In 2020, Enel launched a working group involving all areas of the Company to develop and update the raw materials strategy, with particular reference to so-called critical raw materials,(1) identify priority areas on which to act and implement solutions to manage the associated impacts and risks. In particular, the Working Group focuses on specific focuses, starting with the identification of raw material requirements for the Group’s various activities, the identification of environmental and social impacts along the entire value chain, with particular reference to respect for human rights, the assessment of geopolitical risks (with potential disruptions to supply chains) and economic risks.
The goal is the identification of priority areas of intervention in order to evaluate new solutions to mitigate risks and impacts related to materials and related technologies that use them, as well as the definition of specific targets for each raw materials supply chain and related action plan, leveraging the innovation ecosystem (co-innovation with suppliers, start-ups, etc.), prioritization ranking of raw materials and ad hoc plans for the most relevant ones, geopolitical, commodities, environmental and social risk reduction strategies on new technologies and business models. All these focus areas are carried out by comparing and examining the best practices of each industrial sector, monitoring and analyzing the market trends associated with raw materials for key technological sectors (wind, solar, batteries, networks, etc.) and by collaborating regularly with all relevant stakeholders.