CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Sustainable Development Goals
TYPSA contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its policies and management systems, its business areas, and the TYPSA Foundation for Development. We are making progress towards the 2030 Agenda through the knowledge and innovation, good business practices and social action of a leading engineering firm, strengthened by the creation of partnerships to bolster sustainability.
‘Contributing to Sustainable Development is a challenge for us 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
QUALITY EDUCATION
Targets we work towards
Target 4.3. By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
Target 4.4. By 2030, substantially increase the number of young people and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
Our commitment
Promote technical education in developing countries.
Achievements
This year, the TYPSA Foundation for Development has continued to significantly promote the development of the Lago Alberto University (UNILAC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main advances have been the following:
- Increase in the number of scholarships granted in all faculties.
- Construction of a teacher residence to attract qualified teachers from other regions of the country. Continuation of premiums for teachers residing in Mahagi to ensure their permanence in UNILAC.
- Installation of a server and a computer network, with permanent highspeed internet access service.
- Elaboration of a Quality Plan to ensure the proper management of the facilities.
- European mobility programme of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) for students and teachers of UNILAC (Erasmus+).
After the visit from representatives of the TYPSA Foundation for Development and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, in June 2022, the commitments of the Foundation and UPM with UNILAC have been renewed, including the signing of a new tripartite agreement that will turn UNILAC into a prestigious university in the Ituri region.
Good Business Practice 2019: Supporting Education in Africa
TYPSA Foundation for Development reflects the company's sensitivity to the challenges of the African continent and to its commitment to providing development opportunities through education that contribute to the well-being of future generations. The launch of UNILAC University is the company's most sustainable project, conceived to train young Africans in disciplines that will enable them to develop business initiatives locally and discourage talent migration.
Indicator trends:
| UNILAC University, Mahagi (DRC) | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
Number of students | 343 | 368 | 416 |
Number of scholarships | 171 | 163 | 225 |
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
Targets we work towards
Target 6.3. By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
Target 6.4. By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
Target 6.5. By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
Our commitment
Contribute to improving water availability, management and quality, as well as reducing the risks associated with extreme events in the countries in which we operate.
Achievements
TYPSA has continued its efforts in the digitalisation of the water sector to support public administrations in improving efficiency in the management and analysis of aspects related to the life cycle of water infrastructures.
The most important technological commitment is in the expanded use of BIM and GIS tools. This year, the HYDROGIS project has been developed, which has allowed the GIS tools to be adapted to a free softwarebased work environment. Additionally, the IN-BIM-GIS project has begun, designed to take advantage of the great benefits offered by the combined use of both methodologies.
Collaboration with Group companies to develop digital services is being encouraged. This year, we have collaborated with RAUROS to develop iCANAL, a new infrastructure management support system for the Navarra Canal, which unifies new functionalities in a single central core to facilitate the operator’s work. allowing the automation of inspection tasks and their subsequent diagnosis to optimise management.
In addition, capacities in the water sector are being strengthened, mainly in the areas of digitisation and risk management. In particular, TYPSA has committed to expanding technical capabilities in dam safety inspections and risk analysis methodologies, currently intervening in more than 300 dams in Spain. In this area, collaboration has been initiated with the Spanish Committee of Large Dams (SPANCOLD) to analyse the determinations on reservoirs contained in the documents of the third cycle of hydrological planning in the hydrographic demarcations of Spain until 2027. New capabilities have also been incorporated for multicriteria assessment (environmental, social, economic) based on new tools for statistical analysis of extreme events. This contribution will allow administrations to implement urgent corrective measures through the fast track modality, dividing the actions by sections or prioritised sections depending on the risks they mitigate.
Good Business Practice 2021: Analysis and early warning systems to improve water quality
TYPSA has strengthened the analytical capabilities and tools of its environmental laboratories in Madrid, Seville and Murcia. Labs are now better prepared to support water authorities and regional governments in addressing increasing environmental challenges and applying more stringent water quality regulations. In 2020, the company increased the number of laboratory staff by 25% and bolstered training. A data processing and early warning system was developed to detect regulatory parametric value noncompliance immediately. In 2020, the laboratories performed 517,656 tests and renewed their ISO 17025 certification.
