EDF Energy - Reducing emissions

EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies. It provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks in London, the South East and the East of England. It supplies gas and electricity to over 5 million customers and generates about 5GW of energy from its coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. EDF Energy employs nearly 13,000 people at locations across the UK. It is a core part of EDF Group, one of the world’s largest power companies.

EDF Energy has measured its own carbon footprint but is undertaking a project to more accurately assess its exact extent. This will provide the basis for further action and for assessing its progress.

This sort of measurement is a vital first step. The next is to use the results to identify improvements. EDF Energy has made the following commitments which act as a focus for its carbon footprint reduction efforts:

• to reduce CO2 emissions associated with its own use of energy by 30% by 2012
• to reduce CO2 emissions associated with its own use of transport by 20% by 2012

EDF Energy will achieve these targets through infrastructure, procedural and cultural changes. Firstly, it will be investing heavily in energy efficiency measures and micro-generation technologies at its top 16 buildings (which account for 80% of energy use).  Secondly, it is steadily upgrading its vehicle fleet and is investing in vehicle trackers in order to improve efficiency of use. And, finally, it is working to change the culture of its workforce so that all employees understand how they can make a personal contribution. This is being lead through its One Planet Ambassadors programme.

EDF Energy’s One Planet Ambassadors are given time away from their normal duties to act as internal champions to help the company become a more sustainable business.

The company has also launched products to help its customers minimise their climate change impact. Indeed, EDF Energy is pledging that from now on, every new product launched will be designed to encourage or enable customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

This has already started with the award winning product called ‘Read.Reduce.Reward’ which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption year on year, and for reading their own meter so that EDF Energy doesn’t have to send someone to do it.