Projects

The IDIADA Division is demonstrating its commitment to water conservation by implementing innovative reuse and conservation systems at its facilities in Tarragona, Catalonia (Spain).

In response to the worrying drought affecting the region where it is located, the centre has taken significant steps to reduce its water footprint. One of the most notable initiatives is the installation of a water reuse system in the car washing tunnel. This system has achieved a very significant 42% reduction in water consumption; 290 m3 have been saved, going from 0.29 m³ per car to just 0.17 m³. 

This voluntary action required an investment of €19,764.72, and the equipment installed is expected to have a useful life of more than 15 years. The test tracks also contribute to this effort, recovering about 94% of the water they consume in trials through a collection, treatment and reuse system. 

In Spain, 4 of the 14 tracks available on the site are irrigated. Two of these tracks are used for braking tests, one for wet driving and the last one for fatigue tests. These tracks are equipped with a filtering and recirculation system that reduces the environmental impact of water use. This system includes a quality control by measuring pH, conductivity and osmotic treatment, which allows the water to be reused. Flow monitoring devices have also been installed to detect and act quickly in the event of any leaks.
 

In 2024, we have implemented a project to reduce water consumption in the green areas of our vehicle inspection centre in San Antonio, Valparaiso Region, an area suffering from a drought of more than 10 years, exacerbated by climate change. 

The project has consisted of replacing the grass with a plant species called doquilla (Lampranthus Roseus), which requires less watering. Before the replacement, the centre consumed an average of 74 m³ of water per month, mainly due to the irrigation of 639 m² of lawn. In a first stage, the new plant has been planted over 132 m², approximately 21% of the total area, and the irrigation system has been adjusted to optimise water use. Initial results show a 19% reduction in monthly water consumption, down from 74 m³ to 60 m³. By extrapolating these results, it is expected that, upon completing the replacement of the entire surface, the monthly water savings will be approximately 66 m³, which translates into an economic saving of CLP 159,000 per month. The total estimated cost to replace the entire green area is CLP 325,000, so the payback period is two years.

The implementation of LED lights at our Automotive Division’s Performance Verification Centres (CVRs in Spanish) in Mexico represents a voluntary energy efficiency initiative and a significant commitment to reducing our environmental impact.

The new lighting system, implemented in 2024, provides an annual reduction of 5.83 tonnes of CO2eq. Moreover, the LED lights do not contain mercury or other toxic substances, which reduces the generation of hazardous  waste at our facilities. Their long useful life significantly reduces electronic waste and consumption of natural resources. From a financial perspective, the initiative has required an initial investment of 548,948.00 Mexican pesos, generating annual savings of 86,448.88 Mexican pesos. The payback period for the investment is estimated at 6.4 years, which makes it economically viable, considering a useful life of 10 years.

At the end of 2021, the Applus+ site in Bibra Lake, Perth (Australia) implemented a solar panel system. 

This initiative has achieved very significant results, both environmentally and economically, reducing 105 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to planting 2,043 trees, and generating savings of 15,910 Australian dollars per year. With an initial investment of 27,399 Australian dollars, with a government contribution, the project paid for itself in less than two years.

Our IDIADA Division has announced the launch of SUSTAIN (Sustainable Sequestration and
Tree-based Afforestation Initiative for Nature), an ambitious agroforestry scheme in India. The project envisages the planting of more than 210,000 bamboo trees in the forest lands of Hamirpur, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, over the next five years.

Our IDIADA Division has announced the launch of SUSTAIN (Sustainable Sequestration and Tree-based Afforestation Initiative for Nature), an ambitious agroforestry scheme in India. The project envisages the planting of more than 210,000 bamboo trees in the forest lands of Hamirpur, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, over the next five years. Bamboo, known for its rapid growth and minimal environmental impact, is instrumental in capturing and storing CO2, helping to mitigate climate change. The initiative aims to revitalise degraded ecosystems, restore soil health, prevent erosion and promote biodiversity. In addition to the environmental benefits, SUSTAIN will improve local community wellbeing by increasing land productivity and regional revenues through the various applications of bamboo, from construction to paper production. This initiative addresses multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger, climate action and life on land. 

