Sustainability
Acque Bresciane is a young company that, since its foundation, has decided to build its identity on a strong vision of sustainability. The watchword is concreteness: behaviour consistent with our values and measurement of the achievement of the set objectives.
Sustainability is a conscious choice, a business style. Only through the full involvement of every person in Acque Bresciane is it possible to build a widespread culture of sustainability, both in the company and in the territory.
Acque Bresciane adheres to numerous networks as it believes that the contamination and sharing of processes, ideas and projects on the subject of sustainability is fundamental, as well as participating in numerous events and exhibitions on the subject. Among the main networks to which the company adheres are:
- Kyoto Club
- IAERE
- CSR and social innovation exhibition
- Sodalitas Foundation
- REF research
- Utilitalia Sustainability Working Group
Acque Bresciane in 2020 signed the "Lombardy Protocol for Sustainable Development" committing itself with its own program of commitments, composed of various actions, aimed at achieving the objectives of the UN 2030 Agenda, in the regional territory.
Acque Bresciane on 28 April 2021 was included among the 150 Italian companies "Leaders in Sustainability" project of Il Sole 24 Ore and Statista; the research took into consideration over 1,500 companies operating in Italy selected for having published, in recent years, their own sustainability report (CSR report) and the analysis was based on the three macro areas of sustainability: environmental, social and corporate governance.
Acque Bresciane on 10 June 2021 was awarded as one of the 20 best companies in Lombardy "L'impresa oltre l'impresa" ("The enterprise beyond the enterprise") that, with the crisis of the Covid 19 epidemic, have distinguished themselves with innovative strategies in favour of the reference territory to activate a virtuous mechanism of promotion of good practices that can be reproduced. The award, promoted by the Lombardy Region in collaboration with Il Sole 24 ORE, highlighted the sustainability project entitled: "Progetto Archimede. The thrust of water".
Acque Bresciane on 26 January 2022 was included among the 100 most climate-conscious companies in Italy, a project of Il Corriere della Sera; Statista's research aimed for the first time to reward the companies that have reduced their carbon intensity the most in Italy in 2020. To do so, a rigorous analysis was conducted based on publicly available data in ESG reports, balance sheets or sustainability reports. The list of the best 100 Italian companies, from 22 different sectors, in which Acque Bresciane has emerged is the result of an analysis of more than 700 Italian companies.
Benefit Society
Acque Bresciane on May 4, 2022 completed its transformation into a Benefit Society.
Benefit Societies (SBs) represent an evolution of the very concept of a company: they integrate into their business model, the purpose of having a positive impact on society and the biosphere. With this statutory transformation, transparency and stakeholder benefits definitely enter the corporate DNA. It is a transformation on a voluntary basis, the first in Italy for an Integrated Water Service utility, which commits it to achieving four objectives for the benefit of stakeholders.
This decision does not change the basic structure of the company, which remains a fully public limited company, but it allows Acque Bresciane to be even more of a protagonist of our times and lead the transition to a more just, inclusive and sustainable society.
At a time of climate emergency and social urgency, Acque Bresciane is committed to giving back more to the community and territory that allow it to do what it does.
As many goals and indicators are linked to the four identified benefits. This is something that will engage the company from the perspective of budgeting, financial assumptions, reporting and transparency.
Green Loan and Second Part Opinion
Acque Bresciane signed in September 2021 with a pool of banks and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti a 202 million euro loan to support its sustainable development and circular economy projects. The financing is divided into three different lines of credit, including a 95 million euro Green Loan aimed at covering green investments in the business plan.
The loan, disbursed over four years, will enable the implementation of interventions in line with the goals of Agenda 2030, which include circular economy projects, environmental sustainability, and efficient use of resources and energy.
These types of interventions are:
resolution of EU infringement procedures due to the absence or inadequacy of wastewater collection and treatment facilities
water network upgrades and new realizations, with the aim of further improving the quality of tap water, encouraging plastic-free behavior
reuse of purified water and reduction of sludge, thanks to innovative biodrying techniques
Annual monitoring activity was conducted in May 2022 by independent and qualified evaluators in order to assess the amount actually used for "Green" investments, with analysis of investments made and monitoring of indicators.
The analysis determined that the share of the proceeds of the first tranche actually used for "Green" investments was €45,559,109.
Diversity & Inclusion (D&I)
In the European Diversity Month #EUDiversityMonth, May 2021, Acque Bresciane launches the "Every Person Makes a Difference" campaign.
