Impact Day, sharing the keys to fostering positive impact

Major companies discussed how they address current environmental and social challenges.

The climate crisis is no longer just a reputational issue, it has become a business issue and companies are already orienting their efforts in the right direction.

In this context, Neture Impact organized on Wednesday, May 29th the Impact Day, an event where leading companies from different sectors met to discuss first-hand the positive impact they generate and their strategies for the future in society.

Energy transition as a driver of economic transformation

The day began with an interview with Beatriz Corredor, president of Redeia, and Xavier Vallés, Managing Director of Neture Impact, in which they talked about how sustainability and technological disruption have challenged the traditional trilemma of the energy sector. A belief that it was not possible to simultaneously achieve security, equity and sustainability and that with the current energy crisis it has been demonstrated that all three can be achieved.

In addition, the president of Redeia, shared the great evolution that renewable energies have undergone thanks to technology, which has allowed them to become safer and more accessible.

On the evolution and context of the energy sector also spoke Pedro Fresco, director of Avaesen, who highlighted:

• Falling prices of renewable energies and batteries due to government decisions.

   

• Technology is at the service of decarbonization through systems such as industrial heat pumps, thermal storage, electrolyzers, manufacturing of e-fuels, etc. In fact, he stated that "we have the technology to decarbonize almost everything".

   

• Some milestones such as the disappearance of combustion cars in 2035, driven by policies that encourage technological disruption, with China leading the transition. In this regard, he noted that "while there is a risk of political blowback, it is unlikely to stop this wave of change for long. Clean energy is now associated with cheap and transformative industrialization, and this change is irreversible."

The sustainable consumer of 2034

During the event, the Neture Impact study "The sustainable consumer of 2034" was also presented, an approach to the public perception of sustainability and its implications in ten years' time. Xavier Vallés was in charge of sharing the main insights, including:

• More than half of the population (54%) believe that their lives will get worse because of climate change.

   

• The Zeta generation is the most concerned about climate change.

   

• Citizens rely on governments, science, society and business to accelerate the ecological transition, although they see the institutional and scientific spheres as the accelerators of change.

Techmobility, the way to enjoy the cities

Another of the topics discussed at the conference was the evolution of mobility towards sustainability, merging with technology to offer environmentally friendly transportation services. David Pérez, Cabify's Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, highlighted the company's positive impact strategies. Cabify is committed to eliminating emissions from its fleet in Spain by 2025 and in Latin America by 2030.

This effort demonstrates the viability and effectiveness of adopting sustainable practices in the mobility industry, leading the way to a cleaner and healthier future for all.

Greenwashing-free communication

Over the years, many companies have used sustainability as a marketing tool, even with minimal actions. This abuse jeopardizes the genuine transition to sustainability that other companies are making. To combat greenwashing, the new EU directive establishes strict criteria that will prevent misleading claims about the environmental merits of products and services.

Companies must adopt practices that truly promote a positive impact on the environment. Marta Aisa, Director of Responsible Banking at Santander, emphasized that financial companies must be "catalysts to ensure a more efficient allocation of financial resources," accompanying sustainable projects and ensuring their correct execution.

Along these lines, Marta Grasa, Director of Marketing and Communication at Aldi, shared how sustainability is integrated transversally in her company, from the selection of local and quality suppliers to the reduction of single-use plastics.

For his part, Óscar Hernández, Pascual's Director of Public Affairs and Communication, pointed out that effective communication with the agricultural sector is also crucial in the ecological transition: "we cannot leave anyone behind, least of all farmers". Promoting accessibility and raising awareness among those reluctant to change is essential to achieve real change.

Companies have a fundamental role to play in the sustainable transformation of the Spanish economy and society is aware of this. Impact Day was a space to give visibility to solutions that are already being developed and to show that it is time to accelerate the transition towards decarbonization and circular economy.