Positive society: a surplus of well-being
WHAT IS A POSITIVE SOCIETY?
A society that presents a favorable balance of well-being for the people within it. An ideal where prosperity is measured in opportunities created, inclusivity, education and equality.
Positive society and the social dimension of sustainability
Since the Brundtland Report was released by the UN in 1987, there has been growing awareness of the impact human actions have on the planet. The report, titled “Our Common Future,” introduced the concept of “sustainable development,” highlighting the importance of progress that does not jeopardize future generations’ prospects.
The concept of sustainability, threatened not only by resource exploitation but also by global warming, has long taken on an inherently environmental focus. Pressed by climate emergencies, businesses, governments, and civil society have made significant strides in this direction.
However, sustainability goes beyond environmental preservation—it extends to improving the entire ecosystem. It is not sufficient to simply avoid causing harm; there is a need to actively regenerate, create positive impact, and leave conditions better than before.
The 3 pillars of a positive society
In ACCIONA, we refer to a positive society in two deeply-interwoven ways:
A positive society is a society benefiting from the work of those who try to put people at the centre of their aims.
And, simultaneously, it is a society contributing to leaving things better than they were.
And this occurs through what ACCIONA terms the 3 pillars of the Positive Society
1. PEOPLE
1. PEOPLE
ACCIONA's people are one of the pillars that define Positive Society. People for a better planet, people who contribute with their work to improve the environment in which they operate, generating well-being for the communities they serve.
2. COMMUNITIES
2. COMMUNITIES
The areas where ACCIONA's projects are located are another pillar of the Positive Society. ACCIONA focuses on leaving a positive legacy, extending the value of its projects by developing local education, creating opportunities, and improving the quality of life for residents.
3. SOCIETY
3. SOCIETY
The combined impact of ACCIONA’s global projects, together with acciona.org electricity and sanitation programs, help generate a “social well-being surplus” that contributes to building a Positive Society.
Business as unusual
A positive society as an entrepreneurial vision
ACCIONA carries in its DNA a commitment to take on challenges that deliver benefits far beyond the business realm, doing business as unusual. It also holds the vocation to become, through its economic activity, a benchmark for driving social and structural changes that contribute not only to protecting the planet but also to enhancing the well-being of the people who inhabit it.
Through its business areas, ACCIONA guarantees clean energy, access to water and its sustainable management, as well as regenerative infrastructure that addresses some of the main challenges society faces.
Beyond its business activity, ACCIONA is dedicated to building a Positive Society through various initiatives linked to each project. These initiatives aim to add value through education, job creation, and the inclusion of women in the workforce.
This Positive Society philosophy begins with the people who make up ACCIONA, extends to the communities where the company operates, and ultimately aims for global positive impact.
The role of business in building a positive society
Businesses play a critical role in building a Positive Society. Through responsible and conscious practices, companies contribute to a more equitable world. Furthermore, each project represents an opportunity to generate both tangible and intangible wealth, beyond the financial goals typically associated with business.
When companies align their objectives with these values, they set new standards and models for others to follow, sparking a multiplying effect that can drive positive social impact and create a fairer society.
Projects that build a positive society
Excellence has no gender, and the construction industry is no exception
ACCIONA marks a milestone in the construction industry with the raising of a building using women-only labor.
People
OUR PEOPLE, THE CENTRAL PILLAR OF A POSITIVE SOCIETY
The people of ACCIONA are one of the pillars that define and actively build a Positive Society. People for a better planet—individuals who contribute through their work to improve the environment they operate in and the communities that live there. These are the unique and inspiring stories of some of them.
acciona.org
ACCIONA's foundation, acciona.org, is one of the company’s greatest resources for leaving a lasting positive legacy in the countries in which we operate. As part of this third dimension of the Positive Society, the foundation the foundation provides access to essential services, such as electricity and sanitation, to people in vulnerable situations. At the same time, it works to create opportunities for future growth and development.
