Each of the company’s activities are performed in accordance with its model of sustainable development, which attempts to strike a happy balance that maximizes the benefits for everyone while observing applicable law and upholding the strictest levels of integrity and transparency. Corporate social responsibility at Abengoa therefore forms part of its business strategy and its daily operations.

In keeping with Abengoa’s unwavering commitment to management transparency, integrity and good governance, all of which underpin relations with its stakeholders, and following on from the approach initiated in 2008, an Independent Panel of Experts in Sustainable Development (IPESD) will conduct an assessment of the company and draw up a raft of conclusions, which Abengoa will publish in this report.

For further information please consult the Report on the Conclusions of the IPESD

Transparency and the fight against corruption

In 2007, the year the decision was made to include within Abengoa’s Professional Code of Conduct an express declaration on the company’s adherence to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, as approved by the UN General Assembly in 2003.

This text is intended to foster and bolster measures to prevent and combat corruption more effectively, while encouraging, facilitating and supporting international cooperation and technical assistance in preventing and fighting against corruption, including the recovery of assets, and promoting integrity, the obligation to render accounts and proper management of public affairs and assets.

Over the course of 2009, the Internal Audit Department issued over five hundred audit reports, which included, among other aspects, the results of the audits and analyses of the risks associated with corruption in those companies classified as material. The company also conducted fifty legal audits to complement the audit reports, the aim being to unearth situations that could be classified as corrupt.

Furthermore, and as a practical step, Abengoa inserted a mandatory and binding clause in its agency and services intermediation agreements or contracts, whereby collaborators undertake in writing not to engage in unlawful practices or those that could be considered corrupt, abusive or biased.

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2009 did see more than 120 training courses in the company’s Common Management Systems, which taught participants specific procedures for managing risks associated with corruption and for implementing anti-corruption policies within the companies.

The company has an IT application based on these Common Management Systems that can be consulted by all users at any time to broaden their awareness of the company’s anti-corruption policies and procedures.

Likewise, Abengoa’s Code of Professional Conduct is available for consultation via la company’s Intranet (Connect@), to which all employees have access, and also via the company’s website. All changes made to the code are duly communicated throughout the entire organization without exceptions and without delay.

Abengoa’s information channels show no record in 2009 of any corruption-related incidents within the company.

In 2009 there aren´t fines significants sanctions for noncompliance with laws and regulations.

Abengoa Values

Abengoa’s model of corporate social responsibility is also rooted in a raft of values that nowadays constitute the foundations of its Code of Ethics and form part of its business culture. By harnessing all available channels, the company fosters awareness and the application of these values and implements control and review mechanisms that ensure they are correctly monitored and updated.

Of these values, the following are worthy of particular note due to their importance:

  • Integrity: Honesty in professional conduct is a hallmark of Abengoa’s identity and is evident in all the actions of its personnel, both within and outside the company. Integrity is a core value of our employees and the company as a whole in dealings with customers, suppliers, shareholders, the communities in which we operate and society in general.
  • Legality: Compliance with the law is not only an external requirement and, therefore, a binding obligation on the company, but also encompasses respect for the law, which provides our actions with added security and cushions business risks.
  • Professional rigor: The concept of professionalism at Abengoa is closely linked to our desire to provide high levels of service when engaging in business and to become thoroughly involved in the business project at hand. All of our actions must adhere to the notion of professional responsibility and are governed by the principles set forth in the Common Management Systems.
  • Confidentiality: Abengoa expects its employees to exercise discretion and prudence in their communications and relations with third parties, the aim being to safeguard the information to which the company has access.
  • Quality: Abengoa is unflinchingly committed to quality in all of its internal and external endeavors. Far from being a task exclusive to the management or a specific group of people, this commitment governs the daily activities of all members of the company. Abengoa incorporates specific rules on quality, which are the product of its knowledge, common sense, rigor, order and responsibility in conducting business.
Abengoa Code of Conduct

The honesty, integrity and sound judgment of employees, executives and directors is essential to the company’s reputation and success. The Code of Conduct governs the working relationships within the company between its employees and stakeholders.

Abengoa’s Code of Conduct is published on the company’s website www.abengoa.com and can be consulted at any time.