28 October 2020 AENOR has today recognised Ferrovial as the first company to certify its sustainability strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDA) promoted by the United Nations. Inspired by the UN guidelines and the Global Compact, the AENOR certification model aims to highlight the contributions of business to the achievement of the SDGs and to reaffirm the importance of incorporating these objectives into companies' strategic plans.
Some of the most notable benefits of certification include the fact that this global certification scheme is based on an international reference of sustainability, on the commitments acquired and transferred to interested parties, and on the integrability of this model with other international reports.
Among the various aspects recognised in Ferrovial's case, and in its alignment with the SDGs relevant to its core business, this certification supports the company's commitment to climate change, one of the greatest environmental challenges facing contemporary society and in which companies play a decisive role.
Ferrovial has worked to integrate all its sustainability actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 13 on Climate Action. To this end, the company has established several lines of action in its Climate Strategy aimed at contributing to the decarbonisation of the economy and at combating the effects of climate change. Internally, Ferrovial has established emission reduction targets for 2030 which are endorsed by the internationally recognised Science Based Targets initiative, and based on the energy efficiency of its stationary sources, the renewal of proportional electric vehicles and the purchase of electricity from renewable sources, among other actions.
It has also established an internal commitment for 100% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025; and to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050, whereby all emissions resulting from their activities that have not been reduced must be compensated.
Ferrovial is also carrying out actions aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD), which assesses risks and opportunities arising from climate change. To develop its strategy, the company carried out a thorough analysis of financial and reputational risks, legislative changes, market and physical risks etc. as relating to the area of climate change; and also of opportunities such as financial and social impact, trying to find new sustainable solutions that help their clients, users and society as a whole.
"As an infrastructure company, we are trying to promote new sustainable mobility models, such as carsharing in Madrid with Zity. We are also focusing on the issue of water, which is one of the major issues of climate change in terms not only of quantity but of quality. We've been offering solutions in those areas for years. We also offer solutions in the rehabilitation of homes, which could be a niche market because housing is one of the largest energy consumers in cities and many homes are obsolete from an energy standpoint", said Ana Belén Peña Laseca, Ferrovial's Quality and Environment Manager.
"This certification highlights the importance of including the SDGs in business strategies in order to provide a framework for economic recovery, emphasising the value of the company as a key agent for achieving these objectives, and reaffirming their commitment to the United Nations Agenda 2030", said José Magro, AENOR's Sustainability and CSR Manager.
TROPS THE FIRST AGRI-FOOD COMPANY
Finally, it should be noted that, based on the same certification scheme, the first agri-food company has also been recognised. Trops has established several lines of action in its Climate Strategy aimed at contributing to the decarbonisation of the economy and to combating the effects of climate change. Internally, Ferrovial has established emission reduction targets for 2030 which are endorsed by the internationally recognised Science Based Targets initiative, and based on the energy efficiency of its stationary sources, the renewal of proportional electric vehicles and the purchase of electricity from renewable sources, among other actions.
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