Endesa unveils first-of-a-kind circular economy academy in Spain
Endesa has launched the first circular economy academy in Spain to prepare its workforce and operations with the changing economic models that are resulting from the incorporation of sustainability in business cases.
The utility has partnered with various universities including Zaragoza, Navarra, Lleida, and La Rioja at Iberus Campus to train its workforce on resource management, conservation, recycling, and sustainability and innovation.
The academy launched with the training of some 30 employees of Endesa who attended 37 hours of online courses. Modules taught include circular economy as a competitive advantage, circularity metrics, shared value and the circular economy, life cycle analysis, environmental management, product eco-design, cities and territories, circular cities, legislation and global strategies.
Sessions also included the use of waste and renewable raw materials within the framework of the circular economy. The main aim behind the launch of the academy is to combine competitiveness and sustainability through innovation.
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A Master’s Degree in Circular Economy will be available from next year in the Campus Iberus.
The development comes at a time the circular economy is being presented as the essential basis for a new sustainable economic model, which aspires to make more efficient use of resources, to ensure environmental sustainability, carbon emissions reductions, and climate change mitigation, according to a statement.
María Malaxechevarría, general manager for sustainability at Endesa, said: “Decarbonisation through the energy mix (closing down thermal power stations and promoting renewable energy) will enable a 55% reduction in emissions globally, but to progress further it will be necessary to move towards a circular model, incorporating all its criteria in the different links of the value chain. It is a necessary response to disassociate economic growth from the consumption of resources and environmental damage.”
Endesa will improve the penetration of the circular economy model by continuing to train its workers on the topic. Three of the company’s circular economy academies including the two operated by Enel in Latin America and in Italy will run on the same dates and include contributions from external parties on the topic.
This will enable Endesa to continue to incorporate circularity into its culture and activities, from the construction of new renewable plants to the relationship with customers.
The utility seeks to incorporate sustainability across its entire value chain through partnerships on circularity with suppliers, consumers and stakeholders in various sectors.