Indicator trends:
| Teams |
2019 |
2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|
Number of people trained in BIM in the water sector |
28 |
43 |
48 |
57 |
|
Number of people specialised in the management of dam safety and risk analysis projects |
9 | 13 |
23 |
40 |
AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
Targets we work towards
Target 7.2. By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Our commitment
Back renewable and clean energy as energy generation business lines.
Achievements
The technological commitment to offshore wind energy production systems continues, delving deeper into the challenges of design and implementation of offshore wind farms. This includes both those in shallow waters as well as those that rely on floating platforms to support the wind turbines and their support pillars. As way of example, the great experience acquired in the European R&D project DemoGravi3 has been continued, with new methodologies to improve the design and marine operations through a pilot project on the coasts of Normandy (France).
In the field of marine renewable energies, new wave simulation capabilities are being acquired through the use of complex simulation tools. This year, a pilot project has been developed in the Port of Valencia for the use of wave energy within the framework of the European R&D Matchup project. The concept belongs to the company Rotary Waves while TYPSA has overseen the design.
In addition, improvements are ongoing regarding the technological tools that play a role in the deployment of solar energy. Through collaboration with the Group company, AZTEC, the functionalities of the PVGRAd platform have been improved to optimise the design of photovoltaic solar plants, adding a simulation module that allows developers a more accurate evaluation of the returns on their investment.
Good Business Practice 2020: PV GRAD: the technology that optimises the design of solar photovoltaic plants
PV GRAD technology requires up to 15 times less earth to be moved and compacted compared to a traditional solar plant design, resulting in a substantial reduction in construction costs and an increase in overall profitability of around 5%. CO2 emissions are 10 to 15 times lower since less heavy machinery is used in the construction phase, which facilitates access to green financing on more advantageous terms. Higher profitability attracts more investment in this type of infrastructure project, and consequently more solar energy in the energy mix.
Indicator trends:
| Renewable energy activity |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Number of renewables innovation projects |
8 |
10 |
7 |
|
Renewable energy we design and install (in MW) |
6,800 |
21,757 |
44,195 |
DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Targets we work towards
Target 8.2. Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
Target 8.5. By 2030 achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
Target 8.7. Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
Our commitment
Ensure respect for human rights, ethical corporate behaviour, integrity and equality, diversity and inclusion in TYPSA and its supply chain.
Achievements
TYPSA continues to make progress in the analysis, management and mitigation of risks associated with its activity and that of its subcontractors. In particular, the following improvements to its Management and Compliance Systems have been introduced:
- Update of the due diligence form that includes a commitment to compliance on integrity, equality, labour standards and human rights.
- Review of the company’s risk map and adoption of the corresponding prevention and control measures.
- Incorporation in the supplier audit system of a section where the due diligence performed is documented.
Good Business Practice 2019: Branches and subsidiaries opened to be close to our clients
TYPSA’s bet on international office development involves a commitment to its employees worldwide. Satisfactory working conditions are assured by hiring local staff under appropriate terms of employment, providing training, facilitating integration into collaborative working platforms, paying local taxes and ensuring occupational health and safety in accordance with international standards and other applicable labour laws. TYPSA is continuously improving its Quality, Environment and Health and Safety Management System (QHSE), making sure it is in place in the Group’s countries of operation to achieve the necessary certifications.
Good Business Practice 2021: Respect for human rights and integrity across the value chain
TYPSA’s mandatory subcontractor and partner due diligence is now a global requirement with a specific section on human rights, aligning the Integrity System and Integrated Management System with the principle of respect for human rights. Modifications to the model subcontract have introduced specific clauses on complying with the Code of Ethics, the integrity policy, the equality, diversity and inclusion statement and the modern slavery and human trafficking statement. New business integrity and ethics requirements have enhanced the subcontractor audit system.
