Sustainability management

Top management has defined governance-related sustainability objectives, thanks to which it will be able to guide the Group towards increasing responsibility and sustainability. We have set up governance and operational bodies and have equipped ourselves with tools that allow us to integrate sustainability into our businesses and the relationships with all our stakeholders.

Ethics and Sustainability Committee

This is a collegiate body and internal board committee, which assists the Board of Directors in matters concerning business ethics and environmental, social and governance issues. More specifically, the Committee encourages the integration of sustainability into corporate strategy and culture, supervises the way in which the company dialogues with its stakeholders and its pursuance of sustainability objectives, examines the guidelines, monitors implementation of the Sustainability Plan, checks compliance with the Code of Ethics and promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion within the Group.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Acea’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee is a technical advisory body whose purpose is to steer cultural development and encourage a work environment based on diversity awareness, inclusion, equity and promotion. The Committee identifies the actions required to create an environment where group and individual differences are listened to and valorised also for the achievement of company objectives.

Investor Relations & Sustainability

The aim of the Investor Relations & Sustainability Division, which reports to the Chief Executive Officer, is to increase the integration of sustainability into the company’s strategic business decisions, making them part and parcel of the Group’s equity story vis-à-vis all its stakeholders. It coordinates the Group’s sustainability planning, promotes projects and initiatives that enhance sustainability and is responsible for preparing the Sustainability Report.

Management and control systems

Our internal regulations and management and control systems are the governance tools that ensure our organisation is operating correctly, from the identification of general directives to the turning of strategic plans into concrete actions.

Graphic representation of the operational processes in the sustainability policy of the Acea Group

Our Management Systems and Sustainability Policy rrevised in November 2020, sets out the company’s principles, values and commitments and is an integral part of the Management systems compliant with the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001 standards, which we have adopted to govern aspects such as quality, environment, safety and energy pertaining to our businesses 

The Policy lists the following values as fundamental elements for sustainability.

  • promotion of the quality culture;
  • respect for the environment and preservation of the ecosystems;
  • fight against climate change;
  • development of people and safety in the workplace;
  • efficient management of resources;
  • assessment of risks and economic, social and environmental impacts;
  • engagement in collective well-being and development of an ongoing dialogue with the parties concerned;
  • promotion of creativity and technological and organisational innovation.
Infographics of the sustainability management systems of the Acea Group

Our integrated risk analysis

To facilitate an integrated vision of risks and their proactive management, we have continued our development of the ERM Programme based on the COSO framework “Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) – integrating with Strategy and Performance”, designed both to reveal the type and significance of the main risks, also impacting sustainability issues, that could prevent the achievement of the Group’s strategic and  business objectives and to address response strategies and consequent mitigation actions where necessary.

Participation in external initiatives

Being aware of the new economic, social and environmental challenge,s we take part in external initiatives, whose values are consistent with our governance. These include: Global Compact Network Italia, Sustainability Makers – the professional network (ex CSR manager Network), Integrated Governance Index (IGI) and Carbon Discoscure Project.

Our participation in the United Nations Global Compact

Since 2007 Acea has been a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, the global initiative set up 20 years ago to encourage companies all over the world to develop their business in an ethical and sustainable manner. It promotes the application of ten universal principles aimed at respect for human and workers’ rights, environmental protection and the fight against corruption.

Our participation takes the form of an ongoing commitment to the pursuit of its principles, illustrating our actions and projects via annual Communication on Progress (COP) reports, which are integrated into our Sustainability Report.

Highlights

Discover the latest news and initiatives of the Acea Group