Sustainability 2013 Social, environmental and financial report

The content of this report was defined based on the analysis of issues reported in previous years as well as the updating of issues of EPM’s relations with stakeholders, which is based on the adaptation of the Stakeholder Engagement Manual from Accountability, UNEP and Stakeholders Research Associates, in line with the principles of the AA1000 standard regarding inclusivity, completeness, relevance and responsiveness. gri">GRI G4-18

The materiality exercise includes the voice of the stakeholders in different moments of consultation and dialogue, and those in EPM.

Identification of the topics

In order to create the list of important issues for the stakeholders and the organization, in this period the direct participation of Customers, the Community, Suppliers and Contractors, EPM People and Colleagues, as well as several special groups, (external assurance providers, environmental authorities and academy) was followed over 8 roundtable discussions, carried out in 2013, and through qualitative and quantitative research to inquire about what Customers’ and the Community’s expectations and needs are.

The list of topics to be addressed was supplemented by the main feedback coming from: a study conducted on vulnerable clients, a 2013 reputation study, a 2013 customer satisfaction study, the evaluation of the implementation of the stakeholders engagement model, an external study on the quality of life in Medellin (“Medellin Cómo Vamos” program) and the feedback from the socio-political context. This input was combined with the knowledge and experiences of EPM staff engagement.

The issues to be addressed and the current topics were contrasted with sustainability context elements, explicit in the nine thematic areas in which the Sustainable Development Goals will be defined in the post-2015 development agenda (“centro regional” publication), in the human development reports PNUD 2010-2013, in the WBCSD sub-projects, in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, in the content of sustainability reports of outstanding organizations in the sector and in the GRI G4 guidelines.

The list of resulting issues and involved actors was submitted for subsequent processes of refining, revision, discussion and analysis, and for a pre-selection based on potential economic, environmental and social impacts for EPM and the society, for the discretion of internal and external stakeholders with knowledge and a comprehensive vision of EPM. This is the way the list of issues to prioritize was obtained.

For the analysis of issues and topics, qualitative techniques were used, supported by numerical expressions that facilitate understanding, contrasting and visualization of certain qualities or tendencies, not forgetting that reality surpasses the limitations of the instruments trying to model it.

Prioritization of topics

Prioritization was made with internal and knowledgeable stakeholders, through the assessment of prioritization criteria for material topics; the instrument favors cross-referencing criteria, but the convenience of this assumption will be evaluated.

Prioritization criteria for material topics

Prioritization criteria for material topics

In order to refine the prioritization result, an empirical contrast of the outcome was conducted, using the feedback from high level individuals within the organization, with a wide vision of EPM and the public utilities sector.

Importance of the relevant topics

This is the product of applying the relevance criteria that were adjusted by experts of the company. (GRI G4-19)

Validation

The materiality exercise and its outcome was presented to the Management Committee, the supporting committee for the Board of Directors. The meaningful outcome of the exercise, along with the event of business transformation and its implications in the adjustment of functions, positions and the organizational structure for the Business Group, determined the scope of transition for the 2013 report which joins together the former report with the above-mentioned exercise of materiality.

The Vice-Presidency Strategy and Growth of EPM is responsible for ensuring that all material aspects are reflected in the content of the Sustainability Report.

EPM’s 2013 sustainability report includes, as additional information, sustainability issues presented in former reports, which are not classified as material topics in the prioritization exercise carried out in 2013.

The reporting of these issues is kept due to its unquestionable relevance, as it refers to essential processes or because it responds to diverse commitments related to initiatives in which EPM has participated willingly, for which public disclosure of information is needed and the sustainability report is the suitable medium. gri">(GRI G4-23)

The material topics have direct influence on the strategic and business management.

Internal coverage, that is, the context on which the impact within the organization is produced is expressed in the level of influence of material topics on each element of strategic and business management; it is represented with the color intensity of the block that contains the material topics. The external coverage is expressed by joining topics and stakeholders together. gri">(GRI G4-20) gri">(GRI G4-21)

Reformulation and data correction regarding former reports (GRI G4-22)

The following are the adjustments made to the data reported in prior years. These data were the product of calculation methodology improvements or adjustments in the information systems:

Benefit program: The total of loans disbursed in 2012 was adjusted because this number of loans was corrected due to other concepts. The right amount is 4,452.

Taxes, fees and contributions: the amount informed in the gas transportation tax and the rates for natural resources use and pollution, among others, have changed in comparison to the former report, since the values informed corresponded to the paid value and not the caused one.

Therefore, the correction was the following:

• Gas transportation tax in 2012 totaled COP $3.18 billion, affecting the tax subtotal nationally, which ended up totaling COP $570,811 million;
• The value of utilization and natural resources contamination rates and others in 2012 was COP $5,975 million, affecting the subtotal at a municipal level and others, ending at COP $104,157 million.

These corrections affect the tax, fees and contributions total in 2012, which in the end amounted to COP $674,967 million.

Investment, cost and environmental expenditure: the values for 2012 have changed due to adjustment to the calculation methodology, particularly in the classification criteria of some activities and accounts.

Social responsibility: focused on the construction of competitive and sustainable territories: the calculations of some stocks considered among the beneficiaries and financial resources allocated for voluntary initiatives by stakeholders were adjusted.

Furthermore, stakeholders also include the following: Customers and Users, the Community, EPM People and Providers and Contractors