Applus+ is committed to renewable energy generation in different regions. In Ireland, we are installing solar panels on all new buildings. This is already producing positive results at the Castleisland site in Kerry, where we have been able to reduce reliance on the grid and improve operational stability during power outages.

In 2024, in Galicia, Spain, an ambitious four-year project has been launched to install 3,290 photovoltaic panels across the entire network of centres, with a total peak power of 1.8 KWp. The first phase will begin with eight stations in the province of La Coruña. These initiatives demonstrate the commitment of Applus+ to the transition towards a low-emission economy, combining renewable energy generation with reduced operating costs and improved electric mobility infrastructure.

Our materials testing laboratory in France coordinates the collaborative TEMPEST project, focused on the development of a new generation of lithium batteries with innovative features in the sector. Taking a holistic approach, the project aims to produce safer and more sustainable high-performance batteries through the use of cell-to-package architectures, incorporating the latest generation of lithium cells and solid-state technology, as well as lightweight composite battery casings.

To ensure safety, we prioritise structural health monitoring for detecting defects and the use of flame-retardant materials, new thermal management techniques and impact-resistant casings. The design includes reversible joints for easy repairs, hydrogen-based recycling for the recovery of cell components, and the use of digital tools to improve performance and efficiency. Our laboratory is specifically responsible for the development of flame retardant and fire- resistant coatings, impact resistant coatings to be applied to composite battery casings, and reversible joining solutions. TEMPEST Innovation programme. has received funding from the European Union and the United Kingdom’s Research and TEMPEST is a member of the EU-INGENIOuS cluster of projects, which we chair, and which also includes the EU-funded NEXTBAT project, in which we also participate.

The IWEX (inverse wavefield extrapolation) non-destructive testing technique, first developed in Rotterdam in the first decade of the 21st century, is a patented system that uses advanced ultrasonic testing based on full matrix capture (FMC) data for high- precision inspections. Initially developed for the inspection of new construction pipeline girth weld in the oil and gas industry, it has evolved to incorporate techniques such as 3D IWEX imaging, geometric adaptations and complex materials support (e.g., anisotropy and coarse-grained steel). 

The mature version of IWEX offers intuitive defect interpretation and optimised inspection speed. Over the years, it has been fully proven in offshore pipeline construction, gaining DNV qualification (ST-F101) for both carbon steel and CRA welds, and has recently been adapted to work in offshore wind turbine manufacturing and can be extended for use in chemical, power, nuclear and other plants.

The compact portable IWEX model significantly increases the versatility of the technology, making it ideal for on-site inspections and harsh environments. It provides high-resolution images and detailed analysis, with an easy-to-use interface and a robust design that ensures a problem-free operation and reliable results in every use. It has been deployed in various regions of the Group for multiple purposes to replace in-service phased array ultrasonic non-destructive testing operations. 

IWEX incorporates real-time data analysis, which speeds up decision-making and reduces errors. It is currently used in a variety of sectors, with recent contracts in Canada (TC Energy), in Spain for the wind energy sector, and in several other countries. Continuously developing and adaptable, IWEX is a fundamental tool for industrial safety, offering an unprecedented asset evaluation with a wide range of applications.
 

We recognise the environmental impact associated with our vehicle fleet.In line with our ongoing efforts in recent years, we continue to promote its electrification.

The management of our vehicle fleet prioritises efficient, lower-emission replacements as the rental contracts are renewed. Our fleet has 119 eco-efficient vehicles.

