EDF (Électricité de France)

Does the core business genuinely avoid or reduce emissions, or build climate resilience? Share of revenue that is actually 'green'. Fossil-dependent models score low.

EDF's 95%-decarbonised generation mix (nuclear 79.6% + renewables 15.2%) and world-leading low carbon intensity of 26.5 gCO₂/kWh in 2025 — 50× lower than the European average in France specifically — represent genuine, large-scale emissions avoidance, though lifecycle nuclear emissions and residual gas/coal exposure temper a perfect score.

Credible, science-based targets (SBTi), a real net-zero plan with progress to date, and CDP disclosure — not just a dated press release.

SBTi validated EDF's trajectory in 2020 on a 'Well Below 2°C' pathway (not the more rigorous 1.5°C near-term standard); Moody's, MSCI (1.3°C ITR), and TPI have separately validated a 1.5°C alignment for EDF Ltd scope, and the Group has quantified Scope 1 milestones through 2035, but the 2020 SBTi approval has not been publicly re-validated under SBTi's updated 1.5°C Corporate Net-Zero Standard, reducing credibility for demanding investors.

Operational footprint, labour and social practices, and governance quality across the company's own operations and supply chain.

EDF scores reasonably on labour practices (20,000 French hires in 2024, gender diversity programs) and grid investment, but carries €54bn+ net debt, ongoing coal operations at Cordemais until 2027, minority stakes in Chinese coal plants being unwound only slowly, significant water withdrawal by nuclear plants, and nuclear waste provisioning uncertainties that add long-term environmental liability.

Quality of disclosure, independent third-party verification, and how much hard data backs the company's claims.

EDF files a full Universal Registration Document (URD) with French regulator AMF, discloses Scope 1/2/3 targets and progress publicly, participates in Moody's and TPI third-party assessments, and issues green bonds with KPI-linked credit; however, carbon intensity figures exclude lifecycle fuel-chain emissions and the SBTi status has not been updated since 2020, limiting full third-party verification of current ambition.

Controversies, litigation, pollution, fossil-fuel lobbying, conflict-zone involvement and governance scandals. Higher means cleaner.

Major integrity drag from Hinkley Point C: originally budgeted at £18bn, now projected at £49bn+ with unit 1 delayed to 2030, triggering a €2.5bn impairment in 2025 results and a political dispute between France and the UK over cost allocation; the Flamanville EPR also experienced massive overruns (€23.7bn vs. original €3.3bn per French Court of Auditors); residual Chinese coal stakes and delayed Cordemais closure further undercut the clean image.