Image number 32 of the current section of Cosentino Group commits to innovation driving towards success for the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Cosentino Canada

Cosentino Group commits to innovation driving towards success for the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Image number 33 of the current section of Cosentino Group commits to innovation driving towards success for the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Cosentino Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cosentino presents its 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report containing its social and environmental commitments set within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through this document, Cosentino presents its achievements and commitments to putting into practice the action plan on the 2030 Agenda, which Spain presented to the United Nations on July 18th.

Download the Cosentino 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Santiago Alfonso, Cosentino Group Vice-President of Marketing and Communications: “Spain presented an ambitious project that requires a contribution from every person and institution. Cosentino is aware that its leadership also implies the obligation of paving the way towards sustainability. Cosentino will be able to drive the implementation of this agenda by adding our performance in strategic goals for our activity, such as health (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), decent work (SDG 8), innovation (SDG 9) and responsible production (SDG 12).”

Sustainable innovation towards the circular economy

Cosentino continues to prioritize innovation (SDG 9) as an essential driver of sustainable development. During 2017, investment in RD&I was increased by 30 per cent over 2016, reaching over 22.5 million euros (over $34.6 million CAD).

Image number 34 of the current section of Cosentino Group commits to innovation driving towards success for the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Cosentino Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part of this innovation effort has been focused on putting into practice Cosentino’s undertaking for sustainable production and the circular economy, in line with its strategic commitment to responsible consumption and production (SGD 12). Environmentally friendly products, which use waste from the production process in their composition, are an example of this commitment. In 2017, Cosentino produced more than 12 million square feet of slabs using reclaimed material, accounting for 19 per cent of total production, compared to 9 per cent in 2016.

Image number 35 of the current section of Cosentino Group commits to innovation driving towards success for the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Cosentino Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this regard, Cosentino has once again recently used innovation in order to progress towards a model of circular economy. On 16 July, the company announced the imminent opening of its own waste management facility (WMF).

Image number 36 of the current section of Cosentino Group commits to innovation driving towards success for the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Cosentino Canada

Increasing employment, diversity and safety – the keys to success

The multinational continues to place its faith in the sustained growth in employment that has characterised recent years. The company reached a figure of 3,975 employees in 2017. Additionally, Cosentino continues to advance in its efforts to bring diversity and equality to its workforce. The proportion of women in executive positions rose to 14.75% in 2017, deepening the company’s commitment to gender equality set out in SDG 5 of the 2030 Agenda.

Cosentino is committed to quality employment (SDG 8), with special attention to the creation of safe workplaces for the entire value chain. The company was able to reduce the accident rates of all its workplaces in Iberia, and in its processing workshops in the United States. Last year, Cosentino invested more than 3 million euros (over $4.6 million CAD) on safety systems for its US facilities, in addition to the 26.5 million euros (over $40.7 million CAD) invested over the last five years, mainly in the measures applied to its production and transformation facilities in Almería, Brazil and the United States. This figure has risen to a total health and safety investment of 100 million euros (over $153.8 million CAD) over the last two decades.

Commitment to talent and quality education

Cosentino’s commitment to quality education (SDG 4) is put into practice mainly through the Eduarda Justo Foundation, set up in 2006 to promote economic, social, educational and cultural development in Cosentino’s local area.

As part of its social commitment for the well-being of the population of the company’s local area, Cosentino increased its donations to social initiatives being implemented in Spain, Brazil and the North America by 31 per cent. A total of 1.3 million euros (over $2 million CAD) was given in donations.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

It was signed by 193 countries at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. Its 17 SDGs and 169 targets are combined with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda for finance and development and the Paris Agreement on climate change to urge global action that allows us to meet the social, economic, political and environmental challenges we face as a society.