In 2024, we continued to expand our network of electric vehicle chargers, 168 of them located at our facilities in Spain. By increasing the charging infrastructure, we facilitate the transition to cleaner vehicles and encourage the adoption of electric/plug-in hybrid vehicles among our employees. We have completed the validation of a connectivity solution for the Iberian market and are currently in the process of validating it in international markets. This represents a significant advance in the efficient management of our fleet, while allowing us to improve road safety and awareness campaigns aimed at our employees. It also provides us with greater traceability of fleet emissions, which enable us to develop more effective CO2 emissions reduction campaigns.
 

The management of a photovoltaic (PV) plant involves carrying out proper maintenance of on- imise 
energy production.

This task can be a major challenge, as there can be thousands of modules and hundreds of inverters 
in a single PV project. Until a few years ago, these processes were manual and time- consuming. 
Advances in digital technologies have provided solutions through a combination of drone flights 
with infrared (IR) cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) models.

For example, the Smart PV Inspection Tool (SPI), developed by Applus+, brings speed and accuracy to this type of inspection.

The tool is capable of processing thousands of images collected on flights, looking for multiple 
types of defects that can affect an asset’s performance, automatically classifying their 
criticality.

The analysis of asset performance is another focal point where AI is helping to gain more insight 
from the data recorded by Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, through a 
combination of advanced data science tools and machine learning (ML) models. In this regard, the 
Advanced Performance Application Tool (A-PAA), developed by Applus+, calculates key metrics such as the real evolution of the production of each component, how much energy has been lost during 
periods of inactivity and the optimal performance of different types of devices based on their 
historical data.

AI applications are already playing a key role in the transformation of the solar PV industry, improve project efficiency and safety.

Road safety is the top priority in the development of connected and autonomous vehicles. The IDIADA Division has been the coordinator of the European H2020 SAFE- UP project, in which 20 partners have been working on understanding the impact of mixed traffic environments (autonomous vehicles, human behaviour, two-wheeled vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians), in which various actors coexist. In this project, we have evaluated occupant safety and worked from different development fields, such as electronics, connectivity, active and passive safety and various human body models. We have also generated training materials to raise public awareness of new technologies and advanced driving assistance functions before the deployment of autonomous vehicles.

The results of the project, completed in 2023, will have a considerable impact on the automotive 
sector, especially in the implementation of new technologies such as connectivity, Advanced Driver 
Assistance Systems (ADAS) and passive safety-based solutions for future EuroNCAP scenarios, 
improving the safety of all road users.

One of the key vectors for decarbonising the economy is the use of hydrogen as a fuel, which is 
currently a major challenge due to its characteristics and risks. Progress still needs to be made 
in the development and testing necessary to obtain products suitable for transport, storage and 
use.

Applus+ is committed to developing new industrial-scale testing methods to validate and certify the 
new systems involved in the use of hydrogen. Within this framework, we are working on several R&D 
projects in which we are developing tests for both high-pressure gaseous hydrogen systems and 
liquid hydrogen under cryogenic conditions.

For example, we are developing mechanical tests under cryogenic conditions for materials and 
components, as well as hydrogen flame resistance and reaction tests, which will allow the industry 
to access product validation and certification under time and cost conditions suitable for the 
industrial environment.

With these new services, Applus+ contributes to facilitating the development and implementation of 
technologies that use the hydrogen energy vector to achieve a more environmentally friendly 
economy.

In the automotive field, UNECE member countries, such as the European Union, Japan and South Korea, introduced new regulations in 2021 to integrate cybersecurity into the homologation of new vehicles. These regulations became mandatory in EU Countries in 2022 for new vehicle models, and in 2024 they will be extended to all registered vehicles sold in these countries in 2024.

As a technical vehicle homologation service, our IDIADA Division is accredited to assess that manufacturers comply with the technical and administrative requirements of UN ECE R155 and R156 regulations. Manufacturers, in turn, extend these safety requirements to all vehicle components and the companies that manufacture them. The supply chain, in turn, must demonstrate that it has assessment and risk management in place for its components using ISO/SAE 21434 or equivalent processes.

