Safeguarding of land and biodiversity

Areas connected to conservation and the promotion of biodiversity have an increasingly important role in the environmental agenda of leading international institutions. These are set out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) and, taking into account the European Green Deal, focus on on the main causes of biodiversity loss, including land use, habitat fragmentation, exploitation of natural resources and pollution. The European Union, which in 2020 published the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (COM (2020) 380 final), aims to define binding targets to restore damaged ecosystems, improve the condition of habitats and protected species, reduce pollution and promote the “greening” of urban environments. Furthermore, Regulation 2020/852 (the “European Taxonomy”) lists the “Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems” among its six key environmental objectives (see Communicating Sustainability: Methodological Note).

Acea Group Companies conduct activities that could potentially have impacts on biodiversity, such as the integrated cycle of waste, operation of power generation plants, management of water sources and treatment plants and the distribution of electricity. On this basis, Acea focuses closely on safeguarding the ecosystems in areas where it operates, as defined in the procedures of the Environmental Management Systems, which pursue continuous improvement with a view to reducing environmental impacts, in the context of assessments for the planning and creation of plants, as well as management of operational areas. The Companies manage processes in compliance with the environmental authorisations issued to each plant.
The environmental provisions contained in the authorisations issued by the competent administrative authority are established on the basis of technical and environmental assessments considering the area surrounding each plant, to safeguard the flora and fauna present and protect the natural environment, in line with sector-specific BATs or BEMPs¹⁵¹ where applicable.

Specifically, the activities involved in the Integrated Water Service are aimed at the maintenance of optimal environmental conditions and sites where water is drawn, near to springs, are managed with attention to the conservation of existing ecosystems and the preservation of the water flow.
Likewise, with treatment activities, the primary goal is that discharges, after appropriate treatment, comply with the limits established by regulations in the sector and are therefore compatible with the natural habitats of the receiving bodies of water. In implementation of this commitment, targets have been established for improved treatment efficiency for certain Water Companies (see the paragraph Strategy and sustainability, The 2020-2024 Sustainability Plan and operational goals). For hydroelectric power stations, Acea Produzione manages withdrawals and inputs of water in compliance with the Concessions issued by the competent authorities and with applicable regulations. Management Projects have been prepared for all reservoirs, with the relative impact studies for those in protected areas, with the goal of maintaining reservoir capacity and protecting the water quality of the reservoir and the receiving body of water, as well as guaranteeing the correct operation of discharge systems and dams (Legislative Decree 152/2006 and Ministerial Decree of 30/06/2004). As regards waste-to-energy plants, Acea Ambiente manages atmospheric emissions in compliance with the operating authorisations issued by the competent authority and in accordance with the Air Quality Plan for the area in which the production activity is located (for more details, see the chapter on Emissions).
The company provides for the protection of the habitats of all species present in order to mitigate the effect of the artificial barrier of the dams, which interferes with the natural migration of fish and the gradual sedimentation of the riverbed, with consequent changes in the native flora of the banks. In addition, protection of the aforementioned basins ensures the living conditions of the “resident” and “migratory” birds, which use these sites for reproduction and feeding even during migration.
Other plants in the energy sector, which generate electricity using fossil fuels and waste-to-energy, are incompatible with protected areas and therefore cannot be located within them.

Acea has identified those of its sites/plants located in areas with a high level of biodiversity or Protected Natural Areas (EUAP) recognised nationally and sites of the Natura 2000 Network (SCIs, SCZs and SPAs)¹⁵² established at European level, through mapping of the infrastructure of the main operating companies (Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5, Gori, Gesesa, AdF, Acea Ambiente, Acea Produzione and Areti)¹⁵³. Analysis conducted in 2020¹⁵⁴on over 23,000 sites/plants, including pylons but excluding underground electricity grids and pipelines, has shown that 2,290 sites, corresponding to approximately 10%, represent potential interference with biodiversity-rich areas. Plants of the Environment Segment, carrying out waste-processing activity, are not located in the aforesaid areas. Considering, instead, only the sites/plants which could have a significant impact on biodiversity, the number drops to 1,145 and the total percentage to 5%.
Significant impacts have been estimated taking into consideration the design, implementation and management phases of plants, and therefore exclude sites/plants with minimal impacts, such as the Water Kiosks of Acea Ato 2, the secondary substations of Areti and the photovoltaic plants included considered as residential plants of Acea Produzione.
The analyses conducted on the overhead electricity distribution network (1,472 km analysed) showed interference with protected areas for approximately 27%, corresponding to 404 km of network. The total number of natural areas intersected by sites/plants/networks with a significant impact total 130 (55 EUAP, 61 SCIs/SCZs and 14 SPAs)¹⁵⁵ for a total area of 223.4 hectares.

