Posted in: thought leadership
5th November 2025
“Whether or not politics keep pace, the shift is happening, and there is unquestionable evidence that it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for growth.”
As Brazil prepares to host global climate conference COP30, we spoke with B Team Leader José Manuel Entrecanales, Chairman and CEO of ACCIONA – a global leader in renewable and sustainable infrastructure – about how the company is approaching this moment.
What defines this COP for you? Are we entering a new environment, or is it business as usual?
There is, undoubtedly, a growing level of skepticism from some segments of society, which is reflected in the political spectrum. After years of setting goals and signing agreements, the era of ambition is over, and we have reached the era of implementation. The moment of truth has arrived, and some friction between these tectonic plates is inevitable.
The very good news is that the economic logic of this transformation – what we, at ACCIONA, call Climatenomics – is rapidly unfolding. The economic advantages of decarbonization of industrial processes, electricity generation and mobility are now undisputable. As a result, capital is being reallocated, technologies are scaling, and ethical levers are being complemented – or even replaced – by economic objectives. Whether or not politics keep pace, the shift is happening, and there is unquestionable evidence that it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for growth.
“After years of setting goals and signing agreements, the era of ambition is over, and we have reached the era of implementation. The moment of truth has arrived.”
How did ACCIONA find its purpose in this economic transformation?
ACCIONA is a century-old company that’s had to continuously reinvent itself to adapt to changing times. But adaptation not only requires suppleness, elasticity and nimbleness, it must also be grounded in purpose. Above all, adaptation requires making choices, and to choose wisely, you need clear beacons.
Serving the needs of society and driving its progress in a sustainable way, while growing as a company and remaining economically sound, have always been our goals.
"We’ve always tried to act this way: prudently, with foresight – yet, close to the communities where we operate..."
Rebuilding essential infrastructure after the two world wars, developing mobile telecommunications in the 1990’s, producing renewable energy and clean water, or developing sustainable solutions for urban mobility, housing and waste – all have been guided by the same objective: finding solutions to social challenges.
As a family-owned company, we’ve always tried to act this way: prudently, with foresight – yet, close to the communities where we operate, entrepreneurial, flexible, and guided by the conviction that we work for future generations.
What role does purpose play at ACCIONA? And how does it turn purpose into measurable impact?
Every infrastructure project – whether in energy, transport, water, social infrastructures or mobility – creates lasting value for people and the planet. Our commitment is that our infrastructure not only delivers on its core purpose but also creates additional value through initiatives that amplify its direct benefits.
A clear example is São Paulo’s Line 6 Metro, the largest urban mobility project in Latin America. Beyond its colossal financial scale and technical complexity, Line 6 has become one of our most iconic projects – a platform to implement our regenerative purpose and positive-impact model, proving that there is a different and more responsible way to deliver projects of this magnitude.
The results speak for themselves: it will cut travel time from an average of 90 minutes to just 20, save more than 100,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, and improve air quality for millions. It exemplifies our regenerative infrastructure model, creating additional value through local employment, inclusive opportunities, and social innovation. The project has generated over 11,000 direct jobs, reached more than 13,000 beneficiaries through social and community initiatives, and has become a model for promoting gender equality. Notably, its segment factory is led by a team made up of over 55% women, a global benchmark within the infrastructure sector.
That is what turning purpose into measurable impact means for us: creating projects that combine economic efficiency with social inclusion and environmental regeneration – showing that sustainability and competitiveness are now inseparable.
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