Nuclear Power energy for sustainable development Can the argument be used more effectively? Emma Cornish, World Nuclear Association.

NuclearPower

energy for sustainable

development

NuclearPower

energy for sustainable

development

Can the argument be

used more effectively?

Can the argument be

used more effectively?

Emma Cornish, World Nuclear Association

Workshop presentation:

• What are the differences between SD and CSR?

• How do CSR and SD relate?

• Why and how do companies use SD and CSR reporting?

• What are the key challenges?

Sustainable Developmentfrom information …

• PIME 1999– Climate change

• PIME 2000 to 2003 – Workshops and sessions on sustainable

development

Giving good information about sustainable development and nuclear energy. Using it to influence policy decisions and public opinion.

CSR…to action.

• PIME 2004– Presentation from BNFL about CSR

experience.

Actively pursue sustainable development goals and communicate achievements through a reporting.

Sustainable Development

• “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Source: Our Common Future – the World Commission on Environment and Development

Three Pillars

•Environment

•Social

•Economic

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• “A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.”

Source: CSREurope (www.csreurope.org)

Identifying IssuesWhat are the SD

issues for the nuclear energy

industry?

What are the SD issues for

a nuclear company?

Eg. Energy access, Environmental impacts, safety, economics

Eg. Site discharges,

worker safety, costs

Sustainable Development

Communications

CSR Reporting

3 Pillars – identifying issues

EnvironmentSociety

Economics

Sustainable Development

New build Environmental costs

Skilled jobs Proliferation Emissions Long-term waste

Who are the stakeholders?

Source: SustainAbilty (www.sustainability.com)

CSR reporting (Areva case study - one example)

• 9 business principles identified– Goals

• Actions– Indicator

» Stakeholders

Source: Areva (www.arevagroup.com)

CSR reporting (Areva case study - one example)

Source: Areva (www.arevagroup.com)

Business principle: Dialogue and consultation with stakeholders

Goals: Provide more information to the general public on progress in the nuclear sector

Actions: Implement a structured strategy for management of relations with stakeholders at Group and sites level

Indicator: 26,000, the number of people who visited the Group’s French sites in 2001

Stakeholders: Elected Representatives, Media, Unions, Employees, NGOs

Why do you say that SD is a key objective or business driver for your firm? It’s because of the…

Contribution to reputation and brand management

The firm’s values and principles

New product and service advantage

Staff values and principles

Competitive cost advantage

Regulatory requirements

Pressure from customers

Pressure from special interest groups

Mos

t im

port

ant

Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development (www.wbcsd.org)

Transparency – a CSR requirement

• CSR reporting invites further scrutiny

• CSR does not only report good news

• Critics of CSR see it as a means to hide behind a good image mask.

Reference: Behind the mask – the real face of corporate responsibility, Christian Aid (www.christianaid.org.uk)

Conclusions• CSR is a new issue to all companies, of all

sectors• The nuclear industry is riding with the CSR

agenda – and setting standards• CSR should be integrated throughout business

– it is not only a communications issue• There are no rules • Nuclear industry can benefit from sharing ideas

and experiences• Stakeholder engagement and stakeholder

dialogue is critical

Some WNA member companies already engaged in sustainability reporting:

Thank you!Thank you!

Emma Cornish, World Nuclear Association

Discussion points• What are the risks associated with CSR

reporting?• What are the opportunities associated with CSR

reporting?• Communications professionals are aware of the

issues important to stakeholders –– What are the issues?– Who are the stakeholders?

• CSR reporting may invite additional scrutiny into nuclear companies activities. Can the nuclear industry withstand this scrutiny?

PIME 2004 - BARCELONA