Our Laboratories Division collaborates with Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 to support their risk assessments, thanks to its knowledge and experience in security evaluations and penetration attacks.

One of the key assets to improve and expand digitalisation-based services is data management and 
analysis. This is why the IDIADA Division is creating a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for data related 
to testing, approval and certification in the mobility sector. The project aims to develop a 
state-of-the-art centre focused on the development of data-based services that can be offered to 
various industry players.

With rapid advances in technology and the increasing complexity of vehicles and mobility ecosystem 
players, there is a growing need to leverage data science, encompassing data collection, data 
mining and analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML), to revolutionise the 
current testing, approval and certification services for the automotive industry.

The Centre will serve as an incubator and accelerator of ideas to be transformed into new services  and products in a very short time to market. Leveraging a vast matrix of real data collected from various sources (sensor networks, simulation platforms, vehicle fleets, technical inspection services, governmental organisations, etc.), vehicle performance data and our experts’ in-depth knowledge of functionality and regulations, the project aims to redefine the rules of design, development and validation and improve the performance and efficiency of vehicles in a more appropriate and faster way.

In Valencia, Spain, we are overseeing the implementation of the management and c
ol system for the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

This two-year contract includes the preparation of the necessary technical documentation, quality guarantee and regulatory compliance of supplies and developments. Moreover, consultancy and technical assistance services are offered to support additional aspects related to the LEZ, such as the handling of pe sonal data and the communication campaign.

Over the next two years, we are going to offer educational services to visitors to the industrial facilities of the Galician Environmental Society (Sogama).

For this purpose, we have created a virtual reality video and an interactive game called TRASH&FURIOUS to enhance the educational experience and highlight the importance of the environment. The video provides an immersive view of Sogama’s facilities and promotes environmental awareness, while the game offers a competi ive and fun way to learn about recycling.

In the small municipality of Sysslebäck, we have taken the initiative to keep in operation an inspection station that our state competitor decided to close. Thanks to our commitment and the support of the
municipality, the station is operational several days a week, saving residents from travelling 60 
km to the nearest station.
 

By providing this service locally, we ensure vehicle safety, save 
residents time and money, and avoid emissions of nearly 9 tonnes of CO2.

Thanks to this initiative in collaboration with the ONCE Foundation, we have gained insights into 
the benefits of hiring people with disabilities to create an environment where diversity is integrated into daily work practices.

This day reinforced our conviction that each person, with their skills, contributes uniquely to the 
collective success of our team.

At Applus+, we take pride in being part of initiatives like #TalentoInfinito that inspire us to 
continue building an inclusive and enriching workplace for all.

The increasing use of drones in high-risk environments such as cities has led to th regulation of drone operations in several countries. In the European Union, the new regulatory framework for drones will become mandatory in January 2024.

Applus+ is accredited to test and certify drones in accordance with the new European regulation and has facilities in Spain and China to perform all the required tests, whether in the laboratory or with the drone in flight. During 2023, several drone models have been certified for leading manufacturers in the sector.
 

Applus+ carries out property engineering for a 193.5 MW wind farm located between the
cities of Umburanas and Ourolândia, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. We also provide surveying 
services using drones and topographic stations with RTK (Real Time Kinematic) technology, which 
allows us to reduce the margin of error in millimetres, and specialised software for technical drawings and image processing.

The development of this project will contribute to the saving of 477,488 tonnes of CO₂ per year in relation to the generation of electricity from non-renewable sources.

The recent visit to the workshops and facilities of the Adcor and Aspronaga Foundations has been an 
enriching experience for Applus+. We explored the spaces where the people involved in these 
organisations carry out their daily activities, gaining insights into their work processes, 
training methods for entering the labour market and their expectations from a job.

After touring their work and training spaces, we collectively discussed the possibility of these 
individuals undertaking internships within our Group. This firsthand exposure to the foundations’ 
activities has deepened our ties with institutions that promote inclusion. The knowledge acquired 
will allow us to improve our efforts to incorporate people with disabilities into our workforce.

