Engagement
Through relations with external and internal stakeholders, the ERG Group seeks to make a concrete contribution to the development of solutions to mitigate climate change by raising awareness and creating shared and sustainable values.
The principles of legality, honesty, fairness, equality, confidentiality, equity, integrity, transparency and responsibility represented in the Code of Ethics guide relationships with institutions, local communities, authorities, suppliers, shareholders, the Group’s people and the next generation. Stakeholder expectations are taken into account in the corporate strategy, confirming ERG’s commitment in the ESG area.
To correctly manage the various requests, ERG has adopted a Policy for dialogue with stakeholders and has set up a dedicated whistleblowing channel for any reports.The Group uses different methods and tools to engage its stakeholders, defining on each occasion the most suitable tools for the relationship and the type of dialogue to be engaged in, in compliance with the applicable regulations, in relation to the dissemination of corporate information. To give these activities full transparency and visibility, accurate information is processed in relation to the meetings and dialogue established with stakeholders, as well as the results and impacts of these initiatives.
Our Stakeholders: expectations, methods of engagement, Policy and Program
ERG has identified its internal and external stakeholders and adopted a dedicated policy for stakeholder engagement. The Policy was formally endorsed by the Board of Directors on 23 February 2024, demonstrating the existence of a dedicated role at board level. Further details on the stakeholder engagement approach are available in the Integrated Annual Report 2024, pages 152–158
Stakeholder | Engagement methods |
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Institutions |
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Shareholders and the Financial Community |
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Social partners |
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Future generations |
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Local communities |
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People and trade union organizations Workers with employee contracts, non-employee workers, trade unions |
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Suppliers |
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Customers |
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Media |
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As a part of its commitment to sustainable development and responsible business conduct, ERG has established a structured and transparent stakeholder engagement framework that specifically includes:
Identification of Affected Communities and Range of Local Stakeholders |
ERG identifies its stakeholders explicitly in its Stakeholder Dialogue Policy, which includes local communities, institutions, and future generations. In its Human Rights Policy, ERG acknowledges the role of local communities and promotes proactive and trust-based dialogue. |
Identification of Vulnerable Stakeholders |
ERG identifies vulnerable communities as groups at higher risk of rights violations (e.g., migrants, minorities, refugees). The company commits to identifying and protecting these groups within the risk assessment and due diligence framework applied to projects and supply chains. |
Inclusion of Local Stakeholders in Engagement Strategy |
ERG has a structured method to engage local stakeholders through public events, institutional meetong and local partership. The CRPAO has the responsibility for engaging local authorities and communities. |
Public Grievance Mechanism for Communities |
ERG provides a public whistleblowing platform accessible via web and mobile, available to all stakeholders including communities. Reports can be submitted anonymously and are managed in line with the Group’s Whistleblowing Guidelines. |
Building on this structured engagement framework, ERG has also implemented a set of concrete programs and procedures to ensure its effective application across all local operations. These initiatives aim to strengthen relationships with local stakeholders, anticipate potential issues, and foster mutual trust throughout the project lifecycle. These include:
- Conducting local stakeholders or community impact assessment and meeting with local stakeholders to identify emerging concern: ERG performs comprehensive impact assessments, particularly during the initial phases of each project, to identify potential risks and concerns affecting local stakeholders. These assessments continue throughout the entire lifecycle of the projects, ensuring that emerging issues are addressed proactively. In line with international best practices, ERG complements these efforts with formal and structured engagement activities, including proactive meetings with stakeholders to identify concerns early and adapt project strategies accordingly.
- Clear communications channel for local stakeholders: To promote accessibility and transparency, ERG provides local stakeholders with multiple channels to communicate with the company. These include dedicated email boxes, whistleblowing channels, and other easily accessible contact points for submitting inquiries or concerns.
- Capacity building for local stakeholders to ensure they can communicate with the company: ERG is committed to ensuring that all stakeholders are equipped to participate effectively in dialogue. This includes offering training opportunities, informational resources, and tailored support to help overcome barriers to communication—whether technological, linguistic, or knowledge-based. These initiatives ensure inclusive engagement and foster constructive relationships over time.
- Tracking grievances: A formal, transparent grievance mechanism is in place to register, monitor, and resolve stakeholder concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. While the system remains active and accessible, no grievances were recorded in the year 2024, reflecting a positive engagement climate and ongoing responsiveness to stakeholder needs.