Sustainability Strategy

 

Our sustainability strategy considers the main trends in the electricity sector and global perspectives such as the UN's 2030 Agenda to contribute to one of today's major challenges: the fair and accessible energy transition, anchored in renewable generation sources.

 

A sustainable strategy and an integrated business model allow us to contribute to achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are particularly committed to 4 of the 17 goals that guide our value creation: SDG 7 Clean and affordable energy; SDG 9 Industry, innovation, and infrastructure; SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities; and SDG 13 Climate action.

 

 

 

Sustainability Plan

 

To ensure the implementation of its sustainability strategy, Enel defines a Sustainability Plan with short, medium, and long-term goals and actions that monitor the organization's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, based on respect for nature and human rights. Annually, these objectives are updated through a continuous alignment process with strategic lines, performance achieved, and the various commitments we undertake, especially regarding the SDGs, as well as considering stakeholder needs prioritized through a process of material issue identification and prioritization. In addition, innovation, digitalization, circular economy practices, and sustainable finance projects act cross-functionally to accelerate Group growth.

 

ESG performance and the Group's sustainability strategy are monitored with the support of a governance structure that follows international standards. The Board of Directors quarterly monitors the progress of the Sustainability Plan and, with the support of a Sustainability Committee composed of board members, analyzes and makes recommendations regarding the Group's ESG indicators, which include commitments related to service quality, adaptation to climate change, management and reduction of environmental impacts, and the development of circular economy solutions, as well as goals related to workforce health, safety, and diversity, including contracted companies, in addition to reducing impacts and creating value for communities.

 

The pillars of our sustainability strategy are defined as follows:

 

  • Ambition for zero emissions: At the heart of Enel's sustainable strategy is the ambition to achieve zero emissions by 2040, in line with the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C. Specific targets have been set, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), regarding both direct emissions generated mainly by our power plants and indirect emissions produced upstream and downstream by our suppliers and customers. In Brazil, our companies have achieved 100% renewable energy generation, according to this Enel Group commitment.

 

  • Clean electrification: Through the strategy of increasing renewable energy development, we aim for more individuals and businesses to access clean energy and cease using energy from non-renewable sources. To achieve this, our strategy involves extending, digitalizing, and enhancing network resilience to increase new customer adoption and offer new energy management and consumption solutions. We support our customers on the path to clean electrification and transforming energy habits in daily life. We do this by improving consumption efficiency in response to demand and continuing to support the spread of electric mobility by deploying electric vehicle charging points. This strategy includes strengthening our commitment to reducing average outage frequency (SAIFI) and duration (SAIDI) of electricity supply interruptions, migrating customers to the free energy market, and expanding electricity access in rural and suburban areas where we operate.

 

  • People: The value of the relationships we establish with our stakeholders is central to our commitment. This approach enables us to achieve a fair transition, paying special attention to those most exposed to transitioning to a decarbonized economy. We are committed to building an inclusive work environment daily, capable of enhancing diversity and uniqueness, promoting individual development, also through an increasingly diverse and extensive training offering. In managing our suppliers, we seek to ensure they meet necessary quality standards and commit to adopting best practices in human rights and their environmental impact. This commitment is translated into concrete actions throughout the procurement process: in qualification, in assessing suppliers regarding social and environmental aspects, as well as in requesting certifications during the bidding phase. Responsible engagement with the communities where we operate and promoting economic and social development are pillars of our strategy. In this regard, sustainability projects in the communities where we are present range from expanding infrastructure to education and vocational training programs, promoting access to energy, education on conscious and safe energy consumption, and combating poverty and promoting social inclusion among the most vulnerable population groups.

 

  • Nature: Protecting natural capital and biodiversity, combating climate change, and contributing to sustainable economic development are strategic factors in planning, operating, and developing our activities. We are committed to preserving nature and biodiversity by reducing and mitigating potential negative effects on the planet that may arise from the Group's various activities, for the protection of current and future generations. The environmental strategy is also strengthened through a circular approach, which enhances the reduction of non-renewable resource consumption and maximizes the value of resources used, integrating sustainability from the design phase.

 

  • Growth accelerators: Innovation, circular economy, digitalization, and sustainable finance represent the growth accelerators of Enel's sustainability strategy, encompassing and enhancing all strategic themes cross-functionally. Adopting a circular and sustainable model as an integral part of the energy transition process enables reducing dependence on raw materials, ensuring not only the competitiveness of the business model but also full social and environmental sustainability throughout the entire chain. Similarly, digitalization and cybersecurity are essential for the energy transition, through which the Group commits to disseminating advanced solutions and strengthening its verification actions to prevent potential cyber-attacks. The importance of sustainable finance is increasing to accelerate the achievement of the Agenda 2030 goals, through investments that link the financial strategy to the Company's sustainability objectives and provide the basis for Group growth.

 

  • Human Rights: Our commitment to respecting Human Rights translates into an integrated and cross-functional approach that considers the needs of our stakeholders throughout the value chain. In this way, we promote knowledge and foster constructive dialogue that can effectively address the social impacts of a decarbonized economy. Protecting the health and safety of our own employees and partners is a shared responsibility at all levels, through integrating safety into processes, in relationships with contractors, in accident management and analysis, and in continuous quality control. To ensure transparency, fairness, and integrity in supporting our business model, we rely on a robust governance structure, through continuous Human Rights Due Diligence processes in all company processes and activities we develop.

 

  • Performance: To learn about Enel's key sustainability goals and performance, visit the Sustainability Report section and consult the annually updated files.