Enel has been reconfirmed as a Global Compact LEAD company, a recognition the Group has held since 2011, recognition acknowledging companies with the highest engagement towards the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiatives, as well as those which are profoundly committed in implementing the Global Compact’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their business activities.
The 2020 announcement of the Global Compact LEAD companies took place leading up to the #UnitingBusiness LIVE event, held between September 21st and 23rd, 2020.
The virtual event, which is taking place during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, brings together business leaders, Governments, and civil society leaders to underscore their commitment to the UN’s objectives. This year’s UN General Assembly will focus on the need for renewed global cooperation and the economic recovery from Covid-19.
“Our active participation within the UN Global Compact was recognized once again with our inclusion, for the 10th year in a row, among the Global Compact LEAD companies. Enel continues, in line with the commitment the Group made five years ago at the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, to tirelessly work in pursuit of the SDGs, while adhering to the UN Global Compact’s 10 principles,” said Francesco Starace, Enel CEO and General Manager. “The 2020 edition marks the 5th year since the UN’s adoption of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and the 17 SDGs, and this year kicks off the “Decade of Action” towards the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. The Sustainable Development Goals are specifically embedded within Enel’s strategy as key drivers of business growth, and guide our decision-making process towards action against climate change, as well as ensuring the supply of affordable, clean energy.”
The Enel Group is an active participant in four of the seven UN Global Compact’s Action Platforms. The Platforms bring together representatives from business, Global Compact Local Networks, academia, civil society, Government and the United Nations, to collect knowledge and experiences in order to find solutions to global complex and interconnected issues. Namely, Enel is participating in: the CFO Taskforce for the SDGs where it is patron and the Group’s CFO is co-chair; Business Ambition for Climate and Health; Reporting on the SDGs; Peace Justice and Strong Institutions-SDG16, for which Enel’s CEO signed the ‘Statement from Business Leaders for Renewed Global Cooperation’, launched today during the Private Sector Forum.
As the only Italian company to participate in the three-day program, Enel’s CEO Mr. Francesco Starace will speak today, within the framework of the Global Impact Forum, in the Accelerating Global Climate Action for a 1.5°C Future to Recover Better Together event, as well as tomorrow on Catalysing Finance and Investment for the Achievement of SDG7 session, during the SDG Business Forum. Enel’s CFO, Mr. Alberto De Paoli, participated on September 21st as a speaker at the Global Launch of the CFO Principles on Integrated SDG Investments and Finance, within the framework of the Private Sector Forum.
Enel also celebrates the fifth anniversary from the Group’s first public commitment to the SDGs at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in 2015. Over 90% of the Enel Group’s overall 28.7 billion euro investment in the 2020-2022 period directly address four SDGs: SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), all contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action), placing the fight against climate change at the center of the Group’s strategy. Enel is also committed to promoting Social and economic development (SDG 8), while supporting Quality education(SDG 4).
Enel also contributes to all the other SDGs by promoting a sustainable business model, pursuing sustainable behaviors and leveraging on SDG 17 to foster global partnerships to tackle the multiple challenges that the world is facing.