Edison Next and APD organize a forum to address the keys to decarbonizing the Basque economy.

Edison Next, an energy services company and subsidiary of the EDISON energy group and the French giant EDF, and APD, an independent non-profit organization, held a business forum titled “The Journey to Decarbonization in the Company” at the Euskalduna Palace, aiming to address the keys to decarbonizing the Basque business fabric. The event began with the presentation of the meeting by Nagore Larrea, Director of Sustainability at Grupo Tubacex, and Ana Camacho, Director of Industry and Energy Transition of the Basque Government, who emphasized the need for close collaboration between the public and private sectors to address the region’s environmental and economic challenges. Following them, Íñigo Bertrand, CEO of Edison Next, took the floor, stressing the importance of the transition to renewable energies and energy efficiency as fundamental pillars for achieving a sustainable Basque industry. “At Edison Next, we are committed to transforming the energy landscape towards cleaner and more efficient solutions. This not only benefits the environment but also boosts the competitiveness and resilience of companies,” Bertrand stated. According to the Basque Ecological Footprint report, the carbon footprint constitutes the largest part of the Basque Ecological Footprint, representing 51% of the total, due to the dependence on fossil fuels, which remains the main cause of CO2 emissions in the region. Likewise, the CEO of Edison Next also spoke about the Energy Savings Certificates (CAES), which provide financial incentives to companies or public entities that present projects demonstrating final energy savings. The Ministry of Energy has granted Edison Next the status of delegated entity, making it one of the first companies in Spain capable of issuing these certificates. In Bertrand’s words, “Energy Savings Certificates represent an important step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. The most attractive aspect of CAEs is not what obligated parties can reduce in their payments, but their ability to mobilize energy efficiency investments much more agilely.” The event concluded with a roundtable discussion on the various opportunities that can arise around competitiveness derived from the decarbonization of organizations. Participants included Olga Martín, General Director of Aclima; José Manuel Campos, Corporate Industrial Director of Grupo Alimentario IAN; Rafael Lacasa, Factory Director of Solidus San Andrés; and Iñigo Bertrand, CEO of Edison Next. During the roundtable, aligned with the Basque Energy Development Strategic Plan Horizon 2030 and the emission reduction and renewable energy generation targets set in the Basque Green Deal, the need to integrate the concept of sustainability into public policies, business strategies, and the dynamics of Basque society was emphasized. Progress made in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions was also highlighted. Furthermore, participants stressed the importance of aligning public policies and business strategies with sustainability and decarbonization goals. For his part, José Manuel Campos, Corporate Industrial Director of Grupo Alimentario IAN, shared his company’s experience in implementing sustainable practices and highlighted how investment in clean technologies can lead to significant improvements in operational efficiency and emission reductions. “At Grupo IAN, we aim for a 29% reduction in our emissions by 2027, 42% by 2030, and 90% by 2050, with the additional commitment of offsetting 10% to achieve carbon neutrality through a joint project with Edison Next,” Campos explained. Meanwhile, Rafael Lacasa, Factory Director of Solidus San Andrés, highlighted the importance of the circular economy in the decarbonization strategy and the need to reassess industrial processes to minimize waste and maximize resource reuse. A series of keys to decarbonizing the Basque economy, in a space for dialogue where speakers emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the adoption of clean technologies, as well as the combination of renewable energies, energy efficiency, and the circular economy as key elements in the pursuit of a sustainable future for the Basque Country.