EDF / 2018 Reference document

3.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIETAL INFORMATION – HUMAN RESOURCES Other areas of the sustainable development policy

EDF actions to support access to energy 3.3.3.5 Today, a little under one billion people in the world don’t have access to electricity, 50% of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. Access to electricity is a vector for progress development, education and security. This has been clearly reaffirmed in the United Nations sustainable development objectives. EDF is continuing its efforts in this area, and has updated its models beyond the actions carried out for several years by its decentralised service subsidiaries. Technological advances, the cost of equipment and local economic models open up new possibilities for action and mass implementation. EDF is developing new business models that combine its traditional know-how with technological and financial innovation. EDF and Off Grid Electric are partners in the distribution of off-grid solar power in Africa. They install and maintain solar kits designed for rural and peri-urban households. The joint venture in Côte d’Ivoire, ZECI, aims to secure a 20% market share by 2020. In early 2018, both companies, associated with Ghanaian manufacturing partner CH Group, launched a new off-grid solar kit offering on the Ghanaian market, led by the dedicated joint venture: ZEGHA. This offer confirms off-grid solutions as a major development area for EDF in Africa (see section 1.4.5.3.9 “Off-Grid energy”). Furthermore, most EDF projects, especially those in Africa and Asia, are designed to improve access to electricity on a local, regional and national scale. At the end of 2018, EDF signed binding and final agreements relating to the construction of hydroelectric facilities in Nachtigal in Cameroon. This 420MW hydroelectric power plant is the cornerstone of the Cameroon strategic plan for the development of the electricity sector, and Nachtigal is a national priority for securing Cameroon’s electricity system. In French Guiana, EDF is committed to the electrification programme in Haut-Maroni, with the construction of hybrid generating plants generally combining a photovoltaic system, storage batteries and diesel engines (see section 1.4.4.3 “Island energy systems”).

With the coal purchasing contracts being taken over by JERA Trading (JERAT) from 2018, following the acquisition in 2017 of the Coal Trading and Freight business from EDF Trading, JERAT joined Bettercoal as a member. EDF, no longer manages purchasing contracts in direct cooperation with mining companies or the market. Thus, EDF did not renew its membership in 2018, preferring JERAT, now its supplier, to become a member, thus increasing Bettercoal’s influence in Asia. EDF’s coal supply is therefore still covered by Bettercoal, and EDF is still an active promoter of Bettercoal. Concerning uranium, most deposits are found in Australia, the United States, Canada, Kazakhstan, South Africa and Russia. EDF obtains supplies over the long term under diversified contracts in terms of origin and suppliers, in the majority of the countries that produce uranium. In order to ensure good working, social and environmental conditions for the extraction and processing of the mineral, in 2011 EDF initiated a system of audits based on a method developed with the WNA (World Nuclear Association) consisting of a standardised framework and recognised by all players in the sector. This guide takes account of issues of human rights and fundamental freedoms: human rights, whistleblowing register, rights of indigenous peoples and freedom of association. The question of safety in the context of mining is given particular emphasis (safety of process, protection from radiation), and the environment is taken into account broadly, notably as regards matters relating to water, biodiversity, waste and the rehabilitation of sites after exploitation. Every year, EDF carries out mine audits through internal means. The audit reports conclude with the main strengths, recommendations and suggestions (to date, no vulnerable areas have been noted). This information is included in the improvement plans drawn up by the mining companies and monitored by EDF. The most common recommendations and suggestions include but are not limited to health and safety, such as the wearing of personal protective equipment, displaying safety instructions, monitoring work-related accidents, radiological controls ("gloves not systematically worn", "goggles not worn when installing ventilation although there is a sign for this purpose", "service provider accidents are monitored but not included in the site's overall indicators" "contamination of small objects like glasses, etc. not verified", and comments relating to CO 2 monitoring and proposals relating to workplace well-being (cleaning the locker rooms, "daylight" lamps in the underground refuge stations, etc.) EDF conducted two mine audits in 2018. The clauses authorising the completion of audits and setting out EDF’s expectations in terms of enforcement of the fundamental rights and main international standards by suppliers and sub-contractors have progressively been added to contracts signed by EDF.

194

EDF I Reference Document 2018

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker