The Councilor of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, has closed the conference in Seville titled ‘The Impact of Business Foundations’, an initiative organized by the Association of Entrepreneurs of Southern Spain (Cesur) with the sponsorship of Moeve and the collaboration of the School of Industrial Organization (EOI). In this forum, the regional leader wanted to emphasize the strategic role of companies and foundations in the ecological transition, as well as the commitment of the Government to a sustainable, fair, and resilient development model.
During her speech, Catalina García announced a new digital tool enabled through the Environmental Portal of the Andalusian Government that will allow locating companies whose products and services are certified with the ‘Natural Park of Andalusia’ quality seal. «From the Environmental Portal of the Government, we wanted to take a step further in recognizing the commitment of our companies to sustainability», she pointed out.
The Councilor explained that this new digital platform «aims to give visibility to all products and services that have the ‘Natural Park of Andalusia’ quality seal. A mark that certifies the excellence of what is offered, as well as its origin in environments of high ecological value and its connection with a development model respectful of nature.»
Specifically, this tool allows anyone to easily locate some of the 700 companies operating within the protected natural areas of Andalusia, access their contact information, learn about their location, and discover over 1,800 natural products, handicrafts, and tourism services. «It is a direct way to support the productive fabric that bets on authenticity, quality, and sustainability as hallmarks, while reinforcing the link between the local economy and the conservation of natural heritage,» she emphasized.
The Councilor, accompanied by the Vice Councilor of Sustainability and Environment, Sergio Arjona, highlighted the work of the individuals who participated in the conference, especially praising the professionalism of those leading from the business and foundation field. In this regard, she emphasized the commitment and excellence of Teresa Mañueco, General Director of the Moeve Foundation; Regla Bejarano, Director of the Cruzcampo Foundation; Manuela Villena, Manager of the Bidafarma Foundation; Vanessa Jaklistch, Director of Communication, Marketing, and Institutional Relations of the EOI, and Luis Prendes, General Director of the Telefónica Foundation.
In this meeting space, the Councilor emphasized the role of business foundations as «catalysts of social commitment, economic transformation, and promotion of values that go beyond the strictly corporate sphere.» This work, in her words, «becomes a true laboratory of social and environmental innovation, capable of forging alliances, generating knowledge, piloting circular economy projects, promoting environmental volunteering, or raising awareness about major climate challenges.»
Catalina García stressed that sustainability «is no longer just a buzzword in speeches. It is an ethical requirement, an economic necessity, and a real opportunity to differentiate, grow, and establish oneself in a global market undergoing transformation,» she affirmed. Therefore, she pointed out that the Andalusian Government is working to ensure that companies are not mere spectators but «essential actors in the construction of a fairer, cleaner, and more resilient development model.»
Public-Private Collaboration and Circular Economy
The Sustainability Councilor also emphasized the value of collaboration between the public and private sectors as a driver of transformation. «Andalusia has understood this synergy as a lever to promote environmental policies that serve citizens and have, in the productive fabric, a committed and convinced ally,» she stated.
In this regard, she recalled that the autonomous community has a clear roadmap: the Andalusian Climate Action Plan, which since its approval in 2021 «has mobilized over 2.6 billion euros in 231 measures.» She also highlighted the implementation of the Andalusian Emissions Compensation System, which allows companies to calculate and offset their carbon footprint, as well as the development of the Andalusian Catalog of Emission Absorption Projects, «which already includes 27 projects covering nearly 2,400 hectares.»
Building on this, the Councilor pointed out that these advances have made Andalusia «the first autonomous community with projects pre-registered in the national registry of carbon footprint in public events» and that the regional administration has managed to «reduce our footprint by 86% since 2019.»
Regarding the circular economy, the Councilor highlighted the approval of the Andalusian Circular Economy Law in 2023, which proposes «a productive system that reduces waste, reuses materials, and optimizes resources.» A law «pioneering in Spain» that also unfolds in specific actions such as the Andalusian Circular Economy Strategy, whose formulation was recently approved by the Government Council. «A strategy that promotes industrial symbiosis among companies, drives innovation, and encourages responsible production,» she added.
New Laws for Andalusia
The Councilor also took this opportunity to announce that her department is processing three draft laws that «stem from a shared vision: that of a greener, more prepared for the future, stronger Andalusia from its commitment to the environment and socioeconomic development.»
These are the draft laws of Agents of Environmental Affairs, Forestry Law, and Law for Environmental Management of Andalusia. Norms that «will allow us to modernize, update, and prepare our land for the challenges of the present and the future,» she stated.
Finally, the Councilor appealed to shared responsibility and joint work as keys to the future. «We are facing a profound change. It is not about applying band-aids. It is about redesigning how we produce, consume, and coexist. And in that redesign, the business sector must be a protagonist,» she concluded. Thus, she thanked Cesur, Moeve, the School of Industrial Organization, and all the individuals and entities involved for their participation in a conference «that demonstrates that profitability and values can be combined» and that «the future is built through loyal collaboration between the public and private sectors.»
