Environmental monitoring and restoration in the development of the gas pipeline
network

Snam believes that safeguarding nature in its areas of operation is of particular importance. For this reason, during the realisation phase of its construction activities, it implements appropriate project decisions to avoid and minimise impacts on biodiversity. Once the infrastructures are complete, the Company puts in place environmental restoration and monitoring projects in agreement and in collaboration with the responsible government bodies. In addition, if necessary, Snam adopts practices to offset its impacts.

The objective of vegetation restoration, with particular regard to reforestation, is not merely to reconstitute forest areas but to reconstitute the landscape in general and to revive the biological functionality of vegetated areas, especially in their role as habitats for fauna with specific biodiversity characteristics. Restoration and reforestation is followed by the implementation of “horticultural initiatives”, i.e. the care and maintenance, for a period of at least five years, of seedlings that have been planted.

The monitoring projects involve the sections of several pipelines that interfere, even only marginally, with natural areas high in fauna and ecological value. These programmes are aimed at verifying the renaturation process of the areas disturbed by the installation process, based on the comparison between the conditions after the restoration (“post-construction”) and the original conditions (“pre-construction”). Monitoring is normally performed for the most significant habitats identified in the design phase. The km of pipelines subject to replanting depends on the km of lines laid during the year and the environments they have passed through.

Prevention of accidents and protection of health

The Snam Group has a long-term commitment to developing and promoting the protection of health and safety at its workplaces, as part of an ongoing process to improve its HSE performance in accordance with its Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Policy.

Accident prevention is carried out through the implementation of targeted initiatives aimed at eliminating or reducing risk factors inherent in employees’ work. These initiatives are listed in the table below.

The protection of workers’ health is based on ongoing monitoring of risk elements in corporate processes and on the implementation of adequate prevention and protection measures. Work environment inspections are periodically carried out by the Duty Doctor and the Prevention and Protection department, in order to evaluate working and environmental conditions and to identify possible measures for prevention or improvement.

Snam employees are not susceptible to a high risk of contracting occupational illnesses, and those exposed to specific risk factors undergo periodic health surveillance and are covered by specific health protocols, in addition to any supplementary specialist visits. Employees whose work requires them to travel to non-European countries receive specific preventive care.

As part of its efforts to promote the health of its employees, Snam carries out various welfare initiatives, including, for example, a flu vaccination campaign, an early detection plan for cancer prevention, and agreements with specialised institutes.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, these initiatives were extended to include the distribution to all employees of pulse oximeters, capable of remotely reporting abnormal oxygen saturation values, and personal protective equipment. Staff were also granted free laboratory serological tests and benefited from the subscription of an insurance policy, fully funded by Snam, to ensure employees are covered in the event of hospitalisation caused by a Covid-19 infection. Moreover, employees were also given the opportunity to work from home in the appropriate manner through reinforced remote working programmes, thus guaranteeing social distancing. In addition, travels were suspended and safety measures were put in place for control rooms, facilities and local offices where the presence of staff was necessary to ensure continuity of the service.