Chart no. 48 – Acea sites/plants analysed, with potential impacts on biodiversity and protected areas intersected

NOTE: where SCIs/SCZs and SPAs coincide, they are only considered once under SCIs/SCZs.

In the areas affected, there are many animal and plant species, including some on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (in the categories “vulnerable”, “endangered” and “critically endangered”)156, i.e. at risk of extinction in the short or medium term. These species therefore represent a conservation priority.
A total of 45 IUCN Red List species are potentially affected. Specifically, there are 3 plant species (1 critically endangered and 2 endangered) and 42 animal species, of which 7 are critically endangered, 9 are endangered and 26 are considered vulnerable (see Chart no. 49 for details).

Chart no. 49 – Number of species listed in the IUCN Red List with habitat in the protected areas intersected

Following a further in-depth study, carried out in 2021 with the aim of identifying the “priority” biodiversity-rich areas impacted by the sites/plants/electricity grids of the Group's main companies, i.e., the most fragile habitats and/or those most impacted by external factors, Acea developed an Environmental Fragility Index (EFI)157, a tool designed to assess, for each protected area impacted, the different habitats included and the portion of land occupied, the fragility of the habitat and the type of sites/plants present158. This led to the identification of 12 biodiversity-rich zones considered as priority areas due to their increased vulnerability. In eight of these — Monti Lattari regional natural park, Monti Lattari ridge, Piana di S. Vittorino - Peschiera sources, Valle dell'Aniene natural reserve, Farfa river (medium-high course), River Sarno basin regional natural park, Mount Mai and Mount Monna, Litorale romano natural reserve — sites/plants have potential impacts , while four may be affected by interference from electricity distribution networks (Pineto urban regional park, Castel Porziano -coaststripe, Castel Porziano - Presidential estate, Insugherata natural reserve).

Awareness of potential interference enables optimisation of operations and the Companies have planned and/or implemented various actions to safeguard biodiversity, some in “priority” areas with a high level of biodiversity, as summarised in the info box.

The initiatives launched by the Companies also involved other others, again of particular natural interest, although not classified as “priority” areas.
In order to limit the potential impacts of overhead infrastructure for the distribution of HV and MV electricity on birds, Areti employs risk mitigation initiatives in collaboration with the relevant authorities, making use of the best technological solutions for problems that are likely to occur in sensitive areas or areas of particular naturalistic value. Specifically, in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding for restructuring the electricity grid, works continue to decommission and demolish overhead power lines within important protected areas, including Veio natural park, Marcigliana natural reserve and, south of Rome, Decima Malafede natural reserve, (as well as in the priority area of Litorale romano natural reserve). For details of the works performed in 2022, see the section Energy distribution in the chapter Energy Segment. The electricity distribution company and the Park Authority of Veio natural park signed a pledge of commitment under which the Company guarantees financial and operational support to launch a plan for monitoring birdlife by installing bird-deterrent devices on earth cables of overhead lines, composed of plastic spirals that make the cables more visible, significantly reducing the risk of bird collision. Furthermore, in 2022, Areti supported the Ornis Italica project to protect barn owls (see the box on “Nesting of Barn Owls on Areti Sites”), while Acea Ato 2 continued its work conducted in previous years to monitor the presence of peregrine falcons (included on the Red List under the “Least Concern” category) at the SCI-SCZ site of Villa Borghese and Villa Pamphili, in a specific area around the Acqua Vergine Springs. As always, a community of scholars, ornithologists and enthusiasts had the opportunity to follow the lives of the birds of prey that live among the Acqua Vergine springs, thanks to a webcam managed by Ornis Italica, an association of researchers promoting the Birdcam.it project, which broadcasts images of a nest situated on Acea infrastructure (www.birdcam.it). The project was a great success in 2022, with the birth and development of peregrine falcon chicks.
Acea Ato 2 carried out monitoring to assess the hydrological system of the River Mignone, with the aim of promoting the sustainable management of water withdrawals and water resources and preserving the balance of natural ecosystems. This project was conducted in collaboration with the Park Authority of the Canale Monterano natural reserve in which the plant is located.
In 2022, AdF signed two river contracts for the Pecora and Pesa river basins, with the aim of developing proposals, formulated jointly by the various stakeholders, on regional and environmental development topics which will help to reduce impacts on the ecosystems of the two water basins.
In 2020, as a tool to monitor ecosystem quality in areas where its plants are located, Acea Ambiente developed the “UrBees” project, in collaboration with bee-keeping experts and the Sacro Cuore Catholic University, aimed at environmental monitoring by observing the behaviour of bees, as bioindicator insects, at the San Vittore del Lazio (FR) waste-to-energy plant. Biomonitoring is a tool for environmental control that allows the effects of pollution to be identified, observing living organisms and their biological parameters through the study of ecological changes due to the effects of one or more polluting substances present in the biosphere. Honeybees, in particular, are one of the best “sentinel species”. They support plant biodiversity and enable determination of qualitative and quantitative data regarding the health or lack thereof of a specific ecosystem, along with mapping of an area’s biodiversity. The observations made have highlighted the overall good health of the bees and the absence of instances of unexpected illnesses or depopulation. In 2022, the countless flights made by the bees produced 90 kg of honey from three different blends of botanical species: Honey 40 flowers, Honey 35 flowers and Honey 36 flowers. The analysis of the samples of honey produced revealed a total of 83 different species of plant, pointing towards high floral biodiversity.

