It is a duty and a commitment for Enel to find the most transparent and proactive forms of discussion and consultation to ensure that the growth of the Group will be agreed on with the communities concerned and that the negative impacts are tackled and minimized with a common point of view. For this reason, during each phase of the authorization processes that precede all projects there is open discussion with the national and local institutions, the public, and all the stakeholders concerned.
Supporting the development of a thoroughgoing activity of information and communication on a particularly crucial subject like infrastructure investment is also the idea behind Enel’s participation – as a contributing member and a member of the board – in the 2010 activities of “Pimby”, an Italian association that promotes discussion between the civil service and the citizenry to facilitate infrastructure development in local areas.
The authorization process for the construction and renovation of plants and infrastructure provides for the carrying out of Environmental Impact Studies, as well as studies for the issue of the Environmental Integrated Authorization, in accordance with the requirements and provisions of the law. Enel and Endesa systematically carry out such environmental and social impact studies and – to prevent, monitor, and mitigate social and environmental impacts of the works in operation – institute precise procedures and processes certified, whenever possible, by ISO 9001 (quality), OHSAS 18001 (health and safety), and ISO 14001 (environment).
After the authorization process is over Enel makes agreements with the local authorities and communities for carrying out technical actions to improve the pre-existing environment. In cases where the environmental damage cannot be quantified in monetary terms, compensations may take the form of carrying out environmental projects aimed at planting or restoration of natural elements as environmental benefits equivalent to the impacts induced.
When the plants are in operation the significant impact data are constantly monitored by emissions monitoring systems and air-quality monitoring networks, with procedures for collecting data that are agreed on with the local governments.
In a few cases, the construction of new generating plants may entail the relocation of residents to other areas. This has serious consequences for the people concerned, because it entails radical changes in terms of employment, social relations, in general of the family and social context. For this reason, in Enel’s approach, the management of relocation cannot but involve the people affected and a careful assessment of the psychological and social problems foreseeable at both the individual and group level.
Last update: 19/07/2011
