In Eskom’s view, being a good corporate citizen means that its business must be run ethically, taking into account its impact on all stakeholders.

This includes contributing to a safe working environment, environmental responsibility, promoting government’s new growth path and corporate social responsibility and improving the life of all South Africans.

The chief executive – as chief safety officer – is accountable for overall sustainability and safety performance.

Exco guides the strategy and sets performance targets for sustainability, occupational health and safety and environmental matters, in line with Eskom’s safety health, environment and quality policy, the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998), as amended, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (85 of 1993), as amended. Strategies are reviewed by the sustainability committee of the board.

An Exco subcommittee assesses occupational health, safety and environmental performance and reviews major incidents to ensure that corrective action is taken.

• Eskom’s systemic effects on the economy – economic growth is impossible without reliable and cost-effective energy. Increasingly, the competitiveness of nations rests largely on the availability of a sustainable energy mix. This is particularly significant, if not critical, for the South African economy because the structure of the economy, its resources base and its beneficiation manufacturing are highly energy intensive and energy dependent
• Eskom’s contribution to job creation and training through its build programme and the Academy of Learning
• Eskom’s role as a model state-owned enterprise.

Eskom’s CSI contributes to the development of the disadvantaged and promotes, inter alia, skills development, job creation, education and health. Many CSI initiatives are executed by the Eskom Development Foundation.