CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Sustainability
As a Signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, TYPSA Group aligns its operations and strategies with the ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, the application of labour regulations, respect for the environment and the fight against corruption. We are particularly aware of our role in achieving Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“Contributing to Sustainable Development is a challenge for all. The UN has recognised the fundamental role of business; we are firmly committed through our work, the solutions we develop and the corporate practices we adopt”
Our contribution to the SDGs
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Our commitment
Ensure our people in Spain and abroad are safe, healthy and continue to work during health crises such as the one caused by the COVID-19 virus.
Our focus
Strengthen our in-house OHS service and develop technology modernisation plans that provide security and privacy guarantees for digital transformation.
Our resources
The in-house OHS service and the Information Communications Technology (ICT) Department. Since 2016, the ICT department has implemented two technology modernisation plans to drive the company’s digital transformation process.
Targets
Implement a telework action plan during the state of alarm and phased de-escalation plan to gradually adapt to the new situation. Deploy the technological systems, material resources and training necessary to organise work from home and provide an immediate response to the lockdown rules and mobility restrictions imposed by the authorities during the health crisis.
Achievements
91% of the workforce in Spain was working from home within 48 hours of lockdown being announced. The measures introduced in the offices in Spain were applied at international offices, offering distance training and support. Crisis management experiences were shared through multicentre coordination, promoting preventive measures in all offices.
QUALITY EDUCATION
Our commitment
Promote technical education in developing countries.
Our focus
Construction of the Lac Albert University (UNILAC) in Mahagi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, for civil engineering and agricultural engineering studies.
Our resources
The TYPSA Foundation for Development, created 12 years ago. Financed by monetary and other donations from TYPSA Group which together amount to 0.7% of the profit. TYPSA group employees and other institutions also give donations to the Foundation. A collaboration agreement with the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) has been in place since 2018 to enhance economic and educational aspects.
Targets
Train young people in engineering. Provide tools for business start-ups that favour economic growth in the region and discourage talent emigration.
Achievements
A substantial increase in the number of students enrolled in UNILAC’s technical faculties, from 29 in 2017/2018, to 115 in 2018/2019, and to 147 in 2019/2020. This was due to TYPSA Foundation’s contribution of 50% of the tuition fees and to improvements in teaching quality at UNILAC through incentive programmes for teaching staff. Permanent UNILAC internet access via satellite. UPM launched the Student and Teacher Mobility Programme, enabling lecturers and students to travel to Mahagi over the next three years for academic purposes within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme financed by the European Union.
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
Our commitment
Improve quality of life through our services in the ‘Water’ sector. Water engineering is one of TYPSA’s 4 business areas and generates 20% of our annual revenue.
Our focus
Support national and local authorities, both in Spain and internationally, in integrated water resources management to ensure appropriate water quantity, quality, access and availability.
Our resources
Our highly qualified staff, and the resources required to identify needs and provide the best services. We are developing innovative in-house methodologies, introducing climate change forecasts to mitigate the risks associated with extreme weather events.
Targets
Strengthen our teams, technologies and partnerships to respond to the main challenges of drinking water supply and sanitation, with a special focus on Brazil and Peru.
Achievements
ALF. An app developed for the Local Analysis of Precipitation Frequencies (ALF initials in Spanish). The app enhances rainfall analysis for plans and designs, particularly during extreme episodes, and makes calculations in accordance with World Meteorological Organisation guidelines and recommendations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other international organisations.
AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
Our commitment
Renewable energy only as our energy generation business line.
Our focus
Action in emerging markets or developing countries where there is a huge need and growth potential.
Our resources
Our specialist wind, solar, hydroelectric, and marine energy teams.
Targets
Develop major projects that contribute to the technological development of renewable energy in countries in Africa, the Americas and Asia.
Achievements
PVGRAd technology. A novel software for grading and structural optimisation of photovoltaic solar power plants to increase resilience to extreme phenomena. This technology is replicable in environments that are highly vulnerable to natural disasters. In 2019 PVGRAd was awarded one of the Arizona State University Sustainable Infrastructure Awards. We have introduced a new innovation line to contribute to the development of renewable marine energy. TYPSA is participating in the MAESTRALE project, co-financed by the European Interreg MED Programme and coordinated by the Ecodynamics Group of the University of Siena (Italy). The project studies the possible implementation of marine renewable energy technologies in the Mediterranean.
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Our commitment
Achieve sustainable, resilient and quality infrastructure.
Our focus
Constantly improve methodologies, applications and tools, fostering technology, innovation and research.
