What Matters Most
Duke Energy’s approach to sustainability focuses on the issues that are most material to our stakeholders and to us. We identify emerging issues from a variety of sources such as direct stakeholder feedback, thought-leader perspectives, social and traditional media coverage, and shareholder resolutions in our sector.
This table represents our current view of our most material issues and their life-cycle phases. It was updated in early 2013 based on stakeholder feedback and in light of our merger with Progress Energy. We also took into account first-of-its-kind research on the material issues for our industry, conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute in 2012.
In response to stakeholder feedback, the issues are now sorted into the five focus areas of our Sustainability Plan. Mouse-over definitions are also provided for each issue below. These issues — and their interrelationships — will continue to evolve as the environment in which we operate changes.
| Issues important to stakeholders and Duke Energy | |||
| Issue life cycle | |||
| Emerging | Developing | Mature | |
| Innovative Products and Services | |||
| Affordable energy |  |
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| Energy efficiency | |
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| Plug-in electric vehicles | |
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| Power grid modernization/cybersecurity New | |
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| Reliable energy | |
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| Renewable energy | |
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| Environmental Footprint | |||
| Air quality | |
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| Climate change | |
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| Coal combustion residuals | |
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| Generation fleet modernization New | |
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| Mountaintop-removal coal mining | |
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| Nuclear safety in light of the 2011 Fukushima event in Japan | |
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| Nuclear waste | |
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| Protecting natural/cultural resources | |
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| Reduce, reuse, recycle | |
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| Shale gas New | |
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| Water quality and availability | |
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| Quality Workforce | |||
| Diversity and inclusion New | |
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| Employee development and engagement | |
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| Worker safety and health | |
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| Workforce planning, recruitment and hiring New | |
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| Strong Communities | |||
| Charitable giving/volunteerism | |
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| Economic development/jobs | |
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| Public safety | |
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| Governance and Transparency | |||
| Corporate governance New | |
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| Ethics and compliance Expanded | |
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| Participating in the political process Expanded | |
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| Total shareholder return/financial success | |
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| Supply chain sustainability Expanded | |
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| New | We have added the issue to our listing this year. | Emerging | Stakeholders, Duke Energy and other companies are taking an interest in the issue. | |
| Expanded | We have expanded the name to include additional aspects of the issue. | Developing | Regulations, solutions and/or projects are being proposed, piloted or implemented. | |
| Mature | The issue is well-known, and industry best practices are becoming commonplace. |