The United Nations reports that only 15% of 169 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are advancing satisfactorily, 48% show modest progress, and 37% experience little to no movement or even regression. This finding marks the eighth anniversary of the SDG declaration, celebrated on Monday, September 25. The international body urges states and enterprises to deepen their commitment to achieving these goals. This year’s focus is SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, emphasizing steady, inclusive, and sustainable progress that benefits everyone and protects the environment.
Aqualia joins the celebration for another year, detailing 14 actions across eight work areas aimed at advancing SDG 8 and the 2030 Agenda. The campaign can be followed on social networks with the hashtag #ComprometiDOS and on a dedicated webpage with full details about these actions.
People management stands out as a central corporate challenge for Aqualia, which employs roughly 13,000 professionals across 18 countries. Local employment, stable jobs, and a high-quality working environment are the company’s core aims. In this strategic area, the organization advances initiatives in eight domains: diversity, safety, reconciliation, quality education, physical and mental health, local employment promotion, and regulatory compliance.
14 actions to advance Sustainable Development Goal 8
The campaign, labeled #DeterminedTWO, sees the company rolling out various initiatives tied to Goal No. 8 as part of its effort to enrich culture, diversity, and equality. A diversity committee and a mentoring program help women gain visibility within the organization, culminating in recognition as a leading company in diversity and the receipt of the Empowering Female Talent seal for its commitment to female talent.
Measures supporting work-life balance are encouraged to promote wellbeing among all employees. These efforts contributed to Aqualia earning the Family Responsible Business (efr) seal from Másfamilia for its family-friendly performance.
On the topic of quality education, 2022 saw renewal of longstanding agreements with universities and new collaborations with national and international schools, universities, and vocational training centers. The company organized 18,684 courses, with many participants receiving language training in safety, health, wellbeing, equality, diversity, digital skills, and regulatory compliance, reflecting its broad international footprint. In addition, 1,650 hours of sustainability training were delivered to 275 managers and mid-level staff.
Regarding safety, creating a healthier and safer working environment remains a top priority. Aqualia received several external recognitions in the past year, including the 10th edition of the ASEPEYO Antoni Serra Santamans Awards, highlighting the implementation of comprehensive health and wellbeing policies.
The company also commits to physical health—promoting healthy lifestyles for employees to improve quality of life—and emotional health, offering tools to manage mental and emotional wellbeing and access to psychological counseling for professional and personal needs.
In the area of normative compliance, Aqualia communicates its standards, principles, and ethical values across all operating countries. Local compliance officers were appointed in 2022, marking a milestone in spreading an ethical culture to 17 countries.
The company earned a certificate for its SDG contributions
Aqualia was the first comprehensive water-cycle management company to attain Sustainability Strategy certification and align its SDG contributions with the AENOR Sustainable Development Goals, embedding sustainability into its core principles and aligning strategies with the SDGs most relevant to its activities.
This alignment with the SDGs is in step with commitments outlined in the 2022 Sustainability Report and the 2021-2023 Strategic Sustainability Plan, which remain central to guiding the company as it addresses social and environmental challenges with leadership rooted in high ethical standards.