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, SPRINGS AND PROTECTED AREAS

Through the companies Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5, Gori and Gesesa, the Group mainly uses springs located in uncontaminated areas for water supply.

The supply system of the area managed by Acea Ato 2 is composed of seven aqueduct systems that transport water from 14 main sources to the distribution networks and from numerous smaller local sources (mainly wells), for a total flow that exceeds 21,000 litres/second. The drinking water aqueduct and distribution network extends for more than 15,700 km¹⁵⁹.
In addition to this priceless natural resource, following upgrading works on the Grottarossa drinking water plant, Lake Bracciano, and the river Tiber also represent water reserves, after appropriate treatment, to be used only in the event of water emergencies.

In the Municipalities that fall within OTA 5 Lazio Meridionale - Frosinone, Acea Ato 5 manages 80 sources, 75 of which are active, with 41 wells/well fields and 34 springs. In addition to these sources, the Company purchases/sells water through exchange points with other operators and with a Municipality in a neighbouring area. From the sources, the water is transported to the Municipalities through a supply network, which follows a complex distribution network beginning with tanks and dividing elements before reaching all users served, and totalling 6,181 km.
Gesesa, which operates in District 1 Calore Irpino in the Campania Region, for the supply of drinking water, manages approximately 2,093 km of network, springs, primarily seasonal, and collects the majority of the water utilizing groundwater wells. There are three large collection systems: the Benevento plain, constituted of the well of Pezzapiana, a well located at the aquifers of Monte Taburno and a well located near to the Grassano spring.
AdF, which operates in Optimal Territorial Conference no. 6 “Ombrone” (ex OTA 6), manages the drinking water system through a network that stretches approximately 8,360 km. Almost 50% of the water is drawn from the Fiora springs located on the slopes of Monte Amiata, while in the Siena area, the most significant systems are the Luco well field and the Vivo aqueduct, which takes water from the three springs of Amiata Ermicciolo, Ente and Burlana, located in the Vivo d’Orcia area.
The water system managed by Gori in the Sarnese Vesuviano territorial district has three main subsystems: Vesuviano, Monti Lattari and Ausino. The Vesuviano System is the most extensive of the three and arises from the functional integration of the Sarno aqueduct and the Vesuviano aqueduct, in turn interconnected with external elements of the Campano aqueduct, the West Campania aqueduct and the Serino aqueduct. This is responsible for supplying the majority of the OTA 3 municipalities. The Monti Lattari System serves the territory of the Sorrento Peninsula, the Island of Capri and the Stabiese plain. Finally, the Ausino System, represents the supply framework for the municipalities of the OTA that occupy the eastern edge of the territory. The water drawn from endogenic sources represents approximately one third of the total, while the remainder originates from systems outside the OTA.

