In recent years, the “green economy” has become more prominent in the various segments of our economy. Therefore, it’s important to consider what role a company such as Ferrovial can play in this area.
The green economy could be defined broadly as encompassing all activities and sectors that contribute to reducing humanity’s impact on the planet and to significantly diminishing environmental risks.
They include activities aimed at correcting pollution (water treatment, waste management, etc.) or advancing towards a low carbon economy. This sector, which could be described as “contra-cyclical”, also encompasses preserving biodiversity and contributing to greater efficiency in industry.
For example, of the investments made under the US 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan, the “green economy” accounted for over 15%: more than 465 billion dollars. Another data point: in the midst of the financial crisis, firms in the MSCI index devoted to “green” activities increased revenues by over 1.6% per year on average.
The “green economy” also has considerable growth potential. In order to fulfil their commitments to reducing emissions, the developed countries will have to invest 300-500 billion dollars per year. Worldwide, those commitments will translate into investments in new technologies as well as infrastructure and services that contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
What can our company do to expand the “green economy”?
We in Ferrovial accept resource scarcity and the search for efficiency as basic premises for working to be more “eco-efficient”. Our four big business areas—toll roads, construction, services, and airports—are attaching ever more importance to this approach.
Significant progress has been made in the area of energy services and smart city development and planning; but construction and infrastructure are also working on activities that fall entirely within the definition of the “green economy”. Our emerging projects include the SmartForest approach to managing privately-owned forests. Additionally, the initiatives to refurbish buildings to standards of energy efficiency and emission reduction represent a sizeable part of our new commitments in construction.
The “green” segments of the economy appear to have a bright future ahead of them. The question is: how can Ferrovial seize the opportunities that this market offers now and will offer in the future?
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