The group is composed of 20 companies, including Acciona, ACS Cobra, FRV Fotowatio and Elecnor. It is helping to make the Spanish renewables industry a leader in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The study is called ‘Reporting tendencies for the carbon footprint of Spain’s 50 largest companies’. It analyzes the annual reports on sustainability of the 50 largest companies headquartered in Spain (according to revenues).

The report was prepared by researchers from the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change. It reveals that the vast majority of these firms calculate their carbon footprint, most often reporting the extent of their direct and indirect emissions. By sector, transportation companies have come the farthest in terms of calculating their carbon footprint. For other sectors reporting ranges between 70% and 90%.

Most companies include a section on climate change in their sustainability report. In addition, they provide information about their goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. A high percentage of these firms describe what steps they are taking in order to reduce their environmental impact.

The report underscores the relationship that exists between companies which have Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and those that report their carbon footprint. Firms which do have EMS are more transparent, exhibit greater interest in environmental matters and are more likely to participate in the international Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which aims to monitor corporate greenhouse gas emissions.