Management Report covers its operations in both Spain and Portugal. The company is thus publishing the report three years ahead of the timeline set out by the European Commission’s so-called ‘Omnibus package’ on this topic. The document reflects the strength of the company’s commitment, its effective integration into daily operations, and the oversight and improvement mechanisms it has established.
The report also outlines the measures implemented to integrate human rights in key areas such as employees, customers, the value chain, communities, society, governance, privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity. In addition, it details the governance structure for human rights at Endesa, which – under the supervision of the board of directors through the Sustainability and Corporate Governance Committee – involves all company departments.
The report also includes the lessons learned by Endesa over the years, especially since the approval of its Human Rights Policy in 2013. These best practices focus on adapting governance structures to the evolving regulatory landscape, as well as a sustained effort to train and raise awareness among management, employees, and contractors.
The implementation of these actions has enabled progress in areas that were already integrated into company practices, such as gender equity and employee and contractor health and safety, as well as in emerging issues, with a growing emphasis on incorporating human rights considerations into Endesa’s value chain. The report also highlights the need to strengthen whistleblowing mechanisms and whistleblower protection, along with the ongoing need to improve stakeholder consultation. This demonstrates the company’s firm commitment to transparency and accountability.
The Due Diligence Process
Endesa considers respect for human rights a strategic priority. A cornerstone of this commitment is the establishment of a due diligence system. This methodology involves a thorough analysis of all business activities and their stakeholders, including the value chain. The findings from this analysis are then used to design action plans with concrete measures.
Endesa has already carried out three due diligence processes, in 2017, 2020, and 2023. These efforts stem from the approval of its first Human Rights policy in 2013. This policy is based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which call on corporations to make a public commitment to Human Rights and to establish the necessary mechanisms to minimise risks and mitigate impacts arising from their operations.
The 2023 due diligence process began with a contextual analysis of the geographic and industry landscape in Spain and Portugal, which covered a range of topics including integrity, environmental and community impacts, diversity, health and safety, privacy, working conditions, and freedom of association. No significant high-risk areas were identified. This was followed by a technical analysis of the potential impacts of Endesa’s business activities that evaluated 100% of the company’s policies and procedures. The process included interviews with Senior Management as well as surveys and interviews with stakeholders, NGOs, academic experts, employees, and suppliers.
As a result, a set of opportunities for improvement was identified to further reinforce the company’s commitment to Human Rights. These have been grouped into 16 specific measures within the 2024–2026 Action Plan, with a particular focus on actions related to employees, suppliers, strengthening the whistleblowing channel, and aligning with the principles of the EU directive on due diligence and sustainability.
Guarantees and track record
To ensure maximum reliability, and in line with international best practices, the report was developed with the involvement of a renowned external expert (BHR), with over 20 years of experience in the field and a strong international background. Additionally, the report was verified by an independent body (Forvis-Mazars) against the UN Guiding Principles Reporting Framework standard.
Endesa has an early track record of integrating human rights into its business activities. As early as 2002, the company joined the United Nations Global Compact, the UN initiative leading global sustainability efforts, and in 2013, its Board of Directors approved its Human Rights Policy, which was updated in 2021. Endesa conducts regular due diligence processes (in 2017, 2020, and 2023) and ensures a high level of compliance with the action plans derived from the first two process, while the latest is currently in progress.