EDF Energy has announced the appointment of Global Action Plan and the MS Society as its two new national charity partners.

EDF Energy will be working with Global Action Plan and the MS Society for an initial 12 months, commencing March 2009. The decision to choose two concurrent new national charity partners is a first for EDF Energy.

This new deal also builds on the successful existing charity partnership the MS Society already had with British Energy, which became part of EDF Energy earlier this year.

Both charities were chosen for their ability to inspire customers and employees towards a more sustainable and socially responsible lifestyle. The partnerships will support the delivery of EDF Energy's Climate and Social Commitments, the biggest package of environmental and social initiatives announced by any UK energy company.


The charities will benefit financially as EDF Energy will match the amount raised by employees by up to £100,000 for each charity partner. Through its partnership with the MS Society, EDF Energy will provide funding and energy advice to help people and their families to handle the impact of living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The energy company will also support Global Action Plan's various community-based programmes such as 'Evergreen', which brings volunteers to housing associations and supported living schemes for older people to work on environmental projects so they can improve the quality of life for their residents.

Eva Eisenschimmel, Chief Officer, People, Organisation and Brand Performance at EDF Energy, said: "As one of the UK's largest energy companies, we are keen to support charities which inspire people towards a more sustainable lifestyle. We chose Global Action Plan and the MS Society as they demonstrate values very closely aligned to our own.

"We hope our partnerships with these charities will create increased awareness of both the social and environmental aspects of sustainability and we are very excited about the new opportunities these partnerships present. We are pleased to be building on the success of British Energy's existing relationship with the MS Society."

Global Action Plan is a national environmental charity that helps people to make positive changes to reduce their environmental impact.

(CD/JM)