Decarbonisation is the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO₂ in order to achieve a carbon-neutral economy. This global challenge is also a strategic opportunity for companies.
Through the European Green Deal, the European Union has set the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 (European Commission, 2019). This implies profound transformations in industry, energy and mobility.
For companies, decarbonisation is not only a matter of sustainability: it is a key factor of competitiveness in an increasingly demanding market. Decarbonisation plans, the path to business competitiveness | auma
Decarbonisation as a driver of competitiveness
For the business world, decarbonisation implies a thorough review of processes, the establishment of new strategies and collaboration throughout the entire supply chain. The competitive benefits include:
- Innovation and efficiency: The transition towards clean technologies, electrification or the use of renewable heat in industrial processes, such as that promoted by the EU IF25 Heat Auction pilot auction, drives innovation and energy efficiency.
- Risk management and resilience: Addressing the climate emergency and social pressure mitigates reputational and operational risk, while strengthening the resilience of the supply chain.
- Regulatory compliance and access to finance: Legislation such as the new directive on corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD) increases transparency and the emphasis on sustainability, which is increasingly key to accessing green finance.
- Leadership positioning: Companies that invest in clean technologies and reduce their emissions position themselves as world leaders, anticipating the future demands of customers and partners.
How auma can help in your company’s decarbonisation process
1.-Strategic and technical advice
At auma we understand that every company has unique challenges, which is why we offer tailored solutions to support you through this transformation. As a consultancy specialising in the environmental and energy sector, we help you define your roadmap towards carbon neutrality.
- Energy audit and emissions diagnosis: The first step is carrying out studies and reports to measure the current carbon footprint of the company. This includes identifying the points of greatest energy consumption and CO₂ emission.
- Drawing up a Decarbonisation Plan with realistic milestones aligned with international standards such as (Science Based Targets – BSTi),
- Identification of decarbonisation projects: Determining which investments are technically viable for your facility (e.g. electrification of processes, deployment of renewables for self-consumption, switching from fossil fuels to renewables, improved thermal efficiency or heat recovery systems).
- Viability assessment: Carrying out economic and technical feasibility studies for the proposed projects, ensuring that the emissions reduction target is met cost-effectively.
2.–Project management and execution
In addition to consultancy, we act in the implementation phase.
- Engineering and design: Development of the engineering projects needed for the construction or modification of the infrastructure (e.g. design of a new self-consumption installation or adaptation of an industrial plant).
- Construction management: Supervision of the construction of environmental infrastructure and industrial plants to ensure that the project is executed correctly, meeting the deadlines and the requirements that formed the basis of the aid application.
- Owner’s engineering: we guarantee the success, profitability and quality of the project.
3.-Management and processing of aid and grants
This is one of the most valuable services, given the complexity of European (Next Generation EU) and national (PERTE, IDAE) funds.
Precisely this past Monday, the European Commission (EC), approved the Spanish Government’s 408-million-euro plan aimed at promoting the decarbonisation of industry, considering it to be in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This Spanish State aid scheme aims to facilitate the transformation towards a net-zero emissions economy and will be financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (MRR)
In this respect, what we offer you from auma is:
- Detecting funding opportunities: We identify which aid programmes (Decarbonisation PERTE, IDAE lines, ACCIÓ or LIFE calls, etc.) best fit the type of your project and your sector. PERTE, https://icaen.gencat.cat, https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life_en.
- Preparing the technical and administrative documentation: Decarbonisation projects financed by Next Generation require very specific and complex documentation (emissions reduction calculations, detailed budgets, environmental impact analysis, etc.). auma will take care of preparing all this documentation in accordance with the requirements of the call.
- Compliance (DNSH): We ensure that the project complies with the «Do No Significant Harm» (DNSH) principle, a mandatory requirement for any Next Generation EU fund.
- Monitoring and justification: Once the aid has been granted, we take care of monitoring the project and of the complicated task of justifying its execution to the granting body (Ministry, IDAE, etc.), which is crucial in order to receive the funds.