Sustainability as a Driver of Economic and Social Transformation in Alicante

Challenges in sustainability can also present significant opportunities for social and economic transformation in the province of Alicante. Under these premises, the Business Union of the Province of Alicante (UEPAL) organised the conference 'The Impact of Sustainability on the Economy of the Province of Alicante' this Wednesday.

The forum featured representatives from Cubierta Solar, Greene Enterprise, Aguas de Alicante, and Banco Sabadell, and was attended by the Deputy for Economic Development and European Projects, Carlos Pastor. Uepal's president, César Quintanilla, opened the forum by stating that "sustainability has ceased to be a trend and has become a structural necessity, both in businesses and society. This is why forums like today's are so important: they help us advance a shared vision and accelerate the transition towards a more just, responsible, and competitive economic model."

"Sustainability has many facets. One of them is the responsible management of natural resources, which is not only key to preserving the environment but can also generate new business opportunities and wealth. In fact, many companies are already finding new lines of activity precisely because of their commitment to sustainability. However, we cannot talk about sustainability without economic sustainability. Companies need a stable and viable environment to continue investing in cleaner processes, innovation, and social impact. Sustainability and profitability must go hand in hand," advocated the president of UEPAL.

During the round table, moderated by journalist Lola Torrent, the representatives of the participating entities addressed current challenges in sustainability and shared best practices that demonstrate change is already underway.

All attendees agreed that transparency is crucial in sustainability matters and that the environment must be conducive to it. Therefore, they advocated for the need for aligned legislation and support for smaller companies to invest in sustainability.

Sergio López, General Director of Cubierta Solar, explained how the Alicante-based company, with over 15 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, has established itself as a leader in industrial photovoltaic installations. "In recent years, we have strongly committed to energy storage, especially the development of batteries, which we consider key in the next stage of the energy transition," he noted. López also highlighted the expansion into new models such as PPA contracts (long-term energy purchase agreements), which allow companies to access clean energy without initial investment. "We want to facilitate access to renewable energy, reduce energy dependence, and democratise its use in the industrial fabric," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Sergio Sánchez, General Director of Aguas de Alicante, defended the role of public companies in protecting natural resources and ensuring equitable access to water, a common, scarce, and necessary good managed by Aguas de Alicante for over 100 years. On the importance of sustainability, he commented that "sustainability is an unavoidable challenge that requires investments and closeness to the citizen."

Cristina Pérez Moreno, Director of Sustainability at Greene Enterprise, emphasised the need to understand sustainability as an integral strategy encompassing both environmental and social aspects. "There can be no environmental sustainability without social sustainability. Both dimensions must advance together, with real impact on the territory," she stated.

Greene, a technology company based in Elche, specialises in waste valorisation through proprietary technologies that transform waste into energy and raw materials, advocating for a circular economy model. "Our commitment is twofold: to help industries reduce their environmental impact and generate local development by creating jobs in the areas where we operate," she explained.

From the financial sector, José Fuster, Director of Sustainable Finance and Next Generation at Banco Sabadell, outlined the role of banks as key players in the ecological transition. "As a sustainable entity, we work on four lines: becoming more sustainable in our own operations; supporting our clients in their transition towards more responsible production models; offering investment products aligned with ESG criteria; and ensuring no one is left behind by facilitating access to financing for all groups," he commented.

Fuster also emphasised that "a fairer society also involves financial inclusion, education, and access to housing" and highlighted that "Alicante is paving the way: many companies are already transforming their processes and committing to sustainability."

The forum concluded with a shared vision: sustainability is not a hindrance but an accelerator of competitiveness, efficiency, and progress. To achieve this, it is necessary to anticipate, collaborate, innovate, and measure the impact of actions not only in figures but also in social and environmental legacy.

All speakers agreed that Alicante is well-positioned, with committed companies already leading this transformation. "But we cannot stop; we must be consistent. Every action counts towards building a cleaner, fairer, and more prepared province," concluded Cristina Pérez.