Spain – Ferdinand Consultants

How can an investment fund select the companies with the highest SDG impact?

ferdinandc — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 20:21:37 +0000

More and more, private and institutional investors want to ensure their money creates sustainable impacts. The range of sustainable finance offerings is extensive. Clear selection criteria are crucial for an investment fund that wants to meet the high expectations of clients interested in sustainable investments.

With its headquarters in Barcelona Caja de Ingenieros, a credit cooperative bank, is a leader in sustainable finance in Spain. The organization created the innovative investment fund “CdE ODS Impact ISR” to invest in companies that contribute toward the fulfilment of selected UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The department Caja Ingenieros Gestión approached Ferdinand Consultants with the question of how to define sustainability criteria for the companies selected to be included in the fund.

Our  team conducted research on  the topics that  are of highest relevance for sustainable business models for  the three selected SDGs:  #4 – education, #6 – water and #9 – infrastructure. Likewise, the study considered topics that influence the perception of stakeholders. Trends were analyzed to identify issues whose strategic  relevance may  change  in  the  future. Based  on  this research, selection  criteria and  key  performance  indicators were defined for the CdE ODS Impact ISR.   The new criteria  allow asset managers at  Caja de Ingenieros Gestión to have a more selective investment process, thus contributing effectively to the SDGs.

How to apply certified GRI training to the requirements of a CSR Master Program?

ferdinandc — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 12:50:24 +0000

The Polytechnic University of Valencia was founded in 1968 and is regarded as one of the leading universities in Spain and is among the world’s top universities.

As part of the university’s CSR Master Program, our team delivered a series of GRI Certified Training Courses. The content was tailored toward the curriculum needs of the university’s CSR Master Program.

As part of the training course, Ferdinand Consultants trained a total of 60 people, consisting of post-graduates, university professors and members of partner organizations.

Can an international standard improve social practices in South Spain´s agriculture sector?

ferdinandc — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 12:49:04 +0000

Our team, in cooperation with BSD Consulting Switzerland, supported the Swiss retail company Coop by implementing the GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practices (GRASP) amongst its suppliers of fruit and vegetables in the Spanish province of Almería.

We began by developing the national interpretation of the standard for Spain during a stakeholder engagement process. Our consultants then trained the suppliers on the application of GLOBALG.A.P. GRASP and prepared them for audits conducted by an external certification body. The effectiveness of the processes and aspects to be improved were assessed in several stakeholder roundtables.

This initiative led to improved social practices and helped establish collaborative stakeholder relations in the region.

Can GRI Guidelines strengthen sustainability in the home appliances sector?

ferdinandc — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 12:44:17 +0000

BSH (Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances) worked with our team to integrate the GRI Guidelines into the company’s reporting process and management systems. We supported BSH in identifying its most relevant sustainability issues and trained its management and staff in a tailored GRI course.

Can shrimp aquaculture create positive sustainability impacts in developing economies?

ferdinandc — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 12:42:26 +0000

ACCIÓ is an enterprise-centred public agency with the mission to position Catalonia amongst the world’s leading economies by facilitating the competitive differentiation of its companies.

Our team was mandated to develop a business plan for an innovative bottom-of-the-pyramid project, allowing small scale aquaculture farmers to increase their revenues and improve the sustainability impacts of the shrimp sector in developing economies.