Adhering to the Utilitalia Pact on Diversity and Inclusion and to the Charter for Equal Opportunities and Equality at Work of the Sodalitas Foundation, an ad hoc internal Committee, the Acque Bresciane D&I Manifesto and a program with concrete actions for 2021 have been created, starting from training and interventions to support parenting and to monitor the gender gap.
Acque Bresciane, in coherence with its Founding Values and People Strategy, has decided to build its identity on a strong vision of sustainability with People at the center of the strategy: for this reason the promotion of diversity and inclusion are key imperatives. For Acque Bresciane there are no differences in gender, religious beliefs, nationality, political or sexual orientation, social status, physical abilities, health conditions, family, age or any other irrelevant aspect.
The actions planned for 2021 and inspired by the Manifesto circulated to all employees, include training and awareness-raising on the value of diversity and inclusion, the creation of tutors for inclusion and ambassadors who will support the work of the Internal Committee, personnel policies on training, recruitment and remuneration that identify concrete and measurable objectives for gender reported in the sustainability report, the provision of concrete tools for parents to reconcile work and life times.
Riflessi - our magazine
Reflections reminds us of mirrors of water, the play of the sun on the glass, but also the exercise of reason. In our increasingly digital world, reaction times are practically zero. But reflection is not a waste of time. It is an inner exercise, it requires eyes and mind well opened to gather information and knowledge that can help us to have an opinion.
This is the objective of our magazine, which was born with a very precise identity, that of Acque Bresciane, of which it will also recount some innovative projects, but with a much broader horizon: to be a place for debate, to offer ideas for knowledge, to delve into current issues. A quarterly magazine that people will enjoy reading, even those who do not work in our sector, because water, the environment and sustainability are issues that affect the lives of all of us. A rigorous product in terms of data, but understandable and pleasant to leaf through, thanks to an editorial staff of communication experts.
March 22 is World Water Day. Symbolically, we have chosen this date for the release of the first issue of this magazine.
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Acque Bresciane towards Carbon Neutrality
A long-term strategy (measure, reduce, offset), scientifically based and transparent: this is the path Acque Bresciane has chosen to achieve Carbon Neutrality and contain the increase in global temperature. This commitment started with the calculation of the carbon footprint in 2020 (scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3) and the complete offsetting of carbon dioxide emissions, reduction of emissions by 2021 by at least 40% thanks to the purchase of 100% of electricity from renewable sources with a guarantee of origin and the commitment to obtain the validation of its objectives by the international network Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). All this is reported transparently in the Sustainability Report 2020.
The carbon footprint analysis was carried out following two standards, the GHG protocol and the UNI EN ISO 14064-1:2019 standard for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and their removal. The application of these two tools allows monitoring of GHG emissions related to business activities in a year, following a transparent and standardized methodology, which defines how to conduct emission analysis and perform time comparisons.
Three projects have been chosen to offset 2020 greenhouse gas emissions, all certified with standards recognized by the United Nations, Gold Standard and Verified Carbon Standard, the construction of a wind farm in Turkey, the construction of a new hydroelectric plant in India and, finally, the initiative in Africa, REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) which supports forest conservation.
In calculating its carbon footprint, Acque Bresciane relied on technical advice from Carbonsink, a leading Italian company in net-zero decarbonisation and climate risk management strategies for companies.
Ambassadors of sustainability
Our corporate community, employees and close collaborators, in fact "are" Acque Bresciane. This is why we have created the conditions for employees, temporary workers and resources with active apprenticeships to be increasingly involved in building sustainability, to have a say in the choices made by the company and to act as spokespeople internally and externally for the projects and commitments implemented in the field of sustainability.
Through a voluntary and participatory process open to all employees, we have selected 6 Sustainability Ambassadors (4 women and 2 men). They will be active from September 2021 and will each be responsible for a specific theme, in conjunction with the Sustainability Manager and corporate strategies.
To create and spread a real and modern culture of corporate sustainability, everyone needs to be involved. #Every person counts
ABCommunity
Transparency, listening and sustainability are values and key words present in the Charter of Fundamentals of our company and, in compliance with them, Acque Bresciane engages in activities of constant dialogue and interaction with its stakeholders in order to understand their needs, interests and expectations in relation to the company's projects: industrial and/or in close connection with the theme of sustainability.