All of the Companies guarantee operation and correct maintenance of collection infrastructure, primary and secondary water plants, supply systems and distribution networks and user meters. Extraordinary maintenance is also performed (renovation, upgrading and/or expansion of plants and networks).
In 2022 Acea Ato 2 continued to develop the programme of works under the “Safeguarding and modernisation of the Peschiera water system” project (Annex 4, Art. 44, Decree Law 77/21, converted with amendments into Law 108/21). As of 2021, these works have been conducted under the authority of the Extraordinary Commissioner. In particular, the Technical Economic Feasibility Studies, produced according to the Guidelines established by Art. 48 of Decree Law 77/21, were completed and, in December 2022, authorisation and tender procedures were launched for four sub-projects to develop hydraulic works, partly financed by the NRRP (see the section Quality in the water area in the Customers and Community chapter).
The location and surface area of the fully protected areas¹⁶⁰ are shown in Table no. 50. Please note that the sources illustrated are all drawn in “areas under water stress” as defined at international level¹⁶¹ by the World Resources Institute. The water drawn is freshwater¹⁶², apart from 1.3% of the amount drawn by AdF, corresponding to approximately 0.8 million cubic metres, from marine sources. The amounts drawn by the Companies from the springs listed are indicated in the Environmental Accounts.
To protect areas where springs are located, Acea Ato 2 also employs satellite monitoring. Surveillance is concentrated in the places showing – on the basis of the comparison between two images taken from space at a distance of several months – an unjustified or suspect morphological variation, such as new, unsurveyed constructions, earth movements, small landfills. The Company performs checks on site to identify any threats to water resources, ensuring precise monitoring. In fact, in 2022, thanks to the use of a satellite to perform change detection and additional inspections carried out along the supply and collection network, 63 violations were identified.

Table no. 50 – The principal sources under protection

(*) The surface area data is estimated.

150 The Constitutional law also regulates the methods and types of protections for wildlife and specifies that private economic activity may not occur in a way that harms human health and the environment.
151 BATs(BestAvailableTechniques)refer to the best technical, management and control solutions able to guarantee a high level of environmental protection, while BEMPs refer to Best Environmental Management Practices.
152 The Protected Natural Areas (EUAP) at national level are those areas recognised ocially by the State pursuant to Framework Law 394/91. The Natura 2000 Network, established pursuant to “Habitat” Directive 92/43/EEC, is the main policy instrument of the European Union for the conservation of biodiversity. It is composed of Sites of Community Interest (SCIs) which are then designated as Special Conservation Zones (SCZs) and also includes the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) established by “Birds” Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds. The areas composing the Natura 2000 network are not reserves where human activities are excluded: the Directives intend to guarantee the protection of nature whilst also taking “account of economic, social and cultural requirements and regional and local characteristics”.
153 Areas were mapped using QGIS, an open-source GIS application that enables viewing, organisation, analysis and presentation of spatial data, processing each layer of the sites/ plants belonging to the Companies.
154 The analyses are based on infrastructure data of the main Group companies as at 2020. As of 2022, no significant changes had occurred.
155 Where SCIs/SCZs and SPAs coincide, the areas are counted once amongst SCIs/SCZs.
156 There are 11 risk categories, from Extinct (EX), applied to species for which there is definitive evidence that the last individual example has died, and Extinct in the Wild (EW), assigned to species for which there are no longer natural populations but only individuals in captivity, through to the category Least Concern (LC), applied for species that are not at risk of extinction in the short or medium term. Between the categories of Extinct and Least Concern, there are the threatened categories, which identify species at progressive risk of extinction in the short or medium term: Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) and Critically Endangered (CR).
57 The EFI is defined based on data provided by the Carta della Natura, a national IT system created by ISPRA(Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research),which is a cartographic and evaluation tool used to identify the distribution of Italian ecosystems across the country and analyse them based on their current state, considering physical, biotic and human factors.
158 For preparation of the EFI, the initial step was calculation of the relationship between the area of each habitat and that of the protected area containing it, generating a value for the portion of the protected site occupied by each habitat. This value was then multiplied by the fragility of the habitat as defined by ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research). Following this, all of the environmental fragility values of the habitats present in each protected area were added together. Having defined the EFI for each protected area intersected, this information was then cross-referenced with the individual Group plants with significant impacts located in the protected areas (plants identified as sites with potential impacts, from “low-medium to “high”). Finally, to identify the “priority” areas with high levels of biodiversity, the IFA was multiplied by the area intersected by the plants. The higher the value for the index, the higher the “priority” of the area.
159 The value is higher than that added in chart no. 54, which features a geo-referenced value.
160 The areas of absolute protection are the areas immediately surrounding the catchments or o-springs, as defined in Legislative Decree no. 152/2006.
161 https://www.wri.org/aqueduct.
162 Water with total dissolved solids à 1,000 mg/l.
163 Compared to the previous version of the document, the data on fully protected areas have been restated following the progressive conclusion of ongoing studies to outline the protected areas.