Sustainable development as a roadmap for growth

Cellnex launches its Strategic Sustainability Plan linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Climate change is a threat on the path towards sustainability and a challenge for the management of natural resources. Sustainable development is the best opportunity for companies to guide their growth towards strategies that respect the environment. With this premise, in 2015, the UN launched the 2030 Agenda, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as a series of recommendations for companies around the world. Many are already applying them to their daily operations, and those who aren´t will more than likely do so shortly.

Cellnex launched its Strategic Plan for Sustainability for the period of 2019-2023, which is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN. The project aims to raise the level of responsibility of the company in the field of sustainability to work towards becoming a leader in environmental management. The plan also seeks to achieve a high level of commitment among the stakeholders of the company that contributes to increasing their environmental awareness.

Cellnex aligns its strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, at a time when shareholders, investors and regulators increase their demands for access to non-financial information of companies. The Strategic Sustainability Plan is part of the daily activity of the company and is structured around 11 lines:

• Planning and management of sustainability – SDG 8, 9 and 17
• Mitigation and adaptation to climate change – SDGs 11 and 13
• Energy management – SDG 7, 11 and 12
• Responsible and circular management of resources – SDG 9, 11 and 12
• Sustainable and safe mobility – SDG 9, 11 and 13
• Natural spaces and biodiversity – SDGs 14 and 15
• Development of sustainable products and services – SDG 9 and 12
• Responsible management of the supply chain – SDG 8 and 12
• Measuring the impacts on society and the planet – SDGs 10, 11, 14 and 15
• Strengthening relationships with stakeholders and society – SDGs 11 and 17
• Communication of the sustainability strategy – SDG 17

Each of these strategic methods addresses different actions associated with the Sustainable Development Goals such as the standardizing of management systems, the calculation of the carbon footprint and the emission compensation program, the development of sustainable products and services or the identification of natural spaces and biodiversity.

One of the highlights of the strategic plan in reference to carbon management is the establishment of SBT objectives. These objectives, aligned with the Paris agreement (COP 21, 2015) are to avoid the effects of climate change, and are aimed at developing methodologies for the calculation of objectives based on scientific knowledge and making it the dominant practice. With this, Cellnex intends to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adding to the overall objective of the Paris Agreement to maintain the increase in global average temperature below 2ºC in the coming years.

Cellnex measures and traces its impact on society and on the planet, by proposing initiatives such as the calculation of integrated social value (VSI) and the natural capital in the short and long term. Reinforcing relations with stakeholders through education and awareness actions or participation workshops also helps to strengthen the positive perception of the company.

Another relevant point is the responsible management of the supply chain. Cellnex carries out its activity responsibly and in accordance with a series of principles and values ​​that it wants to transfer over to its stakeholders, especially its suppliers. Following this policy, the company has reinforced its evaluation of the environmental practices of its main suppliers, requesting participation in the CDP Supply Chain questionnaire.

Finally, Cellnex has planned a communication plan aimed at its stakeholders, which reports on the company’s progress in terms of sustainability, and participates in forums and events related to this matter.