Through these experiences, we aim not only to comprehend the realities and challenges faced by 
people with disabilities, ut also to actively contribute to building a more equitable and 
accessible future for all.

We participated in the X Talento Challenge competition, an initiative by ONCE Foundation/Inserta 
that promotes the development of projects with a positive social impact and aims to encourage 
entrepreneurship among people aged 14 to 18.

To materialise our commitment to inclusion, our team worked on a project involving the creation of 
a personalised story featuring people with intellectual disabilities and ASD (Autism Spectrum 
Disorder), who share their stories and experiences in the narrative.

There is a lack of awareness about intellectual disabilities and autism, and this initiative helps 
raise awareness about both. The illustrated story format facilitates reading for people with 
cognitive challenges, thereby increasing the reach of the initiative.

In Chile, we work closely with the country’s National Disability Service (SENADIS). Through our 
active participation in the National Employment Bank, we promote job opportunities specifically 
designed for people with disabilities. This commitment reflects our determination to support 
effective inclusion in the workplace, recognising the value and unique skills that each person 
brings.

This strategic partnership with SENADIS allows us to contribute directly to the creation of a more 
diverse and accessible work environment. By disseminating job opportunities in an inclusive manner, 
we aim to break down barriers and encourag the equitable participation of people with disabilities 
in the Chilean labour market.
 

In 2023, we joined the celebration of NAIDOC Week to learn about the history, culture and 
achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This initiative is dedicated to 
diversity, inclusion and promoting a workplace that is aware of other cultures. NAIDOC Week is an 
annual event held in Australia every July.
 

Our team in Australia voted to rename the rooms at the Training Centre in Bibra Lake with names 
from the Nyoongar culture, the Aboriginal people residing in the southwest of Australia.

As a sign of our commitment to Aboriginal culture, we have signed the Reconciliation Action Plan, a 
strategic document that outlines an organisation’s commitment to reconciliation between Aboriginal 
and Torres Strait Islander people with non-Indigenous Australians. This initiative is led by 
Reconciliation Australia, an independent organisation promoting reconciliation in the country.

In Spain, through the “Jo, Enginyera” (I, Engineer) Programme, we want to encourage more women to 
pursue university degrees In Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, in order to promote female talent in key areas for economic and social development, thereby reducing existing inequalities.

We drive various initiatives to promote gender equality within our company and in our business environment, ultimately aiming to highlight female talent and bring about mindset changes in society.

The IDIADA Division has successfully implemented a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) that redefines the way the division approaches the development of its teams. Its key features 
include:

• Comprehensive centralisation: consolidates all training, whether internal or external, providing 
users with a single access point. This dramatically simplifies the user experience and ensures more 
efficient management.
•  Global visibility: provides a complete overview of all training initiatives in real time. This 
allows training managers and leaders to have a clearer perspective of training activities 
throughout the organisation.
• Automated processes: optimises course administration, progress tracking and performance 
evaluation. This not only saves time, but also reduces the administrative burden associated with 
training management.
• Information and reporting: features robust reporting capabilities that provide detailed data on 
participation, performance and course effectiveness. This facilitates informed decision-making and 
the continuous evaluation of the training impact.
• Internal training digitalisation: drives the transition to internal digital training, enabling 
staff to access training resources from any location, at any time. This flexibility supports 
adaptation to dynamic work environments.
• Personalised learning paths: ensures that each employee receives training tailored to their 
specific professional development needs. This customisation enhances the relevance and 
effectiveness of the training.
• Development and engagement: not only focuses on the development of technical skills,
but also fosters deeper engagement. This contributes to talent retention and strengthens the
organisational culture.

Mohammed Qutbuddin from Saudi Arabia was the winner of the Global Ace Safety Award 2022, awarded by Applus+ in May 2023 for his high commitment to safety, which he demonstrates on a daily basis by 
reporting incidents and unsafe conditions, some with a high potential risk. His safety performance earned him recog ition from a client in September 2022.

