The scope of the reports (economic, environmental and social indicators) corresponds 100% to ERDF’s role and responsibilities.

The reporting period is based on a calendar year.

The indicators have been selected to represent ERDF’s progress in sustainable development over 2010. Chosen from among indicators and objectives in the ERDF pilot programme, they are based on the sustainable development reporting directives in version 3.0 of the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative).

The collection and calculation of social and environmental indicators is outlined in a descriptive and methodological information sheet. These definitions match those that the EDF group adopted to facilitate reporting at group level. These documents are available from the ERDF sustainable development department.

Data concerning stakeholder communications is provided by the Marketing and Customer Relations division, and are subject to rigorous internal verification procedures.

Environmental data is provided by the Sustainable Development division. Data concerning waste is obtained using the OGIDE digital database, with data entry performed by regional operations divisions. ERDF is ISO 14001 certified.

Labour data is provided by the Human Resources division. Each division performs the procedures and controls necessary for ensuring reliable data.

Auditors verify environmental and social data under a sustainable development data reporting verification process put in place by the EDF group. The opinion provided by the auditors on the EDF group's reporting process is attached to this report.

The chosen indicators were decided upon by the industrial activities having a significant environmental impact.

The production of greenhouse gas, such as CO2 emitted from transportation and building heating was not included in 2010 because it was not evaluated sufficiently.

The indicated consumption of electricity corresponds not only to Joule and electromagnetic loss on the network but also to “non-technical” losses. It is calculated using the difference between the electricity introduced into the network and the electricity measured and supplied to various customers.

Conventional waste include dangerous and non-dangerous industrial waste, related to either normal or exceptional activities (waste from construction sites, facility demolition, transformer oil containing PCB, etc.). They also include a portion of waste from tertiary activities (fluorescent lamps, paper, etc.). Concrete facilities were not counted in 2010 among the data controlled by the auditors. However, an evaluation is provided.

End-of-period staff refers to the number of legally registered employees contractually linked with ERDF with a work contract and listed in the information system on the date of the last day of the month (31 December 2010 for annual statistics). Employees with fixed-term or permanent contracts are included, whether they work on a full- or part-time basis. All members of management teams are included. Part-time employees are counted as one full employee in the physical staff listing.

In terms of special contracts (such as apprenticeships, assisted contracts, professional contracts, company physicians, etc.) only those with an ERDF work contract on 31 December 2010 are included. Service provider employees, consultants, external staff, temporary staff, staff transferred from other companies and contracted trainees are not included.

The laws of 9 August 2004 and 7 December 2006 created a “shared department” between the companies ERDF and GrDF. Staff belonging to this shared department have two employers and their employee responsibilities are reassigned according to their activity. This means one part electricity and one part gas in terms of these employees.

The ERDF workforce number published in the report corresponds to the electricity section of these employees. The various ratios (managers, women, etc.) are established according to the statutory and non-statutory IEG staff, excluding special contracts.