Our commitment to sustainability at the CSR and Social Innovation Fair

What is the current state of sustainable development in Italy? Which opportunities lie ahead? In an increasingly complex global context, what are the challenges that need to be addressed and how can they be transformed into collective progress? How can institutions, citizens and businesses work together to build a different version of the future?

These were the questions at the heart of the discussions that enlivened the Salone della CSR e dell’Innovazione Sociale / CSR and Social Innovation Fair, one of the most important annual event in Italy dedicated to the world of sustainability, which returned to Bocconi University in Milan from October 9-11. The event fosters the exchange of ideas, information, best practices and strategies, all aimed at generating transversal benefits for the environment, the economy and people.

As our Head of Sustainability Italy Silvia Fellegara points out, “Sustainability is one of our Group’s cornerstones: a concrete commitment to creating a business model that not only allows for the company’s long-term development but is also mindful of the environment, social welfare, and a governance that is fair and forward-thinking.”

On October 10, Silvia Fellegara shared our Group’s commitment during the Speed Meeting on topics such as the energy transition, company volunteering, specialized training and our dissemination and awareness-raising activities on green issues. This canonical meeting dedicated to the protagonists of the fair is aimed at creating networking opportunities and virtuous collaborations. The common goal is to initiate new synergies for “Challenging contradictions”, the theme chosen for this 12th edition of the fair, as well as encouraging creativity and innovation and bringing to life new value paths.

Shared clean energy

Thanks to the new Renewable Energy Communities model, each of us can play a leading role in the energy transition journey toward increasing economic, social and environmental sustainability. Marco Gazzino, Head of Energy Communities business unit, spoke on the Comunità energetiche e policentrismo democratico / Energy Communities and Democratic Polycentrism panel. He shared how we support the development of these green innovation hubs that unite people, small- and medium-sized businesses, local government and territorial agencies in producing, consuming and sharing renewable energy.

The benefits are numerous for everyone when energy becomes an instrument for collaboration, local development and accelerating the energy transition.

“Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are taking on a central role in the energy transition and present an opportunity for local areas, municipalities, small- and medium-sized businesses and end consumers. We operate as an integrated enabler, offering a portfolio of services to RECs with an offering designed specifically to meet different needs in the management and development phases.”

Volunteering, our values

The energy of our volunteers is in service to local areas. Bettina Mirabile, Head of Sustainability Initiatives & Circular Economy, Staff & Service and Grids Italy, participated in the Volontariato aziendale, un trend in crescita / Company Volunteering, a growing trend panel and talked about the experience of our volunteer program alongside third sector entities. She shared the story of how our colleagues are engaged firsthand in contributing in a concrete way to the wellbeing of the communities in which we operate through initiatives that support the most fragile members of society, provide training and outreach, and protect the artistic and environmental heritage, including through circular economy solutions.

“Company volunteering is part of our stakeholder engagement approach. It is a channel for listening and a tool for responding concretely to the needs and vulnerabilities of the communities in which we operate, to make the energy transition as fair and inclusive as possible.”

Cities that are citizen and innovation friendly

Urban sustainability means caring for the environment but, at the same time, it also means attention to efficiency in delivering services, livability, mobility, and citizen- and business-friendly urban development. Sergio Gambacorta, Head of Enel X Global Retail Innovation B2G & Smart City, presented our efficient, technological and integrated solutions at the Digitalizzazione e innovazione per città sempre più smart / Digitalization and Innovation for Increasingly Smart Cities panel. These solutions help us contribute to bringing cities closer to the needs of people and the environment, from smart streetlights to smart buildings and from electric mobility to data-driven analysis of the territories. Through our Open Data 4 Smart & Sustainable Cities program, we have developed three innovative indicators that offer the Italian public administration a free preliminary assessment of three pillars: the circular economy through the Circular City Index, urban planning for proximity through the 15 Minute City Index, and decarbonization through our CO2 City Index estimates.

“Sustainable urban development is one of the most crucial challenges for our cities, enabling them to reduce emissions, improve the efficiency of services, and increase the quality of life for communities. At Enel, we stand with the public administrations, offering support in this key challenge by designing integrated and digital energy services.”

Sustainability means responsibility 

The responsibility of businesses was at the heart of the CS3D: nuovi obblighi per le imprese / CS3D: new obligations for businesses panel, where our Head of Planning, Stakeholders and Human Rights Maria Cristina Papetti presented our contribution in terms of financial sustainability, emphasizing how essential ESG factors are to a company’s performance. In fact, they ensure greater credibility and solidity in the markets, especially in light of the new European Union regulatory framework, which makes it necessary to take strategic action that involves business partners, investors and supply chains.

“The new regulations are an evolution that moves us increasingly toward the creation of integrated processes to contribute to strategic objectives. Stakeholder engagement and materiality analysis allow us to identify relevant issues to be integrated into business strategies, guiding our investment choices.”

Sustainable and shared growth: synergy with stakeholders

How crucial is stakeholder engagement in creating a strategic plan for sustainable and shared growth? Ilena Truglio, Head of Sustainability Planning & Stakeholder Engagement, Enel Grids and Innovability Italy, participated in the Governare le strategie di sostenibilità: il ruolo degli stakeholder / Governing Sustainability Strategies: the role of stakeholders panel discussing this, explaining the values that guide us in establishing an ongoing, transparent and proactive dialogue with our stakeholders.

“Stakeholder engagement is a tool for listening, dialogue and involvement that is decisive in identifying the needs and requirements of one’s own stakeholders in an approach based on respective collaboration and responsibility. It makes it possible to avoid self-referential management and to identify and outline priorities for action and the areas of greatest interest in terms of economic, environmental and social impact.”