We welcome the opportunity to comment on EDF Energy’s ‘Climate Commitments’. As a stakeholder panel we provide independent opinion and insight to EDF Energy on social and environmental policy matters.

We have considered whether this document addresses the most important climate change challenges and whether EDF Energy’s response to those challenges is appropriate.

There can be no greater challenge for an energy company than the need to tackle climate change. We believe that this document covers the company’s most significant greenhouse gas sources and does not shy away from the reality that, today, the company has one of the largest carbon footprints in the UK.

In response to this challenge EDF Energy has set itself targets and objectives that universally go beyond what is being demanded of it through current legislation, or any that has been mooted. These objectives are both short and long term with immediate actions as well as signposting future intentions. The commitments address the company’s principal emissions sources and, if met, are proportional to the challenges. Specifically, the commitment to reduce emissions from generation by 60% by 2020 is in line with UK Government’s target but will be delivered a whole 30 years sooner.

It is also clear that EDF Energy’s customers have a vital role to play in delivering emissions reductions and the company has pledged to ensure that all of its new products are designed to help its customers reduce their climate change impact. It is a proper focus on energy efficiency.

The company has been clear that it considers new nuclear generation plants to be a key element of its future energy sourcing mix, subject to UK Government policy and public acceptability, and are fundamental to efforts to reduce carbon emissions. We will continue to support the ongoing efforts which EDF Energy is making to ensure that all the environmental matters of concern to the public are clearly considered.

In the future, the panel would also encourage a second series of commitments on Social Responsibility, demonstrating how EDF Energy is intending to address these key issues for society, and build on its existing Social Tariff position.

In summary the panel considers this to be an important call to arms. It sets out the importance of climate change, the significant scale of the challenge for EDF Energy and how the company will respond. As such it goes beyond what any other company in its sector has so far committed to do. Now that it has raised the bar, our job is to hold it to account for delivery of its commitments and to meet the challenge it has set itself.

Will Hutton
Chief Executive, The Work Foundation
Chair EDF Energy Stakeholder Advisory Panel