Climate change
We have always been committed to promoting clean and accessible energy by developing economical, reliable and sustainable systems. We invest in more efficient and environmentally friendly production methods, supported by research and the innovation of the best available technologies.
Our levers for the climate
Since 2006, we have reduced our direct CO₂ emissions by over 75%, from nearly 25 Mt CO₂eq to around 6 Mt CO₂eq in 2024, thanks to improved efficiency in our thermoelectric fleet and the gradual replacement of less efficient plants with advanced combined-cycle technologies. To strengthen our commitment, we have defined a decarbonization pathway that targets a 95% reduction in direct emissions by 2050 and a 25% reduction in Scope 3 indirect emissions by 2040, compared to baseline levels.
Our strategy to reduce direct emissions
The main levers included in our decarbonization plan involve the development of renewable energy generation, with a 2030 target of producing 40% of our electricity from renewable sources and increasing installed capacity to 5 GW. We also plan to simultaneously develop flexibility systems, including hydroelectric pumping and electrochemical storage. Furthermore, we aim to progressively decarbonize our gas-fired generation plants (e.g., cogeneration, trigeneration, etc.) located at customer sites, through the use of green gases such as biogas and hydrogen.
By 2030, we estimate a reduction in direct emissions to 5.3 Mton, also due to the partial replacement of cogeneration systems at customer sites with biomethane and/or other decarbonized energy carriers. To implement the decarbonization measures described above, we plan to allocate 75% of our investments between 2023 and 2030 — amounting to approximately €7.5 billion — to activities that contribute to mitigation objectives and are aligned with the EU Taxonomy. In the medium to long term, we foresee a market context in which the contribution of thermoelectric generation — particularly from older gas-fired plants — will decline in favor of renewable energy production. In addition to further investments in renewable generation (targeting 11 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2040) and flexibility systems (2.5 GW), we also plan to further reduce the emissions profile of our generation fleet through the development of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant by 2035, associated with a next-generation thermoelectric plant, depending on the maturity of the technology. Starting in 2035, decarbonized energy production for industrial customers will also be supported by new nuclear power using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, with two plants expected to be operational by 2040. This will enable us to achieve our ambition of 90% decarbonized electricity by 2040 and total direct emissions of just 0.3 Mton by 2050.
By 2030, we estimate a reduction in direct emissions to 5.3 Mton, also due to the partial replacement of cogeneration systems at customer sites with biomethane and/or other decarbonized energy carriers. To implement the decarbonization measures described above, we plan to allocate 75% of our investments between 2023 and 2030 — amounting to approximately €7.5 billion — to activities that contribute to mitigation objectives and are aligned with the EU Taxonomy. In the medium to long term, we foresee a market context in which the contribution of thermoelectric generation — particularly from older gas-fired plants — will decline in favor of renewable energy production. In addition to further investments in renewable generation (targeting 11 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2040) and flexibility systems (2.5 GW), we also plan to further reduce the emissions profile of our generation fleet through the development of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant by 2035, associated with a next-generation thermoelectric plant, depending on the maturity of the technology. Starting in 2035, decarbonized energy production for industrial customers will also be supported by new nuclear power using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, with two plants expected to be operational by 2040. This will enable us to achieve our ambition of 90% decarbonized electricity by 2040 and total direct emissions of just 0.3 Mton by 2050.
2030 objectives
Electricity generation from renewable sources
Installed renewable capacity
Scope 1 direct emissions
Investments in the green transition
With regard to the levers described above, we specify that the progressive reduction of Scope 1 emissions is achieved through the increase in electricity generation from renewable sources within our portfolio and technological improvements to our asset base, thanks to the development of high-efficiency CCGT (Combined Cycle Gas Turbine) plants. These measures are expected to contribute approximately 25% by 2030 and 45% by 2050, compared to 2017 emission levels. The introduction of innovative decarbonization technologies after 2030, such as CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) and hydrogen, is estimated to have an impact of around 40% by 2050, relative to the 2017 baseline. The decarbonization of cogeneration and heat production activities at industrial customer sites, along with energy efficiency initiatives, is expected to contribute 5% by 2030 and 10% by 2050. Residual emissions to be offset through high-integrity carbon removals (carbon credits) would entail a cost by 2050 that is currently difficult to estimate and are, in any case, expected to be marginal. The long-term investments required to implement the above-mentioned decarbonization measures are compatible with our technical capabilities and financial resources.
Given the nature of our activities, Scope 2 indirect emissions—related to the purchase of energy from third parties—are considered negligible in the context of our future decarbonization efforts.
By 2030, we estimate Scope 3 emissions—specifically in the relevant categories 3.3 (Fuel- and energy-related activities) and 3.11 (Use of sold products)—to increase compared to the 2019 baseline (20.5 Mton vs. 18.8 Mton), with a rise from 2024 levels due to the expected expansion of our residential customer base and the maintenance of our approximately 20% market share in national gas demand, primarily linked to volumes supplied to industrial customers.
Subsequently, we anticipate a decline in gas sales aligned with the decarbonization of energy consumption (through electrification and the use of biogas and hydrogen), while maintaining our strategic goal of a 20% market share in the Italian market. This will lead to a reduction in absolute emissions (categories 3.3 and 3.11) to 14.1 Mton by 2040, representing a 25% decrease compared to the baseline year.
We are strongly committed to providing solutions that support the progressive electrification of both residential and industrial customers, as well as solutions for the adoption (including self-production) of biomethane and hydrogen by industrial clients.
By 2030, we estimate Scope 3 emissions—specifically in the relevant categories 3.3 (Fuel- and energy-related activities) and 3.11 (Use of sold products)—to increase compared to the 2019 baseline (20.5 Mton vs. 18.8 Mton), with a rise from 2024 levels due to the expected expansion of our residential customer base and the maintenance of our approximately 20% market share in national gas demand, primarily linked to volumes supplied to industrial customers.
Subsequently, we anticipate a decline in gas sales aligned with the decarbonization of energy consumption (through electrification and the use of biogas and hydrogen), while maintaining our strategic goal of a 20% market share in the Italian market. This will lead to a reduction in absolute emissions (categories 3.3 and 3.11) to 14.1 Mton by 2040, representing a 25% decrease compared to the baseline year.
We are strongly committed to providing solutions that support the progressive electrification of both residential and industrial customers, as well as solutions for the adoption (including self-production) of biomethane and hydrogen by industrial clients.