The Princess of Asturias Foundation will calculate and offset the carbon footprint generated during its activities

The Princess of Asturias Foundation reaffirms the commitment it made in 2011 to reduce the environmental impact resulting from its activities. To this end, the Foundation works with the Ecology and Development Foundation (Spanish acronym, ECODES) to offset the carbon footprint resulting from the activities carried out during the celebration of the Princess of Asturias Awards. This commitment has meant that the Princess of Asturias Awards has once again received the net zero CO2 emissions eco-label awarded by ECODES. Issued to businesses and organizations that offset their environmental impact, the Foundation has boasted this certificate since 2012.

The CO2e emissions from the activities organized to mark the Awards Ceremony experienced an overall reduction of 1.54% between 2011 and 2023, with a significant improvement in the indicators being evaluated. The Foundation has managed to effectively reduce emissions per attendee by 28.65kg CO2e, from 36.12kg CO2e (2011) to 7.47kg CO2e (2022). A reduction in emissions per surface area of 41.7kg CO2e has likewise been achieved, from 51.53kg CO2e to 9.83kg CO2e, and of 16.65t CO2e emissions per event, from 19.59t CO2e to 2.94t CO2e. Also worth highlighting is the decrease in paper consumption emissions by 94.23%, from 10.764t CO2e in 2011 to 0.62t CO2e in 2023.

The Foundation is to offset its carbon footprint through the “Musi River” renewable hydroelectric energy project on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Located in rural Sumatra, this hydroelectric project harnesses the flow of the Musi River to generate clean energy for the grid. The project generates local employment and new sources of income and has funded infrastructure improvements and a reforestation programme.

Via its net zero emissions eco-label and programme, ECODES works to enable Spanish companies and organizations to calculate, offset and reduce their carbon footprint. The offsetting consists of a voluntary monetary contribution for each metric ton of CO2e generated to a project that avoids or captures the same amount of CO2e.

In addition to the aforementioned offset, the Foundation’s environmental commitment includes reducing its carbon footprint. Accordingly, this year it will have six hybrid vehicles at its disposal to be used by Princess of Asturias Foundation staff to get about.