He’Action Group Sustainability and CSR in public companies‘, led by forética and composed of 33 member entities – led by Adif and ICO -, addressed in this year’s edition the promotion of innovative solutions by businesses and public bodies to contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate changeas well as the opportunities that exist as public companies to finance decarbonisation.
As part of the Spanish Forum of Public Enterprises for Sustainability organized by Forética, high-impact initiatives were shared by several public bodies members of the action group “sustainability and Social Duty of Public Enterprises”, such as Adif, Public Corporation Empresarial de navarra (CPEN), Enresa, ICO, Mare and Paradores.
the establishment of measures for energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, the development of safer and more enduring buildings and infrastructure, the promotion of projects aimed at promoting the circular economy and the promotion of sustainable mobility among employees and the population. In general, these are some of the main initiatives carried out by companies and public bodies in the Action Group for climate change mitigation and adaptation in thier organisations.
The meeting was inaugurated by Manuel Illueca Muñoz, president of the ICO, Luis Pedro Marco, president of Adif. the meeting was closed by Paula Fernández-Wulff,Director General of the 2030 Agenda of the Ministry of Social Rights,Consumption and Agenda 2030,who presented the main actions developed by the Government to advance the Sustainable Development Goals,as well as the details of the next sustainable Development Council. From the IDAE (institute for Diversification and Energy Saving),the director of Knowledge,Development of New Business Models and Competitiveness,Miguel Rodrigo,explained the details of the recent update of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan ( PNIEC) 2021 -2030 and it’s implications for businesses.
Furthermore,the report “Sustainable transformation in public companies: climate change adaptation,talent attraction and internal control of sustainability information“,which includes the work carried out this year by the Action Group “Sustainability and CSR in public companies”. From an ESG point of view, the growing importance of measures to address the impacts of climate change, strategies to attract and retain talent in the public sector, and the implementation of internal control systems for sustainability information (ICSIS) that improve the traceability and control of this data, while also facilitating regulatory compliance.
Among the conclusions of the report, it stands out that, given the increasingly evident effects of climate change, it is essential to broaden attention towards adaptation measures in companies that integrate mitigation actions. In this sense, 90% of the companies and public bodies in the Action Group have actions aimed at contributing to the mitigation and/or adaptation of the possible impacts of climate change in their business strategies and recognize the importance of this topic . These measures demonstrate the industry’s commitment to addressing climate challenges and ensuring long-term sustainability.
The Sustainability and CSR in Public Enterprises action Group, led by Forética and directed by Adif and the Official Credit Institute (ICO), is made up of more than 30 member public bodies: Aena, Aquavall, Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM) , CESCE , Public Economic Body of Aragon, Public economic Body of Navarra (CPEN), ENAIRE, Enresa, ENUSA, Extremadura Avante, Grupo Tragsa, ICEX, INECO, Informa D&B, Mare, Mercasa, Navantia, Paradores, Renfe, RTVE, SENASA, Statkraft, SEPI and Valenciaport.Participating in the Group as observer members are: COFIDES, Guardia Civil, ISDEFE, General Directorate of Police, Rete Eletta, Rete Nazionale CSR Sanitaria and State Commercial Company for the Management of Real Estate Assets (SEGIPSA).
Source: Forética
How can public companies leverage financing to support their sustainability efforts?
Interview between Time.news editor and Forética Sustainability Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking wiht Dr. Elena Martínez, an expert in sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from Forética.Dr. Martínez, thank you for joining us.
dr. Elena Martínez: Thank you for having me! it’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in.Forética recently led the ‘Action Group Sustainability and CSR in Public Companies,’ which includes 33 member entities. Can you explain what key initiatives were discussed at this year’s meeting?
Dr. Martínez: Absolutely. This year, our focus was on promoting innovative solutions that public bodies and businesses can implement to mitigate and adapt to climate change.A significant part of our discussions revolved around how public companies, such as Adif and ICO, can spearhead initiatives that not only reduce their carbon footprint but also demonstrate leadership in sustainability.
Editor: That’s exciting! You mentioned innovative solutions. Could you share some examples of the projects or initiatives that were presented?
Dr. Martínez: Certainly! We saw high-impact initiatives from various public bodies. For example, Adif is making strides in enduring transportation infrastructure, while organizations like Enresa are working on waste management solutions that prioritize both environmental responsibility and community engagement. Each of these initiatives showcases a unique approach to sustainability that’s tailored to the specific challenges faced by the respective organizations.
Editor: It sounds like there are many opportunities for public companies to lead the charge in sustainability. How do you see the role of financing in this transition towards decarbonisation?
Dr. Martínez: Finance is a crucial component of the transition to decarbonization. Public companies have unique advantages when it comes to accessing funding, whether that’s through government initiatives, public-private partnerships, or green bonds. By leveraging these financial tools, public entities can fund innovative projects that might otherwise struggle to find investment. This creates a ripple effect, enabling them to drive change both within their organizations and in the wider community.
Editor: Interesting! The collaboration among these 33 entities—what role does collaboration play in achieving sustainability goals?
Dr. Martínez: Collaboration is vital. Each member brings unique strengths and perspectives,creating a robust network of support and knowledge sharing. This collective approach allows us to tackle challenges more effectively, share best practices, and amplify successful initiatives. Working together not only enhances the impact of our efforts but also inspires others in the community to adopt similar practices.
Editor: It’s inspiring to hear about these collaborations. What future trends do you anticipate in the realm of sustainability for public companies?
Dr. Martínez: I believe we’ll see a growing emphasis on circular economy principles, where companies will prioritize sustainability not just in their operations but across their entire supply chain. Moreover, digital technologies will play a key role, helping organizations gather data for better decision-making and increasing transparency for stakeholders. The integration of these trends could drive significant progress in our sustainability efforts.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martínez, for your insights. It’s clear that there is a tremendous possibility for public companies to lead in sustainability and CSR. Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
Dr. Martínez: Just to emphasize that every single effort counts. Whether you are a public entity or an individual, taking action towards sustainability matters.It’s time for us to embrace our responsibility and push for a sustainable future together.
Editor: Thank you for such an enlightening conversation today. We look forward to following the ongoing efforts of Forética and its members in driving sustainability forward!
Dr. Martínez: Thank you for having me!