We recognize that our success as a company is directly tied to the well-being of the communities where we operate. For this reason we have supported local communities on site for years, through Community Involvement projects, sponsorships and corporate giving as well as by supporting employee volunteering in our communities.

It is our concern therefore, as one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies, to draw on all our expertise in the generation and efficient use of energy for the benefit of the community. So in the communities where we operate, we focus our involvement on the areas of energy supply, global climate protection and education concerning energy and the environment.

Though dialog with our stakeholders and close cooperation with local partners, we work to develop innovative solutions to social challenges. We intend to help vulnerable people access energy, reduce the risks of climate change, and invest in young people's learning about energy and the environment. In addition, we actively support local energy research initiatives.

Our Community Involvement (CI) strategy in the communities where we are present is guided by our CR and corporate strategies. Just like our organizational structure in this area, it too was expanded in 2008. In addition, employees responsible for our societal engagement are now able to follow our newly developed Handbook on Community Involvement. This ensures that the approach we take is consistent across our Group and further enhances professionalism in our decision-making processes.

In 2008 we spent around EUR45.2 million on numerous voluntary community investments groupwide across a range of different subject areas. This is a considerably higher figure than even in 2007, reflecting our increased commitment to society, the continuous growth of our business and greater sophistication in our community investment reporting procedures.