EDF_REGISTRATION_DOCUMENT_2017

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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIETAL INFORMATION − HUMAN RESOURCES Optimising the use of natural resources and preserving the environment

EDF Energy continues to implement off-site eel conservation measures in ■ response to the 2009 Eel regulation. In 2017, the connection of a 150 acre nursery area for eels to the sea (Fruitton Lake in Norfolk); Edison is undertaking two projects in this field: the “Mosselmonitor” Project on ■ the Rospo offshore oil platform in the Adriatic Sea, where mussels are being used as bio-indicators of water quality and pollution prevention; and the “Biovega” programme, consisting of analysing biodiversity around the Vega oil platform; in distribution activities: on the mainland, 45% of the HVA and LV grids have ■ been buried underground by Enedis in areas operated by it. However, 98% of the new HVA lines are underground and 100% of the LV lines use underground or discrete technology. EDF Énergies Nouvelles stopped the construction of its Arada/Montemurro wind farm site in Portugal between March and September so as not to disturb the breeding period of wolves. In the UK, restoration and improvement of habitats in peatland areas on the Corriemoillie wind farm site. Offsetting measures (indicator G4 3.4.5.4 EU 13) The Group applies the principles of mitigation hierarchy (1) , for which the French variation is the “prevent, reduce and offset” approach, further reinforced in France by the Biodiversity Law of 2016 (2) . This law notably requires the transfer of raw biodiversity data from impact studies to the Natural Heritage Inventory (IPN) from 1 January 2018. Within the scope of its relations with the French Natural History Museum, EDF has already anticipated this obligation. The impacts on biodiversity are taken into account across the whole life of the projects and, in particular, during their design phase. Avoiding these impacts during construction is a priority, and those that cannot be avoided or reduced are mitigated. EDF attaches particular importance to the quality of the analyses conducted to characterise the initial state of a site and monitor compensation actions. Furthermore, in the Belledonne en Isère mountain range, the Company is conducting a long term experiment with the Initiative Biodiversité Combe-Madame not-for-profit organisation and the key community players. It is aimed at restoring sub-alpine environments and enabling the return of remarkable species of fauna and flora. This experiment is part of the action initiated by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (MEDDE) to test the relevance and feasibility of the offsetting proposals. The project took off in 2015; in 2016, the assessment of the initial condition of the site was completed and preliminary work for reopening the environments started; in 2017, actions were also carried out with the Fédération des Alpages de l’Isère, LPO Isère, ONCFS and IRSTEA to reconcile economic and tourism uses with the biodiversity of the site. Moreover, EDF has launched a thesis with Irstea and the Natural History Museum concerning the preparation of a method to verify the achievement of ecological equivalence; this involves measuring the gains resulting from the offsetting measures. The thesis was sustained in 2017. EDF Energy set itself the goal of having a positive net impact before 2030. In Italy, on the Serra Carpaneto wind farm, EDF Énergies Nouvelles is carrying out a reforestation programme (2,700 native plants) to compensate for the 174 trees damaged during construction. Protection and restoration (indicator 3.4.5.5 G4 EN 13 – Disclosure 304-3) Today, the Company manages natural sites in partnership with local associations. It does so either pro-actively or through applying offsetting measures. EDF, on numerous sites, puts in place a series of protection measures, with a part of the land owned being allocated to areas dedicated to the protection or reconstitution of biodiversity, through management plans, i.e., multi-year monitoring and action plans in favour of biodiversity and linked to the objectives adapted to the site’s challenges.

The Group also helps with the deployment of public policies, both national and local, in favour of biodiversity; a number of examples can be mentioned: Restoration and renovation: Aquatic life: ■ In France, on the emblematic site of Poutès, work began in June 2017 ■ according to a new timetable agreed to with all stakeholders. Staggered until 2018, they will allow a reconfiguration of the reservoir: concretely, the most mobile sediments will be mechanically replaced on the banks in order to prevent them from going downstream during the emptying that is necessary for the construction site. At the same time, temporary operating measures were implemented as of March 2017 (lowering the reservoir to reduce its length) in order to improve the downstream migration of smolts (young salmon), with very encouraging initial results (significant decrease in the passage time in the reservoir). Terrestrial life: ■ In France, creating the “Small Rhine”, a re-natured area as part of the ■ Kembs environmental project; it is an old agricultural corn monoculture plot (100 ha), which has been renatured into a mosaic of open and wet environments, with some afforestation, and the passage of the “Small Rhine”, the course of which has been redesigned to a more natural one that plays a key role in the continuity of fish movements in line with the fish crossing structures installed at the plant. In 2017, the monitoring of nature and management actions, in particular for the limitation of invasive alien species, continue to form part of a management plan that will be managed by the Nature Reserve of Petite Camargue. This operation is already showing success through the return of nesting species such as red-backed shrike, tufted duck, and others; In France, as part of the Romanche Gavet project, the temporary ■ rights-of-way for the construction of the dam over 10 hectares have been renovated by ecological engineering techniques using local plants, with support from partners such as CBNA and IRSTEA. This ecological restoration experiment is set to be rolled out to similar operations; In France, within the framework of the partnership with FCBN, a ■ differentiated space management approach is undertaken on the thermal sites aiming to plant native plant species in order to suppress the use of phyotsanitary products and reduce practices while respecting the safety and operating constraints of the sites. Depending on their purpose, the spaces are thus developed by supporting the emergence of a certified native seeds activity. The Bouchain and Dirinon sites are already partners in the approach (see Local vegetation and harvest plants programme – FCBN); In the UK, EDF Energy continues creating habitats on its Sizewell B site on a ■ large scale (including the conversion of agricultural land into semi-natural habitats) as a mitigation strategy for the potential impact of Sizewell C. ith regard to invasive alien species: Invasive alien species are systematically detected in the ecological diagnostics ■ and pre-diagnostics of the land. This makes it possible for EDF to have a global vision of the issue and also to integrate this issue into the projects, and carry out management actions with partners at the local level (local authorities, river contracts, etc.); On all of the nuclear and thermal sites, an inventory of invasive exotic species ■ has been conducted, with a set of related management recommendations being issued; EDF Energy has undertaken to identify the invasive exotic species on all its ■ nuclear sites, to inspect and implement eradication measures whenever possible; EDF works with other national and regional players. Thus, EDF is involved in the ■ FUI PARIS project, which aims to develop a new process for treating soils containing invasive alien species (the consortium contract was signed in January 2016). In 2017, the first tests started with a prototype on a construction site to fight Japanese Knotweed. The innovative treatment process is compared to a more usual method by sheeting.

Principles of PS6 of the IFC: Performance standard 6 of the reference framework of the International Corporation (international financial company, a World Bank structure) (1) dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of living natural resources. Act no. 2016-1087 of 8 August 2016 for the restoration of biodiversity, nature and landscapes. (2)

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EDF I Reference Document 2017