Business Transformation: the imperative of sustainability for the future

Companies are at a crucial moment of transformation, where sustainability is positioned as one of the central axes that will shape the future of businesses. The integration of sustainable practices is no longer just an option, but an obligation for companies that want to remain relevant in an increasingly conscious world of the need to combat climate change. At a recent meeting on Sustainability and opportunities in the new economic model, organized by EXPANSIÓN in collaboration with Siemens, the challenges and opportunities that this transition towards sustainability presents for companies were addressed. Agustín Escobar, President and CEO of Siemens Spain, highlighted the key role that technology can play in reducing emissions, even stating that his company has the potential to address 75% of global emissions with its technological solutions. Commitment to sustainability is reflected in the investments that companies like Siemens and Volkswagen are making in decarbonization and electrification. Volkswagen Group Spain Distribution announced a significant investment in the electrification and digitalization of its vehicles, acknowledging its responsibility in the decarbonization process. Collaboration and innovation emerge as key elements to jointly address these challenges. Initiatives such as Gaia-X, which aims to create an open and federated data infrastructure in Europe, demonstrate the importance of alliances in accelerating innovation and the adoption of sustainable practices in the market. However, for this transition towards sustainability to be successful, a regulatory framework is needed that promotes decarbonization without compromising the competitiveness of European companies. Paco Pérez Botello from Volkswagen warned about the importance of maintaining competitive energy prices to ensure the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries, while Osmar Polo from T-Systems Iberia highlighted the need for traceability in the production chain to guarantee sustainability. In this context, Europe has the opportunity to lead the way towards a more sustainable and digitized economy, leveraging favorable conditions and the potential of major companies in key sectors. Collaboration among companies, investment in technology, and appropriate regulation will be essential for this transition to generate benefits not only for companies but also for society as a whole.