Indicator trends:
| Follow-up on supplier contracts |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
| Percentage of contracts that explicitly accept our Code of Ethics |
71% |
75% |
85% |
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Targets we work towards
Target 9.1. Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
Our commitment
Foster innovation and digitalisation to improve the productivity, efficiency, security and sustainability of our services.
Achievements
This year we have continued to drive innovation in the development of digital services. The TYPSA Digital Accelerator (ADT) already has a stable core of 16 specialists together with multiple collaborators, having worked on 113 digitisation projects and developed 59% of its production for external customers. A group of experts has been formed specialised in combining BIM models with video game programming engines for the construction of digital twins with a better visualisation in real time. In parallel, the Software Development Department increased its production in 2022, specialising in solutions for corporate processes and strategic applications of the group such as TYPSA-BIM-PM.
Additionally, decision-making support systems are being adapted to the requirements of the countries in which we operate, to increase effectiveness and impact. As an example of this, RAUROS is adapting its ICARO digital road management platform to the Mexican regulations, to facilitate its deployment as a support tool for operation and maintenance decision-making, as well as for the corresponding conservation plans.
Good Business Practice 2019: CIVIL BIM
TYPSA has worked hard to consolidate the use of BIM in infrastructure design. In 2018, TYPSA BIM Group was created to develop process mapping for the systematic application of ‘BIM dimensions’. This concerted effort has earned it ISO 19650 1/2 Certification for ‘Information Management using BIM’ and international recognition such as Bentley’s ‘Year in Infrastructure 2018’ going digital award in the UK for advancements in rail and transit infrastructure and its innovative BIM approach, for the HS2 high-speed project (lots S1 and S2) linking London with Manchester and Leeds.
Good Business Practice 2021: Training and digital acceleration to drive innovation
TYPSA’s innovation system (R&D) is Spanish standard UNE certified; the BIM methodology implementation strategy to manage information throughout the life cycle is ISO 19650 certified; and information security is ISO 27001 certified, making TYPSA the first Spanish engineering company to achieve the technological triad. The TYPSA Digital Hub, an internal platform for technological outreach, and the TYPSA Digital Accelerator (ADT), have been created to boost digitalisation, speed up the technological development of innovative solutions and improve the performance of existing ones. In 2021, the third edition of the series of webinars on digitalisation and innovation known as TYPSA Digital Talks was held for the entire Group. More than 250 people connected.
Indicator trends:
| Innovation projects |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
| Number of new R&D projects approved |
11 |
13 |
17 |
16 |
|
Number of Digital Accelerator requests completed |
– |
– |
23 |
47 |
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
Targets we work towards
Target 11.2. By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
Target 11.3. By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanisation and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
Our commitment
Our services and capabilities contribute to making cities and settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Achievements
TYPSA is committed to the development of new urban mobility planning tools, ensuring optimal integration of pedestrians and vehicles. Methodologies are being generated for the combined analysis of mobility simulations, to provide the authorities with a holistic interpretation in the spaces of coexistence and investment decision making.
TYPSA is also driving improved accessibility to public buildings and stations. In addition to having virtual reality applications that evaluate and audit accessibility conditions and evacuations in emergency situations, an application for both web and mobile interfaces is being designed with the aim of facilitating technical evaluations of accessibility.
Likewise, continued contribution to the deployment of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), is provided through the Group company Green Blue Management (GBM). New specific design and calculation programmes have been incorporated and a GIS tool has been generated for the selection of optimal sites for SUDS implementation. Work has also been carried out with various municipalities in Spain to develop SUDS strategies and municipal technical guides.
Good Business Practice 2019: Sustainable Urban Drainage: GBM
TYPSA has incorporated a Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) start-up into the Group. SuDS offer nature-based solutions that leverage urban soil properties to collect and retain rainwater where it falls. They replicate natural catchment response, helping to strengthen water governance principles that enhance water-body integrity, protecting against floods and droughts, adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts, reducing energy consumption in the urban water cycle, and providing ecosystem services and ecological connectivity and restoration.
