Orano - Annual Activity Report 2024 134 4 SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT Societal and environmental challenges at the heart of the strategy 4.1.5.4 Information on non-material topics The result of the materiality analysis shows non-material topics that are not addressed in this sustainability statement. This is the result of the group’s choice of materiality threshold and a prioritization of issues. However, all of these topics remain covered by the group beyond the regulatory minimums. Energy [E1] The “Energy” topic does not emerge as material from the double materiality analysis, particularly from a financial point of view due to its low share in operating costs. In a context of pressure on prices, energy performance remains an important subject for the group, addressed in the Commitment roadmap. It also contributes to the reduction of the group’s scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. It is therefore addressed in this sustainability report through the prism of climate change mitigation. Pollution of air, water, and soil during operation [E2] The materiality analysis concluded that the sub-topic of “air, water and soil pollution from operations (excluding accidental spills) was not material, due to the limited impact, localized and controlled by strict discharge authorizations. Orano devotes considerable resources to reducing and monitoring chemical and radioactive releases. At the same time, it ensures that the environment is continuously monitored. Orano performs over 100,000 measurements and analyses annually on samples taken at some 1,000 locations to monitor the environment around its sites. The results of these analyses are in-depth environmental assessments of the impacts of discharges into the air, water, and waste. They can be consulted on the Orano website in the site’s annual information reports drafted in accordance with Article L. 125-15 of the French Environmental Code for Regulated Nuclear Facilities (INB) (Orano la Hague, Orano Melox, Orano Tricastin and Orano Malvési), as well as in the Orano Mining CSR report for mining sites. Orano’s liquid and gaseous discharges are monitored throughout the year, in order to ensure applicable values are respected and enable rapid corrective action if necessary. In addition, in order to verify the absence of a real impact due to the facility, deferred monitoring (based on sampling) is carried out in the various ecosystems and throughout the radionuclide transfer chains up to humans. Other emissions (with local effect: NOx, SOx, etc.) than greenhouse gas emissions are subject to specific controls and are monitored at industrial site level. They are reported in the specific publications of the entities, available on the Orano website in the reference publications. Orano, on the other hand, considered the potential impact on the environment and people of an accidental spill (under ESRS E2) or a chemical or radiological accident (under ESRS S3). Substances of concern and very high concern [E2] The topic of “Substances of concern and of very high concern” does not emerge as material from the double materiality analysis. Like many manufacturers, Orano uses hazardous chemicals in accordance with European Regulation No. 1272/2008 known as CLP for the classification, labeling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures. However, it is important to note that Orano does not use any substance or mixture subject to the authorization process of REACH Regulation No. 1907/2006 for certain substances classified as SVHC (substances of very high concern listed in Annex XIV of the regulation). The group uses a limited number of substances of concern for its core business processes, according to the rules in force and with all the necessary authorizations. The use of these substances is subject to a risk assessment and appropriate risk management measures are implemented to limit the impacts on employees and the environment, in accordance with the principle of proportionality. As part of the implementation of the REACH regulation, an internal procedure sets the guidelines to help prioritize substitution studies. As soon as a substance is included in the list defined by Article 59.1 of the REACH Regulation (i.e. this substance is an SVHC substance), a substitution study is carried out as a priority. In addition, this procedure specifies the rules for the choice of a substance for new processes. Thus, substances listed in Annex XIV of the REACH Regulation are prohibited. Substances listed according to Article 59.1 of the REACH Regulation, but more broadly, substances with CMR, or PBT, or vPvB or PE characteristics are to be avoided. Substances used solely in the context of scientific experimentation, analysis or chemical research carried out under controlled conditions, and involving quantities of less than 1 metric ton per year, are exempt from these internal obligations. Water and marine resources [E3] Orano does not use seawater or marine resources in its industrial operations for the extraction, chemistry or recycling of uranium materials. The group operates a desalination plant in Namibia. It sells its production to the Namibian water distributor Namwater, which supplies existing mines and meets the needs of local communities. This produced around 15 million m3 of freshwater in 2024. Part of the water produced supplies local industries in the Erongo region in the Swakopmund area. The plant therefore has a positive effect on the preservation of the groundwater freshwater resources in this arid region. This societal and environmental effect is recognized by the European green taxonomy framework (see Section 4.2.1.7) but its impact was not sufficient to qualify the subtopic as material.
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