ABCommunity is the "container" of every initiative that Acque Bresciane has launched and is launching in terms of stakeholder involvement. At the moment we have gone through some stages:
- Creation of the stakeholder map: mapping of subjects with whom constant relations have been established over time, defining the level of influence they have on the actions of the company, and vice versa
- Creation of the Materiality Matrix for the purposes of annual reporting through the Sustainability Report
- Appointments for information and discussion such as conferences and seminars
- Website with immediate and transparent access to all information
- Local physical point for the provision of services and listening to people
- Actions aimed at organizational wellbeing and listening to workers.
A new project has been added to all these projects: the multi-stakeholder table.
THE MULTI-STAKEHOLDER TABLE
The multi-stakeholder table is a permanent working table that meets 4 times a year in 2021 and is composed of a selection of stakeholders identified according to criteria of territoriality, competence, knowledge and relationship. Through a facilitated conduction, the table:
- Involves each stakeholder in the achievement of one or more of the 9 Objectives included in the "Sustainability Plan 2045" through the proposal of ideas and projects related to the Objectives themselves and the definition of a realistic path for their realization
- Defines the individual phases of the projects proposed and approved by the working group, the KPIs, the communication actions relevant to the projects themselves
- Starts their co-design with Acque Bresciane that commits itself to
- Carry them out in a defined and shared time frame
- Identify and maintain an adequate budget for their realization
- Report on the progress of each approved project.
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ABACO Training Course - Acque Bresciane Academy for Communities
The Excellence in 2022 training course was designed together with SMAE-Unibs for people engaged in administrative activity, aware that, today more than ever, the chance to make a difference depends on skills. The course proposes a sustainable and strategic view of public services, with a focus on the water sector and local governments. It also aims to develop solid decision-making skills and offers important networking opportunities, combining interventions from the world of research and institutions, with case studies from the experience of Acque Bresciane managers.
The first edition of the course saw the involvement of 24 different municipalities for a total of 29 enrolled; speakers included personalities from authoritative realities such as Ref Ricerche, Arera, Utilitalia, Aato, University of Brescia and Milan Polytechnic, with the delivery of certificates in the presence of philosopher Prof. Umberto Galimberti.
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Sustainability rating
A voluntary (solicited) path, which can be accessed only by companies that produce a Sustainability Report drawn up according to GRI international standards. The Sustainability Rating, or ESG Rating, briefly measures the company's ability to manage environmental issues, such as carbon dioxide emissions and attention to natural capital, social issues such as welfare and respect for diversity among employees, governance issues, such as ethics and transparency, and finally the distribution of the economic value generated.
With reference to the year 2020, Acque Bresciane obtained a score of 73.1 points, moving from class BBB to class A compared to the previous year. A result that, by placing the company among the best companies dealing with water service, testifies to its continuous path of improvement.
In particular, in the environmental sphere, considerable progress has been achieved in the field of decarbonisation, with the purchase of energy from renewable sources and compensation actions, as well as in leakage management and energy efficiency.
In the social field, by adhering to the Utilitalia Pact and the Charter for Equal Opportunities and Equality of Fondazione Sodalitas, the company has committed to adopting policies aimed at reducing gender inequality and promoting ever greater inclusion.
The rating was attributed by the Cerved Rating Agency, one of the most authoritative agencies in the sector and a leader in Europe in terms of the number of non-financial corporate credit ratings assigned.
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Cesare Trebeschi Award
There are testimonies - of civic engagement, dialogue, even faith - that deserve to transcend the space of a life, however long and fruitful. Some Brescian realities, agreeing that Cesare Trebeschi is one of them, have promoted from 2020 onward an Award named after him, "The Art of the Common Good." Target students from secondary schools in the province of Brescia, called to "meet" Trebeschi through his writings and the testimonies of those who knew him, and to communicate with photographs or videos their idea sustainability. Not only environmental, but also cultural, with that openness to differences that the lawyer Trebeschi always pointed out as the high road for the coexistence of cities and communities.
Eleven promoters-Acque bresciane, Associazione artisti bresciani, Fondazione AIB, Fondazione ASM, Fondazione Brescia Musei, Fondazione Cogeme, Giovani Imprenditori di Confindustria Brescia, Fondazione Museke, Acli Provinciali di Bresciane APS, Fondazione Sipec and Laba-were sponsored by the Province of Brescia, the municipalities of Brescia and Cellatica, Trebeschi's hometown, and in collaboration with the provincial school office.
Students, who participated individually or as a class, were asked to represent the values of sustainability with photographs or videos. The three best entries for the individual works section and the same number for the collective works section were awarded e-bikes and vouchers for hi-tech products for individuals, while for schools vouchers and educational experiences offered by the Laba Academy and Fondazione Brescia Musei.