Good Business Practice 2021: Strategy for sustainable mobility led by Madrid’s public transport system
TYPSA has signed a Collaboration Protocol with the Madrid Regional Transport Consortium (CRTM) to jointly promote innovation projects in mobility, intelligent transport planning and management, energy sustainability and universal accessibility. As a result, a study was conducted to define a strategic framework and governance models for implementing a Mobility as a Service System (MaaS) in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Following a consultation process with public and private transport operators and a benchmarking analysis with the participation of 12 cities, TYPSA’s proposal, which includes an app, a payment management system and its own payment gateway, is now being considered for the definition of the CRTM mobility strategy.
Indicator trends:
| Sustainable urban infrastructure improvement capabilities |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Number of sustainable city and infrastructure R&D projects |
15 |
14 |
16 |
17 |
|
Number of people working exclusively on SUDS |
3 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Targets we work towards
Target 12.2. By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
Target 12.5. By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
Our commitment
Leverage our services and capabilities to help extend the useful life of built assets and encourage the use of resilient and low-emission building materials and techniques.
Achievements
As a practical application of digital twins in the optimisation of asset usage, TYPSA is applying sensorisation in the digital twin of its corporate headquarters. Through two innovation projects, the sensorisation of the building is being optimised to link it to a digital platform that allows decisions on energy efficiency, user comfort level, predictive maintenance, and consumption and waste management. Additionally, the sensorisation of parking spaces has been associated with a digital IoT platform to manage parking efficiently, optimising the use of spaces and reducing emissions and congestion associated with the search for parking.
Good Business Practice 2020: Innovation in industrial wastewater treatment and components reuse
TYPSA collaborates in the circular economy with EURECAT Technology Centre in Catalonia, through European research projects on industrial wastewater treatment and the reuse of organic and inorganic compounds valuable to other industries. One of the most important projects is SOLIEVA, which demonstrates the feasibility of membrane technology applied to the treatment of effluents from processed table olive production. The new technology shows that clean process water can be generated, and organic waste can be reused in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Good Business Practice 2021:Using less carbon-intensive building materials
The incorporation of the Technical Institute of Materials and Construction (INTEMAC) into the Group in 2018, has strengthened TYPSA’s knowledge and capability for analysis and monitoring and for assessing the durability, environmental performance and resilience of building materials and structures. INTEMAC has a high-profile construction materials laboratory that collaborates with Government agencies and the cement sector in defining the standards that will allow new cements with a lower carbon footprint to enter the market, which could lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 20% by 2025. Since 2020, TYPSA and INTEMAC have been working closely to promote the use of less carbon-intensive materials in TYPSA projects and in the engineering sector.
Indicator trends:
| Infrastructure damage analysis | 2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
R&D projects in IoT and sensorisation |
1 | 2 | 3 |
CLIMATE ACTION
Targets we work towards
Target 13.1. Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climaterelated hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
Target 13.3. Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
Our commitment
Incorporate climate change mitigation and adaptation into our infrastructure, energy and city planning and design solutions.
Achievements
Within the framework of TYPSA’s Sustainability Action Plan, general training on sustainability was carried out this year, through the digital platform TYPSA Learning. Furthermore, obtaining sustainability certifications has been actively encouraged in the Group, adding 17 professionals with the Envision accreditation for sustainable infrastructure, 6 with the BREEAM Infrastructure accreditation and 23 with the first BREEAM Associate qualification.
A first version of the Basic Guide for Sustainable Design has been published with the main concepts associated with sustainability in infrastructures and buildings, especially those related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This Basic Guide provides the context and common language to use, as well as the most representative methodologies.
Moreover, TYPSA Group has become a member of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), whose headquarters is located in Washington DC (USA), and is responsible for Envision accreditation. With this partnership, TYPSA increases its commitment to sustainability and reinforces its position as a reference in the design of greener, more digital, and inclusive infrastructures in the USA, Spain and in their countries of operation.
