Once again, the time has come to communicate our achievements, challenges and commitments in the area of sustainability to our stakeholders. It is a moment of great satisfaction for us to be able to show how, little by little, our strategy is being consolidated and we are making firm progress in the different axes of sustainability.

As a starting point we would like to share the success achieved in the assessment against the GRESB Infrastructure Sustainability Index. Thus, for the first time, we have obtained 100 points out of 100. This excellent result has allowed us to achieve the maximum “five star” rating for a third consecutive year, maintaining our second position at a European level and first in Spain.

We are fully aware that these results at GRESB are the result of the efforts we are making as part of our sustainability strategy.

During 2023 we developed a Sustainability Master Plan 2023–2026 based on the materiality analysis we conducted in 2022. This Plan has strengthened our capacity to align and unite the efforts already being made by the different directorates and departments. We are now all more aware of our role and contribution to achieving the sustainability commitments of Madrileña Red de Gas.

For the first time, we have obtained 100 points out of 100. This excellent result has allowed us to achieve the maximum “five star” rating for a third consecutive year, maintaining our second position at a European level and first in Spain

As lines of work in this Master Plan, we continue to reinforce the role that the Governing Bodies have in the sustainability strategy, in the knowledge and control of impacts, as well as in the reception and analysis of the opinion of our stakeholders. Although we were already doing so, we have formalised the role of the Risk Committee as the governing body responsible for identifying, managing and elevating the possible impacts of risks and opportunities in sustainability, updating the necessary manuals and procedures to systematise this important function.

Looking at our raison d’être, as a gas-distribution company, our commitment to international policies and proposals in the fight against climate change is vital.

A key focus of the work is the measurement and registration of the carbon footprint in Scopes 1, 2 and 3, and plans for its effective reduction. By 2023 we have achieved a 51% reduction, and in line with this strong commitment, we have certified and obtained the Gold Standard seal awarded by OGMP 2.0 (Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0), an initiative launched in 2020 by the United Nations Environment Programme, which is part of the European Commission’s Methane Emissions Reduction Strategy.

To this reduction we must add efforts to facilitate the energy transition. We are working in the field of research and innovation in order to be a future distributor of renewable gases, and for our network to provide households, commerce and industry with renewable gases such as green hydrogen or biogas. For yet another year, we continue to participate in various innovation projects with this objective in mind, analysing and evaluating equipment and training our staff so that, in the future, they can extend, operate and maintain this type of distribution network.

I would also like to mention that in our fight against corruption, and in favour of good governance, we have updated our Code of Ethics, incorporating new legal requirements and providing the necessary training in this regard. We have also created an internal channel to communicate information regarding potential irregularities that may occur within the Entity and to manage the internal investigation processes derived therefrom, in accordance with the requirements set out in Law 2/2023, of 20 February, regulating the protection of persons who report breaches of regulations and the fight against corruption.

Without further ado, I would like to share this report on our work in 2023, again hoping that it will be useful and of interest, help you to understand our commitment and may serve other companies and our stakeholders to identify and build on possible good practices with a focus on sustainable development.

 

Pedro Mielgo