Our resources
Our position as a leading engineering firm in infrastructure development. Our systems and teams.
Targets
Every year the R&D Committee analyses proposals, negotiates agreements and determines which actions to develop.
Achievements
The TYPSA Catalogue of structural element LOD (Level of Development) data sheets with written descriptions and images to define the scope of BIM projects. This project introduces a new focus on the structural elements of road, railway and metro infrastructure and civil works in general, helping to reduce the uncertainty, errors and misunderstandings that arise when the scope of engineering services is not properly defined. The results can be seen in cost and time savings, as well as more efficient investment in this type of infrastructure.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
Our commitment
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Our focus
Support local councils, municipalities and public companies to plan cities with an integrated and holistic approach, based on four main drivers: mobility and transport, water and sanitation, renewable and efficient energy, and buildings.
Our resources
We help create and transform urban space through three specific business areas: Buildings and Cities, Water and Sanitation, and Transport Planning.
Targets
Ensure our teams have the necessary technical skills to be able to apply sustainability values to each of these drivers, introducing environmental, social and economic considerations in our solutions.
Achievements
Virtual reality consolidated as a commonly used tool in urban infrastructure and building design, focusing on demonstration applications that aim to improve sustainability and resilience. For example, in metro stations, we analysed functional aspects in ordinary situations and fire evacuation processes.
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Our commitment
Contribute through our actions to the improvement of the environment, water quality and recycling.
Our focus
Form alliances for innovation with Universities and Technology Centres to achieve a greater impact.
Our resources
TYPSA and the EURECAT Technology Centre collaborate on research projects to develop specific applications and solutions that improve water quality and protect the environment.
Targets
Work more closely with EURECAT, focusing on the circular economy through European research projects investigating industrial wastewater treatment and the reuse of organic and inorganic compounds of value to other industries. Pilot projects demonstrate the effectiveness of processes, which once proved to be successful in an actual plant, are assessed for replicability at national and European levels.
Achievements
One of the most important projects under development within this partnership framework is SOLIEVA, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of membrane technology for the treatment of wastewater from table olive production processes. The new technology shows that the process can generate clean water, while organic waste can be reused in the food and pharmaceutical industries. A pilot plant is being put into operation in Seville for short-term validation of the technical, environmental and economic soundness of this innovative solution.
CLIMATE ACTION
Our commitment
Improve decision-making on infrastructure development in the planning phase, introducing climate change resilience and adaptation.
Our focus
Support water resource planning and infrastructure decisions to manage the Whole Water Cycle.
Our resources
Our Water Engineering department provides planning and design solutions in the various countries where we work, incorporating global knowledge and adapting it to local conditions.
Targets
Incorporate a Decision Tree Framework (DTF) when planning climate change resilient water infrastructure.
Achievements
The methodology introduces model uncertainty into climate statistics to enable public water authorities to make decisions with a bottom-up approach. Decisions are made in phases and are accompanied by public participation processes to validate the alternatives proposed with the stakeholders. This methodology has been successfully used in the water sector in Peru and has been transferred to flood prevention studies in Spain.
PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Our commitment
Lead the way in integrity and the fight against corruption in the engineering and construction industry.
Our focus
Steer our activity toward markets where tender documents include integrity criteria and transparency as a requirement or a positively valued practice.
Our resources
Our Integrity Management System implemented in Spain and in subsidiaries and branches in more than 30 countries.
Targets
Certify our Integrity Management Systems.
Achievements
AENOR Certification of our Anti-Bribery System in accordance with ISO 37001:2016. This certification is an important milestone in Integrity Management System implementation, as it ensures all management areas are informed and committed to the prevention of such criminal practices.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Our commitment
Collaborate with other stakeholders to make progress in sustainable development.
Our focus
Collaborate with universities and research centres to progress in technological innovation in business areas related to Sustainable Development Goals.
Our resources
The R&D Management System procedures and resources, and in general the capabilities acquired for collaborative work.
Targets
Strengthen our strategic partnership with EURECAT, the major Technology Centre of Catalonia, in Spain, to develop circular economy, water treatment and waste management R&D projects together.
Achievements
TYPSA and EURECAT consolidated a strong partnership in 2019, as a result of significant progress in two multi-year European circular economy research projects: ZERO BRINE (Horizon 2020 Programme) to facilitate the implementation of the circular economy package and the SPIRE Roadmap in various process industries; and SOLIEVA (LIFE+ Programme) to demonstrate the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of membrane technology, to meet the environmental wastewater treatment challenges of the table olive industry.