Here at ACCIONA, we are committed to sustainability and to being accountable for each of our actions. What our stakeholders think matters, so we are conducting a survey to find out which sustainability topics you consider relevant to include them in the Sustainability Report.
Please answer this survey, which is anonymous and confidential, before March 1st, 2012. It will only take you 5 minutes (7 questions in all).
Thank you for your collaboration!
On December 15, ACCIONA and other members of The Prince of Wales’s EU Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change sent a letter to EU decision makers, including President Barroso, Commissioners, Ministers and MEPs. The document is an urgent call for re-calibration of Phase III of the Emissions Trading Scheme EU (ETS, for its acronym in English) and a withholding of allowances, in order to bring stability to carbon markets.
The business leaders point out that the economic crisis has significantly impacted the effectiveness of the EU ETS, as demonstrated by today’s limited levels of trading and low carbon price, we ask European policymakers to adopt near- and mid-term measures both to take into consideration future economic instability and to ensure that new policy proposals do not negatively impact the trading scheme.
Debate over the energy model can constantly be heard on the street: advantages and disadvantages of gas, coal and oil, the nuclear controversy, the viability of renewables… Among the torrents of arguments, here are 10 to that explain the vital role of clean energies within a sustainable economic model.
1. They need to take action ―right now. The world is undergoing a transition towards sustainability. ACCIONA has been fostering sustainability since 2005 ―and we’re making more and more progress by the day. In the early stages, thanks to a raft of initiatives; and currently thanks to ACCIONA’s Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) which encompasses the entire range of this kind of initiatives, plans them in a structured way and applies them horizontally and with a medium-to-long term vision.
2. They need to balance ongoing initiatives. Companies need to balance measures such as the Energy Efficiency Plan, by bringing disabled workers in to the workforce or through a Corporate Volunteer Plan with medium- and long-term projects such as linking variable remuneration to competencies in sustainability or emissions control-linked compensation. In this sense, companies need to get into the habit of carrying out their activities in parallel and horizontally across their organizations.
3. Companies have to integrate the concept of multilaterality at all levels. Sustainability has to be driven both top-down and bottom-up. At ACCIONA we do it through our Sustainability Master Plan―driven by the Sustainability Committee and the Sustainability Area’s management team―and through a broad set of measures involving innovation or limiting the environmental footprint of our projects before finally integrating them in our corporate strategy.
4. Interweave practices, initiatives and plans structurally across the organization. ACCIONA’s Sustainability General Area uses the SMP to work directly with the Corporate Governance team, the Financial team, the HR team, Purchases, Environment, Quality and Processes, and other areas, towards the implementation of horizontal measures and initiatives (e.g. training and the Social Action Plan) and vertical ones (e.g. requirements for providers or the inclusion of sustainability criteria in the Corporate Risk Map. Companies must avoid turning sustainability into a silo and avoid linking it to any particular area other than Sustainability itself.
5. Everything must be measured: if specific business metrics do not exist, invent them. ACCIONA’s SMP includes a range of verifiable indicators for each of the commitments and objectives laid down in the Plan’s nine areas of action, and our aim is to submit them to external verification in the course of 2011.
6. Intangibles must be taken seriously. ACCIONA works daily to promote sustainability practices worldwide, institutionally and across its businesses. We see sustainability as something that contributes to not only to our reputation but also the ability to generate the business conditions needed for the success of our sustainable business model.
7. Internal and external transparency is the basis of authenticity, which is necessary for success. Let’s get real: sustainability needs to help mitigate risks and discover and generate business opportunities. That’s why we’ve modified our management style and our corporate risk map to face the long-term challenges of sustainability, which has marked the way in which we train our personnel in sustainability practices. There is a clear need to move beyond the short-term and to understand opportunities that involve another way of doing business. Those business opportunities require a new organizational and entrepreneurial model. Here at ACCIONA we believe that we embody this new model.
The date is approaching. In less than a week’s time UN summit Climate Change, COP16, will get under way in Cancun, Mexico (29 November to 10 December).
And ACCIONA, true to its commitment to sustainable development and the fight against climate change, will be there. In particular, we will be participating actively in side events from December 5th-9th in the Green Solutions group of events.
In addition, as a member of the Corporate Leaders Group for Climate Change, and prior to this summit, we presented the Cancun Communiqué to the European Commission, promoting the signing of a global ambitious, robust and equitable whose key points you will find detailed this document.
Wind power is today the most mature and efficient of all renewable energies. It does not pollute, it is inexhaustible and it reduces the use of fossil fuels, helping to curb global warming. According to the Impact of Wind Energy Sector in Spain Macroeconomic Study (by Deloitte for the Spanish Wind Energy Association and presented last Wednesday), the wind industry in Spain is “a highly competitive industry with companies that are a reference worldwide, with a relevant position to major markets and highly qualified professionals”.
At ACCIONA we are leaders in the development and construction of wind farms, and we are present across the value chain, from design to sales of wind energy.
ACCIONA and wind energy video
José Manuel Entrecanales in Cajamarca
About 600 families in rural areas in Cajamarca, a mountainous area in Peru, have now electricity in their homes through the implementation of Solar Home Systems (SHS). This is the first project developed by Acciona Foundation Micropower (Project Light House) and carried out by Peru Micropower.
This project, which involved dozens of volunteers from ACCIONA, seeks sustainability twice: on the one hand, electricity is generated by solar energy, and secondly, management does not depend on donations, but it is a small business that pretends to be self-sufficient, based on an initial donation and a model fee service.
You can see a video of the project here.
What exactly is Sustainable Construction? Almost half of our country’s energy consumption corresponds to the energy consumed over the life of the buildings. Therefore, improving efficiency in terms of energy consumption is essential to combat climate change.
At ACCIONA, we design construction systems for a new model of energy efficient building. To do so, we have a specialized R&D center that follows different lines of research that pursue the development of nano-materials and cutting-edge materials, new construction processes and energy efficient building.
The most outstanding example is the ACCIONA Solar head offices in Navarre, a zero emissions building. This building consumes 52% less energy than a similar conventional one thanks to the application of a broad range of energy efficient measures, and covers 48% of its energy needs via PV solar (electricity), solar thermal and biodiesel (HVAC). We invite you to watch this video:
In 1974 scientists warned about the progressive destruction of the ozone layer caused by chemicals being generated by human. Experts say the problem is controlled in the medium term thanks to the positive effect caused by the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which led to a distress call about the problem and sharing solutions. Every September 16th since 1994, we celebrate International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, to follow helping to raise awareness throughout society.
In ACCIONA, in our commitment to improving the quality of life society and the welfare of future generations, we have avoided the emission of 7,912,033 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere so far this year.
Sustainability will be the main topic of several events that will take place after summer vacations. As a member of the main organizations oriented to sustainable development, we invite you to follow them:
ACCIONA
