The UN’s 2030 Agenda has been approved for five years now, and many companies have gotten down to work around the world so that the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) that were agreed at that time leave their place on paper, and constitute a tangible reality for the benefit of all.
Spain has not been an exception, and we are proud that so many businessmen have been involved in this mission. As a thank you, we wanted to draw up a list of companies committed to sustainable development in our country.
Which are the Spanish companies most committed to sustainable development ?
MAPFRE
The insurance company MAPFRE deserves a place on this list for its social investment and its work, specifically, to carry out SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13 and 17; has implanted a Corporate Volunteer Program, in which more than 11,000 employees and family members worldwide participate, in order to improve the well-being of those people who are in unfavorable situations.
In the midst of the Covid Era, putting together the data from MAPFRE and Fundación MAPFRE, up to 200 million euros can be counted in investment to facilitate the maintenance of employment and economic recovery, as well as the provision of health resources to alleviate the effects of the pandemic.
BBVA
SDG number 17 has become the main (but not the only) workhorse of this financial entity; in a global initiative called Compromiso 2025, BBVA has set out to mobilize 100 billion euros to fight climate change and promote sustainable development over the next five years.
It has been the first Spanish bank to take advantage of the Science Based Targets Initiative, which has the purpose of certifying that the emission targets are adjusted to the level of decarbonisation required for 2050.
With regard to implementing sustainable development in the company, it has acquired the commitment to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 68% by the year 2025, as well as that 70% of all its contracted energy comes from renewable sources.
Acciona
SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are on Acciona’s agenda, being one of the companies that most supports sustainable development: its commitment to renewable energies It is one of the banners brandished by its leaders, who intend to effect a total abandonment of fossil fuels, and drastically reduce carbon footprint.
In addition, Acciona has shown itself to be highly committed to bringing clean water and sanitation to as many cities as possible, and increasing the use of renewable energy from 25 to 38% by 2025: wind and photovoltaic farms are already a reality.
Banco Santander
This bank demonstrates that the “sustainable development” and “leading company” pairing can and should go hand in hand: Banco Santander’s ambitious agenda to achieve various SDGs by 2025 includes initiatives such as allocating more than €20 billion in green financing, to expand the bank’s microlending operations, or consume the 60 % of their energy through renewable sources.
In addition, it intends to be placed among one of the 10 best companies to work for. To this end, it has been proposed that the Board of Directors be made up of between 40 and 60% women in 2025, that 30% of women occupy management positions, and that total gender pay equity be achieved .
Iberdrola
Adhering to the 2030 Agenda, Iberdrola, one of our leading companies in the field of electricity, will be in charge of providing electricity to 16 million people in emerging or developing countries.
The quality of the air in our cities is also being compromised: Iberdrola adhered to the “Plataforma x Aire Limpio”, with an advisory committee headed by Xavier Querol, scientist and researcher at the CSIC, and with the participation of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery, the Ecodes Foundation and the Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research.
Repsol
Repsol is one of the examples of sustainability of a company traditionally linked to fossil fuels, and reconverted to achieve some SDGs.
Specifically, Repsol advocates facilitating access to energy, contributing to socioeconomic development and fighting climate change, in a declaration of intent for SDGs 7, 8 and 13.
On the other hand, SDGs 6, 9 and 12 may be grounded in their commitment to optimizing water management, support for technology and innovation, and progress towards a circular economy.
These are just some of our companies committed to sustainable development; Fortunately, there are many others that work for it. Contact us if you want to know how your company can contribute to the SDGs.