Occupational risk management is fundamental to Applus+, especially as a significant part of our services is carried out at client sites. We strive to achieve the goal of zero accidents with our comprehensive health and safety strategy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which aims to advance and expand the use of
nuclear energy to promote global peace, health and prosperity, conducts regular physical protection
reviews of the nuclear industry in its member countries.

In 2023, the Netherlands hosted the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS)
mission, which was the 101st mission in the history of the IAEA. This mission was carried out by
a team of independent experts from IAEA member states, with expertise in physical protection,
cybersecurity and the legal and regulatory framework, and was coordinated by the Dutch Authority
for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS).

Applus+ in the Netherlands, with a radiation permit since 1973, participated in the mission by giving
a presentation on the evolution of its safety system, from the discovery of ionising radiation in the
20th century to its current state, and by showing its facilities and the safety measures implemented.
During the visit to our facilities, the ten safety experts reviewed the safety system and, although
there is always room for improvement, the team of experts agreed that all necessary safety measures
had been implemented.

The IPPAS mission in the Netherlands concluded with a formal presentation of the results, confirming
the country’s continued commitment and efforts to build a strong nuclear safety regime. The mission
results indicate that the country’s nuclear safety regime is well established and aligned with IAEA
nuclear safety guidelines.

During 2023, Applus+ carried out or participated in various campaigns to promote health and healthy 
habits. For example, in October, breast cancer awareness month, the entire Applus+ team in Chile 
was invited to a symbolic event. At this event, each team member was asked to wear pink and have 
their picture taken, as a way of showing their awareness of the importance of early detection measures for the disease.

Other health campaigns addressed diseases such ascancer (Panama), diabetes, kidney failure and 
hypertension (in the Caribbean region), and the promotion of sport (in Colombia and Panama).

At our facilities in Bellaterra (Barcelona), we carry out weekly yoga practices with three goals. We
want our professionals:

• To feel better physically. Yoga favours the correct alignment of the spine, tones muscles and
prevents injuries, cramps, headaches and back pain.
• To feel better emotionally. We all know that eliminating stress is complicated, but yoga reduces
nervousness and insomnia and facilitates self-management.
• To concentrate better. Thanks to yoga, you learn to empty your mind, increasing your attention
span and memory.

At Applus+, we recognise the positive impact of raising awareness of mental health issues.
In Australia, for the past three years, we have celebrated Mental Health Day with a range
of activities. In 2023, we launched an initiative to raise awareness of mental health issues,
encouraging the workforce to seek help if they are struggling in any area.

Encouraging our colleagues to start a simple conversation with a “hey, are you okay?” can work
wonders, transforming our workplace into a safer, more supportive and uplifting space.

Once again, this year, we have kept clothing collection bins at all our statutory-vehicleinspection
stations in Galicia, Spain, thanks to an agreement with Insertega, a clothing recycling company.

Each year, the company Insertega provides one kilogramme of food for every 10 kilogrammes
of clothing collected. With this initiative, our aim is threefold:
• We collaborate with a company that promotes the employment of the most
disadvantaged groups in our community.
• We donate food to organisations whose aim is to help people in greatest need.
• We collaborate in the process of recovering textile waste.

In 2023, we have donated 781 kilogrammes of food through the collection of clothes from the
containers. The organisation that has received the donation is the Food Bank in Lugo.

The “Paper for Food” campaign, promoted by the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks, turns the paper collected into food for those most in need. With the proceeds from the sale of the paper to 
authorised waste managers, food is purchased and distributed locally.

We have joined this challenge and have made two donations, led by our environmental inspection 
department. The process is simple: we collect the paper and take it to the nearest Food Bank. There 
is no minimum amount for donations and all types of paper are accepted, including newspapers, 
magazines, textbooks, written or blank sheets of paper, even cardboard. We also make an additional 
donation of plastic, as the waste company collaborating with the Food Bank also accepts this 
material.

