Letter from the General Director
#TrueCommitment
It gives all of us who form part of Aqualia to present to you
this eleventh edition Corporate Social Responsibility Report for
2016. And for me personally it is an excellent way —a special
channel— to reach out to all our stakeholders directly.
If one thing makes us stand out at Aqualia it's the role that sustainable development plays as a substantial part of our business model: combining generating social benefits with fair profits for the company puts us in a privileged position in the water-management sector.
And in this report we include a selection of Aqualia's socioeconomic impact over the last year and the company's contribution towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), approved by the UN General Assembly in New York on 25 September 2015 and officially in force since 1 January 2016. For the first time, these goals now include the role of the private sector (SDG 17; http://onu.org. pe/ods-17/).
This report is intended to serve as a tool to leverage public/ private partnerships in the water sector and the direct benefits that they can bring for society.
And we must never forget that our responsibility and commitment towards the local districts where we work is not limited solely to providing the service but goes further than it. We always seek to contribute towards improving people's well-being, particularly for the most vulnerable groups. Thus, in 2016, our initiatives have included renewing our partnership with Caritas to cover payment for water services for people at risk of exclusion. We have also reached a similar new partnership agreement with Vigo Council, helping us to identify and propose alternative solutions for families going through financial difficulties.
Also this year we've continued working with the firm intention of improving not only the quality of the services we provide for more than 20 million people all over the world, but also their experience as users. With the launch of the SmartAqua app, we have taken another step forward in the digital transformation of our services, to offer the public a new window for real-time communication that's more convenient and simpler, enabling us to respond more effectively and promptly to their needs and expectations.
It's important to stress that are of us — the company and the public — have a responsibility when it comes to the efficiency and sustainability of our water resources and infrastructure. Aqualia has continued to pursue a great many awareness-building actions targeted at all kinds of audiences. For example, in 2016 once again we have organised the International Children's Drawing Contest, now in its 14th edition, setting a new record for entries with more than 10,000 children from Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic taking part. The #nolotires (#DontThrowItAway) campaign aims to build awareness among the general public of the proper use of sanitation systems.
The links between water and the environment, and the consequences that climate change could have in the future, leave us no option but to act diligently in everything we do. This year we have continued to make progress with the implementation and adaptation of the Energy Management System under the standard ISO 50001, in order to comply with R.D. 56/2016 and reduce our carbon footprint yet further. This commitment towards the environment is extended to our users through such initiatives as “Pásate a la e-factura” (“Switch to E-Billing”), which aims to step up the growing number of clients opting for electronic rather than printed bills, absolutely free of charge, and since its launch has proved to be a great success (more than 70% users compared with last year), making us one of the Spanish companies with the most customers who taking advantage of this service.
Innovation is another cornerstone of our business and one that helps us to keep making improvements to efficient, sustainable water management. In 2016 we have been pleased to launch new RDI projects focused on wastewater treatment. Our intention is to improve energy performance and efficiency and obtain new products with greater added value from the waste that is generated at treatment plants.
In 2010 we were the first company in the sector to be awarded the Equality Enterprise seal from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality. And now we have presented the fifth action report, which the ministry has backed, positively valuing the awareness-building campaigns devised by Aqualia for International Women's Day (8 March) and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November). The training the company has organised, particularly with a view to increasing women's presence in senior positions, such as the High-Potential Women management programme, the mentoring programme to foster female talent, and the workshops "Lead Your Own Future" and "Supporting Talent".
These and many other matters help us to maintain our position and keep on growing with new contracts and awards. And all Aqualia's employees have a stake in making this possible, with their hard work, professionalism and human qualities. Because, this year once again they have demonstrated their degree of involvement and commitment towards society. Good examples of this are the many local initiatives that have been put into practice in the districts where we operate, including their cooperation in the efforts to combat domestic violence through the #AqualiaContigo ( #AqualiaWithYou) campaign, in which nearly 2,000 employees have been involved.
I trust that you will find Aqualia's social-responsibility report to be of interest to you, and urge you to join me for the next one, when I'm certain that we will be able speak once again of our company's #TrueCommitment to contribute towards improving people's quality of life.
Regards,
Félix Parra Mediavilla
CEO of Aqualia
