The Repsol Foundation supports sustainability at the XI SERNAUTO Meeting 

The XI SERNAUTO Meeting, organized by the Spanish Association of Automotive Suppliers at IFEMA and supported by the Repsol Foundation, focused on the integration of sustainability with competitiveness in the automotive sector. Under the slogan “Automotive Suppliers: Sustainability with competitiveness”, leading professionals in the sector analyzed the challenges and opportunities for a sustainable future for the industry. 

The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, opened the event by announcing that on July 4, the PERTE VEC's III call for aid would be published, with 200 million euros aimed at strengthening the sector's value chain. This aid combines grants and loans to support innovative projects that promote sustainability and reindustrialization. 

Josu Jon Imaz, CEO of Repsol, gave an opening talk where he defended an ambitious energy transition that does not harm the industry or employment quality. Imaz stressed the importance of “technological neutrality” and warned that the ban on combustion engines in 2035 could discourage investment in renewable fuels and the efficiency of today's engines. “Competitiveness and industrial employment must be prioritized in this transition, allowing all technologies to compete,” he stated. 

During the meeting, round tables were held where experts such as Tomás Villen, CEO of Porsche Ibérica, Ernesto Barceló, Chief ESG Officer of Gestamp, among others, debated the integration of sustainability in the business strategy. 

António Calçada, executive managing director of the Repsol Foundation, presented 'Green Engine', the biggest project for large-scale reforestation on the Iberian Peninsula. This project represents the foundation's commitment to decarbonization and reducing CO2 emissions through natural solutions. The XI SERNAUTO Meeting also joined the project to offset emissions generated during the event, which made sure its production and staging were managed sustainably. 

 Cristina San Martín and Carolina López, from SERNAUTO, presented the sector's Sustainability Impact Portal, a tool developed with the support of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and 2030 Agenda. 

Finally, the XI SERNAUTO Meeting concluded with a talk from Juan Bravo, the Popular Party's Deputy Secretary of Economy, who highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration for the development of the automotive sector in Spain.