This campaign is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the fight against hunger and to 
protecting the environment. Together, we can make a difference.

In 2023, we carried out an internal initiative in which we asked our employees to donate school 
supplies and uniforms that were new or in good condition. We set up collection points at all our 
facilities in Panama.

We delivered these school supplies to the El Portugués de Veraguas community to help the young 
students of the El Portugués-Barnisal school prepare for the new school year.

Our Activities Committee, with the support of other Applus+ employees, travelled to the El 
Portugués-Barnisal community to make the delivery. In addition to providing school supplies, we 
also shared meals with the students and strengthened our bonds of friendship with
the community.

Once again, within the framework of the collaboration agreement with the Down Syndrome and other 
Intellectual Disabilities Foundations of the Basque Country, Adcor and Aspanri Down, we have held 
charity Christmas markets at several offices in Spain.

The proceeds from the sale of various products made by young people with intellectual disabilities 
are used for their training and integration in the workplace. This action is in line with our goal 
of promoting an inclusive work environment and strengthening the inclusion of people with 
disabilities worldwide.

Applus+ is proud of its sixth annual collaboration with the UAB cursa solidària, a solidarity race 
organised by the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Cerdanyola del Vallès Municipal Council, with the collaboration and sponsorship of the University of Barcelona and our company. This year, the cursa solidària focused on sexual and reproductive health.

The proceeds from this event go to the TV3 La Marató Foundation, which promotes outstanding scientific research and raises social awareness of various diseases. In 2023, La Marató wanted
to pay special attention to the need to consider the gender perspective in all areas of medicine 
and research.

Specifically, it addresses how research into sexuality and reproduction will affect the prevention, 
diagnosis and treatment of diseases, especially in women, the most affected group.

The cursa solidària offers several ways to participate, including races of different distances, 
walks and options for people with reduced mobility. In addition to participating in the race, it is 
also possible to contribute through donations or volunteering. Those registered had the chance to 
win a sustainable lunch box, made from organic material instead of plastic.

We at Applus+ have encouraged our employees to take part in the race and have given a commemorative t-shirt to all participants and their families.

Applus+ has once again been included in the “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2023” list jointly created by 
The Financial Times and Statista, which recognises companies that have made significant efforts to 
reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability.

The list, which is published annually, aims to highlight European companies that are leading the 
fight against climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This list is based 
on a number of criteria, such as reducing emissions, intensity of GHG emissions, transparency and 
the assessment of CDP and SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative).

This inclusion confirms the success of the Applus+ climate strat gy and encourages us to
move forward in our commitment to a more sustainable future.
 

In the third edition of the United Nations Climate Ambition Accelerator programme in
Spain, Applus+ took a leading role as a success story participant in the second edition
of the programme.

During the event, we had the privilege of sharing our experiences and the progress we have made after our participation in the programme. The main focus of our presentation was the deployment of the SBTi targets in the Group and the action plans we defined to achieve them.

Our participation in the programme is a recognition of our commitment to the environment
and encourages us to continue to move forward in leading sustainability initiatives.

In the twenty-first monitoring report issued in August 2023 by the United Nations, the performance 
of the Designated Operational Entities (DOE) was evaluated for the period from September to 
December 2022. Applus+ played an outstanding role by issuing a total of 52 verification reports, 
making it the leading entity in the field. DOEs are organisations accredited by the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)  to carry out the validation and verification of emission reduction projects.
 

This programme allows developed countries to invest in emission mitigation projects in developing nations as part of their greenhouse gas reduction commitments, t us contributing to combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Applus+ has installed new fast charging stations for electric vehicles at our facilities in l’Albornar,
Spain. This initiative is in line with our commitment to implementing the latest technologies in the
automotive sector under strict safety and environmental standards.

