A Commitment to the Environment
Agbar, one of the leaders in comprehensive water management, has embarked on an ambitious project to decarbonize its operations and achieve climate neutrality. Since 2022, the company has managed to reduce its CO2 emissions by almost 5,000 tons, an amount that is equivalent to the carbon absorption of 8,800 Mediterranean trees or the emissions generated by the electricity consumption of 5,319 homes.
The International Day Against Climate Change
Every October 24, the world mobilizes to raise awareness of the adverse effects of climate change caused by human activities. Recent decades have witnessed an alarming increase in greenhouse gases, which have contributed to global warming and climate destabilization. Phenomena such as rising temperatures, rising sea levels, polar ice melt and extreme weather events, including fires and floods, are just some of the visible signs of this problem.
Innovations in Renewable Energy
To face these challenges, Agbar has implemented innovative solutions such as cogeneration and photovoltaic solar energy. These initiatives seek to minimize the emissions generated during water treatment processes through energy self-production. With a model focused on the circular economy, the company transforms waste into resources, taking advantage of the biogas generated in purification plants to produce electrical and thermal energy.
Concrete Projects
For example, in Sabadell, the Riu Ripoll wastewater plant obtains up to 75% of its energy from renewable sources thanks to its cogeneration plant and solar production. In Tarragona, the port’s cogeneration plant manages to self-supply 90% of its energy needs, thus avoiding the emission of 724 tons of CO2 annually. In Pineda, the installation of the cogeneration plant has allowed a significant increase in energy production, which can now be completely self-sufficient.
Positive Results and Sustainable Future
In total, Agbar has generated 11.8 million kWh of electrical energy in Catalonia from renewable sources during 2023, contributing to the reduction of 3,068 tons of CO2. In addition, the company has added 13 new photovoltaic installations, thus increasing its green energy generation capacity.
The Future of Mobility
Sustainability is not limited to energy production. Agbar is also in the process of introducing electric vehicles to its fleet, with the aim of reducing emissions by 292 tonnes of CO2 per year from 2024.
Alliances for a Common Future
Innovation and technology are key in the fight against climate change. However, the success of these initiatives depends on strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. Only by working together can we tackle global challenges and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.