Social aspects

Relevance and related risks

The relevant theme related to the social sphere, in relation to Snam’s activities, is as follows:

• Stakeholder engagement and dialogue with the territory.

In relation to this topic, the most significant risk islinked both to the presence of the existing plants in the territories hosting them, and to the possible opposition with respect to the creation of new infrastructures by the communities.

With reference to the presence of the plants in the impacted communities, the main risk is the same reported in the section concerning the environmental and health and safety aspects in chapter Operating risks of this declaration, i.e. the operational risk of breakage or damage to pipelines and plants, also as a result of extraordinary events such as fires, landslides, extreme weather phenomena due to climate change.

With reference to the construction of new infrastructures, there is an operational risk reported under the heading “Delay in the progress of infrastructures” in the paragraph “Risk management and control system” and described in full in the chapter “Risk and uncertainty factors” under the heading “Delay in infrastructure progress”.

Policies, commitments and management model

Snam, in line with the guidelines of its Stakeholder Engagement Policy, maintains regular and frequent relations with local government bodies and with local stakeholder associations to share new plants for new achievements.

Through the Sustainable Development Policy and the Policy for the management of philanthropic activities and social initiatives, Snam also pledges to promote initiatives in the areas in which the Company operates to promote local development.

The initiatives on the territory integrate the comparison with the institutions and other stakeholders that takes place in the context of authorisation procedures and environmental impact assessment and, for some plants, also socio-economic. Relations with the territory are reported in detail in chapter Stakeholders and relationship capital of the Report on Integrated Management.

These activities are also supported by the work of the recently established Snam Foundation. The Foundation is committed to pursuing innovative practices of “corporate citizenship” to promote civil, cultural and economic development in priority areas of public interest, by acting on the redevelopment of the most vulnerable areas, including through the protection and care of the landscape heritage and environment, as well as the support and development of cultural activities in all their forms.

Further information on the Snam Foundation can be found on the Company’s website at http://www.snam.it/en/Sustainability/responsibility_towards_everyone/foundation.html.

Performance Indicators

Below are the representative indicators of the results of the management of the social aspects. As highlighted in the chapter on environmental , and health and safety aspects, in the qualification and selection of suppliers are considered environmental requirements and related to safety at work.