Sustainability

Subtítulo sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit.

In recent years, Adif has evolved from a business model in which Corporate Social Responsibility played a relevant but complementary role and sometimes separated from the entity's strategy, to a model in which the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability strategy is equivalent to the Business Strategy. Consequently, the firm's whole strategy and operations must be based on our responsibility as a company vis-à-vis society to contribute to a development model that is truly sustainable.
Responsive Image
From this vision, based on Corporate Responsibility and focused on Sustainable Development, a strategy has been designed and deployed that focuses on the safety of the railway system, in developing and managing a network capable of providing a reliable, inclusive and competitive rail service, and in sustainability as a way to guarantee both the financial viability of our companies and the generation of positive impacts and to improve our ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) performance. All this with a clear and rigorous focus on results, seeking maximum effectiveness and efficiency in managing public resources.
Consequently, Adif not only tries to provide an effective response to the demands and expectations of our most direct stakeholders, it also seeks to contribute to specific sustainable development goals in accordance with the 2030 Agenda designed by the United Nations and present in the public policies promoted by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda and by the Government of Spain.

Adif and Adif Alta Velocidad Sustainability Policy

The Boards of Directors of Adif and Adif AV have approved the Sustainability Policy of both entities, thus demonstrating the commitment of senior management to sustainability. This Policy is based on the Strategic Plan, which is part of the Sustainability pillar, with the aim of facilitating and directing the response of companies to the different environmental, social, operational and business challenges that we face, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the achievement of the objectives that must be achieved in terms of sustainable development.

In this way, aligning with the five criteria established by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and with the challenges set by the Spanish Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Policy establishes the following commitments:
 
  • Achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
  • Establish ambitious short- and medium-term environmental goals that contribute to the recovery of nature and biodiversity by 2050.
  • Integrate support for the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by implementing a Human Rights policy and due diligence process.
  • Integrate support for inclusion, equality, diversity and the elimination of any form of discrimination.
  • Operate with the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency, by disclosing material sustainability information and aligning business risk management with environmental, social and governance-related risks (ESG risks).

To ensure the implementation, development and dissemination of the Adif and Adif AV Sustainability Policy, a Sustainability Committee has been set up. This body will be responsible for ensuring compliance with these commitments, thus strengthening the governance model of both entities in terms of sustainability.

Forums on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability.

This groups together all Spanish entities affiliated with the United Nations Global Compact. It is the largest voluntary initiative for corporate social responsibility in the world.
A leading organization in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Representative of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in Spain.
High-level group where the top executives of 25 companies convey a message of business leadership in sustainability.
Through its various working committees (SDGs, Sustainability and Digitalization, Equality, Circular Economy), this organization aims to be a benchmark in the knowledge, analysis, innovation, design and development of CSR, promoting its integration into the strategy of organizations.

Environment and Sustainability

Through its activity, Adif tries to contribute to the constant improvement of the environment and socioeconomic well-being by incorporating the values that should guide its strategic decisions regarding its course of action and including them in its management model.
The vision, mission and values defined in Adif's 2030 Strategic Plan clearly state that all activities must be carried out with respect for the environment.

Two lines of action

Environmental Policy

The Environmental Policy develops the vision, mission and values of the company and constitutes the highest-level document regarding the environmental commitment of Adif and Adif Alta Velocidad. 

Environmental reports

All information on the environmental aspects and performance of the activities and services provided by Adif is published annually in the Environmental report.
This ensures that the requirement to report on environmental matters is fulfilled. The Environmental report follows the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

Comprehensive environmental management Main areas of action

According to the Management Assignment Agreement signed by Adif and Adif-AV, on July 9, 2019, and published in the BOE on August 8, 2019, the Assignment is granted to Adif-AV for the execution of activities of a material or technical nature necessary for the integral environmental management (Annex No. 1), as Corporate Environmental Body.

Social sustainability

For Adif, the social sustainability perspective lies in the contribution to the cohesion of society and the actions to improve the well-being carried out by the company both for the people who make up the company and for all citizens.  From the Corporate Responsibility that inspires the entire strategy, and as part of the contribution to Sustainability, Adif intends to generate a positive impact on society through projects and initiatives that add social value to our environment, taking into account the need to move towards a more inclusive, supportive and culturally rich social model.

Main areas of action

Governance

Title
Adif is committed to upstanding and transparent management that is responsible and efficient in terms of natural and economic resources. The good governance of the organization guarantees its responsible management, the pillars of which are to guarantee regulatory compliance, promote business ethics in the culture of the organization (with special emphasis on zero tolerance for corruption) and develop transparency in management.

Relevant aspects of good governance and transparency:
 

  • Corporate Model of Regulatory Compliance. Since 2009, Adif has had a Code of Ethics and Conduct approved by the Board of Directors, updated together with the rest of the policies and procedures implementing it in 2018 and 2019, taking into account legislative changes and the continuous improvement process of the Model. Access to the Ethics Channel
  • Corporate Anti-Fraud Policy. This applies to all members of the Board of Directors, Senior Management and in general, without exception and whatever their position, responsibility, occupation or geographic location, to all Adif employees. Institutional Declaration of the Fight Against Fraud
  • Comprehensive Risk Management Model. This enables the establishment of appropriate information channels that guarantee adequate communication to promote a culture of proactive risk management in all areas of the company, maintaining consistent risk levels. In the evolution of the corporate model, an analysis of the ESG components is being carried out as part of the review of the Entity's risk map. Adif Comprehensive Risk Management Policy

Non-Financial Information Statement - NFIS (included in the Management Report)

Since 2018, in application of Law 11/2018 on non-financial information and diversity, Adif has included non-financial information in the Management Report and subjects it to the same criteria for approval, deposit and publication as the annual accounts (March 30th). The purpose of this integration is to implement the most advanced trends in reporting and transparency, giving greater relevance to information on results and impact on society and the environment, thus complementing in a more balanced way the financial information that continues to be reflected in the Management report.

These documents are prepared under the reporting framework of Law 11/2018, as well as in accordance with the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative, GRI, in their respective updated annual versions (G4GRI). In addition, a correlation is established between the G4GRI standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which the Entity's activity impacts, thereby providing a global framework for organizations and Groups of Interest to assess their local, regional and global impact. Since 2020, according to Law 11/2018 on non-financial information and diversity, for the reliability of the information reported, external verification of the Non-Financial Information Statement included in the Management Report has been carried out by an independent third party (ISAE 3000 standard).

The ultimate goal of non-financial information is to create value for our stakeholders, hence the importance of reporting sustainability in the business field, based on transparency in terms of ESG issues that go beyond financial issues.
Includes:
  • Management Report (includes the Non-Financial Information Statement, NFIS) and Independent Verification Statement NFIS
  • Executive Summary of the EINF
  • Years prior to Law 11/2018 (2005-2018)
Available in our Transparency section:

Economic Sustainability

Integrated Management Report

As of 2017, Adif's corporate sustainable information has been included in the Management Report, which is part of the Annual Accounts approved and audited in each financial year; prior to 2017, there was a Sustainability Report that was independent from the Management Report. 

The entry into force of Law 11/2018 standardized the type of information to be included in the Non-Financial Information Statement (NFIS), which broadens the knowledge of the evolution and economic performance of the Entity based on the impact on its activity with respect to ESG issues.

Contact
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability