Aqualia duplica el consumo de energías renovables en dos años, reduciendo el impacto ambiental de su actividad

Aqualia produced 177,460 Gigajoules (GJ) of renewable energy in 2017 and reported a direct renewable energy consumption of 125,294 GJ, which is over twice the figure reported in 2015, primarily thanks to the new facilities managed in Spain with elevated biogas production. This is one of the salient milestones of the Twelfth Corporate Social Responsibility Report that the company released to disclosure of how it performed economically, socially and environmentally in 2017. 

“Real Sustainability” was the main message under which the Report underscores the daily activities at Aqualia: managing the water service for over 22.5 million people worldwide based on three strategic lines that encompass all aspects of the company's activity and its relationship with stakeholders: connecting with citizens, developing smart services and exemplary conduct as an organisation: 

A record-setting moment for e-billing: Aqualia has become the sector's top company in terms of the amount of customers signed up for e-billing. In this regard, over 330,300 citizens have made a firm commitment to the environment by opting to receive paperless bills.

Dispelling the myths surrounding water management: The “Myths about water management” (Falsos Mitos sobre la gestión del agua) campaign, which was widely acclaimed in the sector, is another prominent initiative showcased in the Report. With this campaign, we made strides to inform stakeholders of the verifiable reality of all stages in water cycle management and the corresponding roles of public and private operators. 

Sustainable innovation, the real star of the show. Aqualia invested €4,100,302 in Research, Development and Innovation (RD&i), secured 10 patents and currently runs 20 projects with strikingly good results. The All-gas project is one clear example. In 2017, the EU Climate Action Commissioner inaugurated the final large-scale demonstration phase of this project, which has become the paradigm shift for the treatment of wastewater, which it uses to produce biomass available for uses such as fuel for vehicles and biofertilisers. 

Exemplary performance: Human Capital proved to be absolutely essential for reaching these milestones. Aqualia invests resources in fostering the labour well-being and continuous training for its 7,877 professionals around the globe. Securing the EFR family-friendly enterprise seal and being the first company in the sector to do so is one particularly outstanding initiative. The company also secured an extension of the Equality Seal from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality in recognition of the company's commitment to diversity and equal opportunities for men and women.

This philosophy has been pervasive in Spain and abroad. Internationally, the Report highlights the major contracts that Aqualia was awarded in 2017, though it particularly underscores the impact that they have had on the economic and social development in the regions where they are being performed. Such a positive impact received recognition from, for instance, the Financial Times (FT) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) during the FT/ITC Transformational Business Awards. During these awards, Aqualia was shortlisted for its role in the New Cairo treatment plant in Egypt, which the UN has praised as being an exemplary contribution to progress in developing countries.

This is the twelfth straight year that Aqualia has published its Corporate Social Responsibility Report and the present report was drawn up following the comprehensive option in the 2016 Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting guidelines to GRI standards and verified by an independent external entity (AENOR). In addition to the Spanish and English versions, the report was also published in Portuguese. The digital version can be viewed from iPads and other mobile devices, and can also be read and downloaded directly from the website.