Continuing this momentum, TYPSA has taken on a person to lead and coordinate the technical aspects of sustainability and develop the Sustainable Design Guide.
Good Business Practice 2020: Designing less carbon-intensive infrastructure
In order to promote and project less carbon-intensive design, a digital twin of the corporate head office in San Sebastian de los Reyes (Madrid) was generated using BIM, making it possible to simulate alternatives that improve CO2 emissions from the operation and maintenance of the building. After this first phase, the alternatives will be applied to civil infrastructure in Spain. Finally, a methodology for both buildings and infrastructure will be defined and disseminated for use in sustainability advisory, capacity building and training services.
Good Business Practice 2019: Planning climate change resilient infrastructure
The methodology incorporates ‘uncertainty models’ based on climate statistics accompanied by public participation processes to enable optimum decision-making. The result is a robust design that allows government bodies to make the right decisions for infrastructure development from an environmental, social and economic point of view after considering different climate scenarios and assigning probabilities to meet stakeholder levels of acceptance.
Indicator trends:
| Specialised technical training courses |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
People with professional sustainability qualifications (Envision, Leed, Breeam, etc.) |
4 |
6 |
46 |
PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Targets we work towards
Target 16.5. Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
Our commitment
Lead the way in integrity and the fight against corruption in the engineering and construction industry.
Achievements
TYPSA’s commitment to integrity and the fight against corruption continued to be reinforced in 2022 with the following actions:
- Renewal of the ISO 37001 Certificate for Anti-Bribery Management Systems for a new three-year period.
- Improvement of operational procedures such as updating the due diligence form to partner companies in bidding processes and adoption of a simplified sub-contract model for independent experts.
- Improvement of internal control tools through the incorporation of an exemption section in the self-assessment system for more effective control of employees pending integrity training.
- Significant advances in the implementation of the integrity management system in the controlled entities of the Group.
Good Business Practice 2019: Anti-Bribery System Certification
The most important part of TYPSA's Integrity Management System is the Anti-Bribery Management System, which has been ISO 37001:2016 certified by AENOR since 2019. 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. The Anti-Bribery Management System helps the organisation to prevent, detect and manage possible bribery behaviours appropriately, creating a culture of transparency and good governance with the support of computer applications that enhance information and transparency.
Indicator trends:
| Average anti-corruption system self-assessment score (in % correct answers) | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Assessment for directors | 85.6% | 89.7% | 90.1% | 92.6% |
Assessment for staff | 85.9% | 86.9% | 90.6% | 95.8% |
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Targets we work towards
Target 17.17. Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
Our commitment
Promote technical education in developing countries.
Achievements
This year, the TYPSA Foundation for Development has continued to significantly promote the development of the Lago Alberto University (UNILAC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main advances have been the following:
- Increase in the number of scholarships granted in all faculties.
- Construction of a teacher residence to attract qualified teachers from other regions of the country. Continuation of premiums for teachers residing in Mahagi to ensure their permanence in UNILAC.
- Installation of a server and a computer network, with permanent highspeed internet access service.
- Elaboration of a Quality Plan to ensure the proper management of the facilities.
- European mobility programme of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) for students and teachers of UNILAC (Erasmus+).
After the visit from representatives of the TYPSA Foundation for Development and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, in June 2022, the commitments of the Foundation and UPM with UNILAC have been renewed, including the signing of a new tripartite agreement that will turn UNILAC into a prestigious university in the Ituri region.
Good Business Practice 2019: Supporting Education in Africa
TYPSA Foundation for Development reflects the company's sensitivity to the challenges of the African continent and to its commitment to providing development opportunities through education that contribute to the well-being of future generations. The launch of UNILAC University is the company's most sustainable project, conceived to train young Africans in disciplines that will enable them to develop business initiatives locally and discourage talent migration.
Indicator trends:
| UNILAC University, Mahagi (DRC) | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
Number of students | 343 | 368 | 416 |
Number of scholarships | 171 | 163 | 225 |