The fight against climate change is one of the primary challenges for our Group, so we have defined specific actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality in the areas in which we operate, while focusing on developing our renewable capacity and gradually closing coal-fired plants.

As of 2021, the ratio between the value created by the Group and the emissions from activities with the highest carbon footprint (i.e., those from power generation and those from gas and power sales to end customers) amounts to 238 €/tCO₂. Specific emissions of CO₂ have fallen to 227 gCO2_eq/kWh, down 45% from 2017 in confirmation of the progress made towards our Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) certified target of 82 gCO2_eq/kWh by 2030.

The slight increase from 2020 (+5%) is due to the greater production of energy at our thermal plants. 

Specific emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) were 0.07 g/kWh_eq ( 92% down from 2017), while specific nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions were 0.35 g/kWh_eq ( 56% down from 2017) and particulate emissions were 0.005 g/kWh_eq ( 98% down from 2017).

The responsible use of water is essential to protecting natural ecosystems and ensuring the wellbeing of all who live in those ecosystems, as well as to the success of our business.  The Group uses water primarily for industrial purposes, and mainly in thermal and nuclear power generation in order to cool thermal cycles or in processes aiming at reducing atmospheric emissions.

In 2021, we had a specific requirement of 0.21 l/kWh, which is stable compared to 2020 (0.20 l/kWh) and is in line with the Group’s reduction target (of -55% vs. 2017).  Total water withdrawals for industrial processes and closed-cycle cooling was roughly 55.6 Mm³ in 2021, an increase of about 8% compared to 2020 due to the increase in thermal power generation. 

Preserving ecosystems and their flora and fauna means respecting life, our planet’s natural heritage, and the places and symbols of our communities. At Enel, we are aware of this value and manage natural resources responsibly when designing, building and operating our production sites, in the management of our transmission and distribution grids, and in the provision of innovative services to our customers. 

In 2021, Enel’s commitment to biodiversity encompassed 183 projects to protect the flora, fauna and natural habitats at our production sites, 60 of which in partnership with universities and other government bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for a total investment of €8.2 million and 9,092 hectares (22,467 acres) of natural habitat reclaimed.

We are the world’s largest renewable energy player in the private sector with 53.4 GW of managed capacity and posted record renewable energy production for the second year in a row at roughly 118 TWh, accounting for 51% of total production¹.

_{1. Includes managed production. Renewable energy production at the consolidated level totaled 109 TWh and thermal production totaled 114 TWh, for an overall total of 223 TWh.}