The Circular Economy Academy: One more step towards a better future

As Nelson Mandela said: "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." This expression seems to be tailor-made to explain what more than 60 Endesa workers experienced this year at the Campus Iberus, a learning space consisting of the University of Zaragoza, the Public University of Navarra, the University of Lleida and the University of La Rioja.

As Luis Salvatela, coordinator of the Master’s Degree in Circular Economy at the Iberus Campus, assured us, "it is essential that circularity becomes impregnated in society". That is why the first Circular Economy Academy in Spain was held from 8 to 23 June. The purpose of this project, which is part of our commitment to the circular economy as the basis for a new sustainable economic model and a commitment to extending this culture within the company, is to train [EFML1] employees to apply the knowledge acquired in this internal school within the different departments, job positions and responsibilities.

The road towards the circular economy

As Sabina Scarpeli, specialist in Socioeconomics and Sustainability and professor at the Circular Economy Academy, explained "some aspects relating to sustainability, such as environmental awareness and the importance of renewable energies, are beginning to take root; but others, like the circular economy, are more recent and still need to mature."

Here at Endesa, we are aware that our 9,000 employees can help design strategies that will enable us to implement the principles of the circular economy in our value chain and reorient our current production model so that it becomes circular.

This first edition of the Circular Academy consisted of 37 hours of online training with a very comprehensive programme that included subjects like circular business models, circular economy as a competitive advantage, circularity metrics, life cycle analysis, environmental management, product eco-design, waste, renewable raw materials, legislation and circular cities. "With the Academy we aim to provide our employees with knowledge and tools that will enable them to incorporate the principles of the circular economy into their daily work and this will lead to progress in the development of this new model," said Virginia Ocio.

To set this accelerator in motion that will position circularity at the centre of society and the economy, this training, which was launched simultaneously in the rest of the countries in which the Enel group operates, was under the scientific direction of Luis Salvatella, coordinator of the Master’s Degree in Circular Economy; expert professors; and presentations by specialists from Endesa and other entities within the Campus Iberus who teach subjects in the Master's Degree. And the second edition of the Academy has already been launched!

Circularity from the inside

Endesa is incorporating the principles of circularity into its culture and all their activities with a double perspective: Cultural change within the company and collaboration with other companies, institutions and public bodies. In the first case, to address circularity from the inside, we are integrating this philosophy through business-linked projects that promote a change of culture in the lives of employees.

In order to be able to address it successfully, Endesa has a "Circular Economy Community", a multidisciplinary team from the company's different business lines and support areas, who are all convinced that change is possible and who enjoy the support of the commitment by the Company's Senior Management.