EDF in Réunion becomes the first French company to have its approach in favor of biodiversity recognized nationally according to the NFX32 standard-001 : 2021 “biodiversity approach for organizations”, latest version of the AFAQ Biodiversity issued by AFNOR, the French certification body.
EDF in Reunion does not only act on the energy transition front. It also does so with regard to the preservation of biodiversity.. The AFAQ Biodiversity* certification that the company has just obtained shows the importance taken by this concern in its activity. Olivier Meyrueis, regional director of EDF, and Emmanuel Aubourg, head of the production department and pilot of Biodiversity certification, explain its origin : “There is no shortage of reasons that justify the demands we impose on biodiversity. Starting with the fact that a lot of our equipment is in the middle of nature. The Takamaka power station is the only industrial activity inside the national park. We needed to structure this approach in our operation. We were looking for a label that would allow us to progress in this area.. Having learned that AFNOR was preparing a standard dedicated to biodiversity, we anticipated it by aiming for a first Biodiversity label from the SGS, the world leader in certification. When the NF standard came out, we were ready. AFNOR certification confirmed our SGS Biodiversity label. »
A Biodiversity correspondent in each department
Annual self-monitoring, renewal audit every three years. With this double certification, EDF in Reunion sets the bar high. “It’s a commitment for the future. The protection of biodiversity integrates our activity, and this in an effort of continuous improvement. Certification allows us to frame things, from corporate governance to operational actions on the ground,” explains Olivier Meyrueis, which cites two examples : “Pruning near our lines now respects endemic species. Material containers intended for the Takamaka power plant are systematically disinfected upon arrival at the port. » For daily implementation, a Biodiversity correspondent, acting in conjunction with Emmanuel Aubourg, is appointed in each department. “Protecting biodiversity requires very detailed knowledge. we will look for them from associative partners, institutional or private. We rely on their experts to know what we should do or, on the contrary, not do,” he says..
Thanks to the associations
These partners, exactly, EDF in Reunion brought them together last month to thank them for the help provided. SEOR is a historic partner of EDF for the protection of Papangue and the rescue of petrels victims of light pollution, more recently in the analysis of the movements of four protected species : Barau petrel, Bourbon black petrel, Tropical Shearwater and Pacific Shearwater. Twenty beacons are installed on the Bras de la Plaine-Le Gol very high voltage line to keep nocturnal species away. EDF contacted hydro-biologists from the OCEA design office association to limit the impact that the Langevin hydroelectric power station may have on aquatic life.. The company helps finance Globice’s awareness campaigns on the cetaceans of Reunion Island. EDF supports the National Botanical Conservatory of Mascarin. With the association for the Valorization of the Entre-Deux Mondes, she contributed to the creation of a micro-forest (600 plants of 32 different species) in Saint-Pierre in place of invasive exotic species. Finally the Bien association & Toi carried out a floristic census of EDF tertiary sites : 126 species including 25 endemics to be preserved.
*Scope of EDF certification in Reunion : all on-site activities with the exception of Post Operation.