We currently have 23 charging points in l’Albornar, with power ranging from 50 kW to 400 kW,
strategically distributed across three main stations. These stations are designed for both passenger
and commercial vehicles.

With this expansion, we are continuing our efforts to promote the implementation of sustainable
mobility solutions at our facilities.

In 2023, we have installed solar photovoltaic panels in Colombia to power the equipment comprising
our air and water quality monitoring networks.

This pioneering initiative has not only proven to be economically beneficial by reducing associated
energy costs, but has also strengthened our ability to operate autonomously, increasing our resilience
to potential power supply disruptions.

The incorporation of renewable technologies into our operations plays a key role in minimising the
direct and indirect impacts of our activities on the surrounding ecosystems.

We are continuing to make progress towards the 2022 target of expanding the use of renewable 
electricity.

In 2023, we have achieved 66% of the Group’s operations using electricity from renewable sources. 
This has led to an increase in the amount of green electricity to 68 GWh, which translates into 
savings of more than 15,645 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent and a 81% decrease in GHG emissions compared to a scenario without renewable energy.

This strategic decision has a positive impact on reducing emissions related to electricity 
consumption in our operations and strengthens our identity as an organisation committed to
nmental responsibility.

In our strategic plan, we set out that we wanted to be a carbon neutral company by 2023. Therefore, 
our goal goes beyond meeting our emission reduction targets; we offset the emissions we cannot 
reduce by using carbon credits acquired through investing in sustainable projects.

In 2023, by applying sustainability, innovation and equity criteria, we chose two projects that 
allow us to save 46,555 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) per year.

The Jinkouba hydropower project, with a capacity of 28 MW, is located on the Baishuijiang River in 
Gansu Province, China. It consists of two turbines of 14 MW each, which generate a total of 127,900 
MWh per year. This supply is integrated into the Electrical Grid of the Northwest Region, thus 
displacing power plants that operate with fossil fuels and contributing to the reduction of CO₂ 
equivalent emissions (tCO₂e). This action is estimated to result in an annual decrease of 
approximately 108,689 tons of carbon dioxide.

And the project to implement a 24 MW wind farm in Tamil Nadu, India, with the purpose of reducing 
its dependence on fossil fuels. Consisting of 30 wind turbines, this park generates
45.20 GWh annually, which leads to a significant reduction in emissions of 41,412 tCO₂e, thus 
mitigation of greenhouse gases.
 

We carry out an annual training programme for all professionals in Chile, covering the waste 
recycling process. This training plays a key role in the proper management of waste generated both 
in operational projects and at the headquarters located in Santiago de Chile.

During the programme, staff are trained in the treatment of different types of waste, including 
batteries, mobile devices, toner cartridges, ink cartridges and paper. They are also provided with 
awareness-raising material to support the dissemination of the messages, as well as containers for 
the correct segregation of waste.

Through this initiative, the aim is to train and raise awareness of the protocols and controls that 
are applied in environmental matters, especially with regard to waste management, thus reinforcing 
the company’s commitment to sustainability and caring for the environment.
 

In 2023, Applus+ in Galicia (Spain) launched an initiative with the aim of eradicating the use of  plastic bottles at vehicle technical inspection centres, thus contributing to avoiding the generation of waste and reducing CO₂ emissions.

This initiative, entitled “- Plástico + Planeta. Pequeños cambios contra el gran cambio” (- Plastic 
+ Planet. Small changes against the big change), consisted of providing the workforce with 
stainless steel bottles so that they could fill them at purified water fountains.

The use of refillable bottles avoids the generation of plastic waste. It is important to note that 
plastic production, dumping in the oceans and incineration have significant associated 
environmental impacts on the atmosphere, climate, wildlife and the food chain.

By eliminating plastic bottles, we estimate that we will reduce CO₂ emissions by 3,800 kg per year 
at vehicle inspection stations, while at the same time contributing to promoting a culture of
g our professionals.