Corporate volunteering - Every gesture counts
Some employees of Acque Bresciane already involved in the theme of Sustainability, with to the Mayor of Toscolano Maderno, Delia Castellini, carried out on May 13, 2022, the first day of corporate volunteering in cooperation with Legambiente aimed at cleaning the beach and meadows in the vicinity of the shore of Toscolano Maderno.
"Concreteness" is our watchword we managed to collect 32 kg of undifferentiated waste, 3 kg between glass and aluminum, 400 gr of plastic and 400 gr of cigarette butts for a total of 36 kg of waste. A small gesture that allowed us to do good for the environment in a concrete way.
An excellent result made possible by the support of the municipality, Fondazione Sodalitas and Legambiente volunteers, who provided the necessary training and equipment.
LIFE SALVAGuARDiA
LIFE SALVAGuARDiA is the project funded by the European LIFE program that aims to result in a campaign to raise awareness and reduce environmental impact in the Garda area.
Acque Bresciane has joined the project as a partner, to support the environmental empowerment campaign involving all the main stakeholders of the Garda territory. Through an elaborate path of collaboration among stakeholders, LIFE SALVAGuARDiA puts in place concrete actions aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change on the Garda territory.
Acque Bresciane, together with tourism, agricultural and production companies wants to carry forward the primary objective of the project, the dissemination of an environmental culture capable of translating into sustainable choices and actions of concrete safeguarding of the territory.
Glaciers. Climate change exhibition
As part of the path to sustainability, one of the fundamental elements is to spread knowledge about the territory and the impacts of climate change.
For this reason Acque Bresciane has promoted the exhibition "Glaciers", from Saturday 26 June to 24 October 2021 at the Musil in Cedegolo it will be possible to visit it, signed by the MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, enriched by sections on the territory of Valle Camonica and the Adamello glacier. The initiative is promoted by Musil and Acque Bresciane.
More information by clicking here
Drops of sustainability in the water service
In 2020 and 2021, Acque Bresciane, in collaboration with Laba (Libera Accademia di Belle Arti di Brescia), promoted the development of a communication project to enhance the value of water purifiers, a graphic/educational project on the subject of the sustainability of water resources aimed at adolescents and the creation of an exhibition on the Circular Economy using waste materials linked to the integrated water cycle.
The collaboration stems from the desire to broaden the concept of "sustainability", linked to the water cycle and the circular economy, by involving different artistic forms (photography, fashion, design). The competition and the works have converged in a traveling exhibition launched in December 2021 on the territory with the following stages:
-Brescia (Museo delle Mille Miglia) from December 2 to December 13, 2021
-Desenzano del Garda (Galleria Civica Bosio) from February 12 to February 27, 2022
Commitment for a #Plasticfree territory: water and sport
The GimondiBike is an international mountain bike race, dedicated to the great champion from Bergamo, Felice Gimondi, which takes place in September in Iseo (BS), Franciacorta, and involves over 1,000 participants every year.
With the support of Acque Bresciane in the September 2021 race, 8,000 plastic bottles have been completely eliminated, equal to 105 kilograms of plastic, 280 liters of oil and 140kg of CO2 released into the atmosphere. A more and more eco-friendly GimondiBike with the substitution of eight pallets of water with that coming from the aqueduct in the three refreshment points created ad hoc with fountains in Passirano, Provaglio d'Iseo and Iseo, also for drinks such as tea (cold and hot), salt supplement, mint syrup and lemon syrup. Tap water instead of bottled water: in tune with the environment and the means used by the participants.
Acque Bresciane with MUSE for biotope
On Friday, October 30, 2022, the inauguration of the biotope, a <<small oasis of biodiversity, home to aquatic insects, amphibians and birds, which aims to be an open-air laboratory for study, nature conservation and educational activities related to Citizen Science>> was organized at MUSE in Trento.
The biotope covers about 2,000 square meters, 600 of which are occupied by a body of water (1.80 m deep) and another 200 by marshland area. A precious treasure chest of city biodiversity, an "unexpected" natural space that has already become home to several animal species such as dragonflies, emerald toads and birds, and where more than 4,000 specimens of 80 native aquatic and marsh botanical species have been planted, some of them very rare or almost disappeared from the wetlands of Trentino.
Acque Bresciane, increasingly committed to the issue of biodiversity, contributed to the implementation of the project as a sponsor. In addition, thanks to the company's expertise and long experience in the field of environmental education, it also created at the request of MUSE an educational panel on the value of water, including a QR code with tips on how to save it.
In-depth links: MUSE Biotope