As a leading energy provider, E.ON has sold electricity and gas to residential and business customers for more than 30 years. But that’s no longer our only focus.
Our work helping residents and other businesses to reduce their carbon impact, our partnership with cities to help them achieve their net zero goals, and our work with charities, schools and local authorities, are a testament to our ambition to make a difference.
E.ON may be leading the way in the industry, but we want our Social Value successes to serve as a rallying call for all businesses with the power to make a difference to follow our lead.
Breaking down barriers
Our collaboration with the Purpose Coalition highlights a shared vision of creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future.
The Purpose Coalition is formed of organisations that are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity. Its work brings together the UK’s most innovative leaders, Parliamentarians and businesses to improve, share best practices, and enhance the role that organisations can play for their customers, colleagues and communities.
The Purpose Coalition has developed 15 Purpose Goals that set out the core barriers to that exist in the UK. At E.ON, we are active across all 15 of these goals, but leverage our particular expertise where we can have the most impact – which is helping everyone to live more sustainably.
Chris Norbury, CEO of E.ON UK, said:
In a world that is rapidly transforming, the need for accessible, affordable and sustainable energy solutions and social responsibility has never been more acute.
Chris Norbury, CEO of E.ON UK
Launching E.ON’s Purpose Coalition report, People, Power and Purpose, Chris spoke of our “unwavering commitment to driving positive social change and fostering sustainable communities across Britain.”
And this is nothing new for E.ON. Our commitment to Social Value was not triggered by joining the Purpose Coalition; indeed, our belief in the importance of making a social difference is the very reason for the collaboration.
Helping to improve lives
E.ON’s approach to social impact is guided by our newly announced UK purpose: we are here to make new energy work for its customers by leading the transition to accessible, affordable and sustainable energy.
This is most evident in our dedication to improving the energy efficiency of homes throughout the UK – underpinned by a focus on improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable.
Through key partnerships, E.ON homes in on communities most in need, offering sustainable energy solutions that lower the cost of bills and improve living standards through home improvements.
Leveraging partnerships to make the biggest difference
It’s not possible to do this alone, and we know we don’t have all the skills and knowledge needed.
That’s why we have set up various partnerships with other likeminded organisations to help deliver these changes. This is essential for any organisation looking to drive positive impacts and put Social Value into action.
As part of our Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry City Council, E.ON is delivering educational outreach programmes to schools across the city.
The workshops explore the use of renewable technology and how this can be used to generate energy. The lessons consider how energy is used around the home and the impact that wastage has on the environment, while encouraging the schoolchildren to find potential solutions to these issues and ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Emma Hardy, Assistant Head and Curriculum Lead at Aldermoor Farm Primary School said:
“This was an excellent learning opportunity for our pupils. Learning about sustainability through workshops like these enhances the coverage in our school curriculum of this important subject. We already look at sustainability through our PSHE, Geography and Science lessons as we are aware how vital this is for our children’s future.”
Emma Hardy, Assistant Head and Curriculum Lead at Aldermoor Farm Primary School
Another initiative being carried out in Coventry through the partnership with the council is a work placement programme for care leavers.
E.ON has identified that a work placement is the most beneficial support we can offer a care leaver, as it has the greatest impact on their future career progression. We are also working with Coventry City Council’s strategic lead for looked-after children to focus on skills in the sustainability sector, and relate this back to the transformation journey the city is taking.
To quantify the impact these changes have, we use the Social Value TOM System™ in the partnership, which helps secure buy-in for initiatives, and prioritise them against pre-defined, industry standard metrics.
Driving a healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable Britain
E.ON is deeply committed to fostering a positive social impact through our wide-ranging initiatives, which are guided by the key themes of Social Value and sustainable development.
As a leader in the energy sector, E.ON continues to innovate and collaborate with stakeholders to build a brighter and more equitable future for all. Our efforts cut across multiple areas, including education, health and wellbeing, community development, the energy transition, and diversity and inclusion. In fact, E.ON was ranked 8th most inclusive employer for 2023/24.
By addressing these key themes, we are proud to be contributing significantly to creating inclusive and supportive environments, promoting healthier communities, and driving sustainable development across Britain.
Hear from E.ON and dozens of other Social Value champions at the Social Value Conference 2024.
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