On October 17, 2024, the conference 'Sustainability in Valencian Local Corporations' was held at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, an event promoted by the Master in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the UPV and the Chair of Business and Humanism of the University of Valencia. This conference brought together experts in sustainable data, public managers and representatives of the business world, divided into two parts: an opening presentation by Tomás González-Cruz, director of the chair, and a round table that addressed different perspectives of sustainability in local corporations.
CEiH and sustainable companies
The event started with the presentation of Thomas Gonzalez-Cruz, who offered a comprehensive overview of the work carried out by the Chair of Business and Humanism, highlighting the central role that sustainability plays in the competitiveness of companies. González-Cruz emphasized that "the sustainability of companies goes hand in hand with competitiveness," stating that companies that do not adopt sustainable practices are at a disadvantage when accessing financing and investments, a key factor in the current economic landscape.
He also talked about the record SIR (Valencian Socially Responsible Entity Registry Service), a resource that supports companies in managing and certifying their sustainable practices. González-Cruz noted that sustainability poses numerous dilemmas, especially when companies try to balance economic, social and environmental demands. In addition, she introduced the free tool 'Report for Good', which makes it easier for companies to prepare their sustainability reports, helping them meet expectations of transparency and accountability.
Roundtable on sustainability in local corporations
The second half of the day was marked by a round table that brought together leading figures in the field of sustainability in local corporations. The debate, entitled 'Different perspectives on sustainability in Valencian local corporations', was moderated by Guadalupe Orea, professor at the UPV and coordinator of the Master in CSR at the same university. The panellists included:
● Jesús Valero, head of the Valencian Socially Responsible Entities Registry Service (SIR) of the Generalitat Valenciana.
● Inmaculada Luz Collado, president of the Spanish Association of Public Administration Managers (AEGAP).
● Modesto Martínez, deputy secretary of the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FVMP).
● Marc Agliata, founding partner of Agliata RSCompany, who offered a business perspective.
During the round table, Jesús Valero shared details about the functioning of the SIR registry and its importance in promoting social responsibility among Valencian companies. He explained how this tool is designed to facilitate the access of entities to financing resources that value sustainability as a key criterion.
Immaculate Light Collado He brought in a public management perspective, stressing the need for local administrations to integrate sustainable policies into their daily operations. He stated that public managers have a crucial role in ensuring that sustainability is not just a discourse, but a structural practice in administrative processes.
Modesto Martinez, representing the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, highlighted the efforts that local entities are making to adapt to the regulations and challenges presented by sustainability. He stressed inter-municipal collaboration as key to carrying out projects with greater impact.
Finally, Marc Agliata, Drawing on his business experience, he spoke about how companies can and should align themselves with sustainability goals. He stressed that adopting responsible practices is not only an ethical obligation, but a long-term competitive advantage, which benefits not only the company, but also the community and the environment in which it operates.
The day concluded with a lively debate in which participants were able to ask questions and reflect on the challenges and opportunities of sustainability at the local level. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as the need for tools that facilitate the implementation of sustainable strategies, was one of the most notable conclusions.
This event was a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of sustainability not only as a moral and environmental imperative, but as a fundamental pillar for competitiveness and economic development in Valencian local corporations. Without a doubt, initiatives such as this event are essential to continue promoting the transformation towards a more responsible and sustainable model.
Photographs: Kike Taberner
