Sustainability has become a key focus for industries, governments, and individuals. As environmental challenges grow, the efforts of influential figures in Spain are paving the way for a greener future.
Below is a list of the 25 most influential individuals in sustainability for 2024, showcasing their roles and contributions to environmental progress.
1. Hugo Alfonso Morán
Hugo Alfonso Morán, born in Asturias in 1963, has served as Spain’s Secretary of State for the Environment since 2018. A member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), Morán has also been an active member of the Federal Executive Committee of his party.
2. Valvanera María Ulargui Aparicio
Valvanera Ulargui has been the General Director of the Spanish Office for Climate Change since 2018. She holds a law degree from Complutense University of Madrid and the University CEU San Pablo and completed a business management course at EOI.
3. Nieves Cifuentes Valero
As Corporate Environmental Manager at Naturgy, Nieves Cifuentes focuses on promoting sustainable products and services, fostering new business models in the energy sector.
4. Eugenio Solla
Eugenio Solla, born in Andalucía in 1976, is the Director of Sustainability at CaixaBank, a leader in sustainable financing in Europe. He holds a degree in Business Administration.
5. Sonia Castañeda
Sonia Castañeda is the Deputy Director of the Biodiversity Foundation under the Ministry for Ecological Transition. She also serves as a European regional councilor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
6. María Malaxechevarría Grande
María Malaxechevarría, an industrial engineer specialising in energy technologies, is the General Director of Sustainability at Endesa and a trustee of its foundation.
7. Asunción Ruiz
Asunción Ruiz, born in Madrid in 1966, is the Executive Director of the Spanish Society of Ornithology (SEO/BirdLife), advocating for biodiversity and bird conservation.
8. Ana Gascón Ramos
Ana Gascón is the Director of Packaging Sustainability Strategy for Europe at The Coca-Cola Company. Since June 2023, she has also been President of DIRSE, the Spanish Association of Sustainability Directors.
9. Javier Losada
Javier Losada joined Inditex in 1993 and has been its Sustainability Director since 2019. He previously led risk management and strategic planning departments.
10. Jordi Aycart
Jordi Aycart, an economist specialising in financial and actuarial studies, is Nestlé Spain’s current sustainability lead.
11. Fernando Ferrando
Fernando Ferrando, born in Aragón in 1957, is the President of the Renewable Energy Foundation. He is an industrial engineer and economist dedicated to clean energy advocacy.
12. Tatiana Santos
Tatiana Santos is an expert in environmental policy, particularly chemical regulation. She leads the chemicals area at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).
13. Jorge Villavecchia Barnach-Calbó
Jorge Villavecchia is the CEO of Damm and President of Ecovidrio, focusing on recycling and sustainability in the beverage sector.
14. Víctor Viñuales Edo
Born in Aragón in 1964, sociologist Víctor Viñuales is the Executive Director of the Ecodes Foundation, promoting sustainable development since 1992.
15. Javier de la Cueva
Javier de la Cueva is the Energy Policy Director at Iberdrola, driving energy strategies and sustainability initiatives for the company.
16. Juan Luis Pozo Calderón
Juan Luis Pozo is the Corporate Sustainability Director at Global Omnium, focusing on climate risk analysis and environmental adaptation.
17. Uxúa López Flamarique
An engineer and environmental activist, Uxúa López specializes in renewable energy and is a member of the International Network of 1000 Women Scientists Against Climate Change.
18. Antoni Ballabriga
Antoni Ballabriga is BBVA’s Global Director of Responsible Business and CEO of Momentum Social Investment, an impact investment fund.
19. Yayo Herrero López
Yayo Herrero, born in Madrid in 1965, is an anthropologist, engineer, ecofeminist, and researcher. She currently teaches at the National University of Distance Education (UNED).
20. David Lois
David Lois, a professor and researcher at UNED, studies sustainable urban development and clean mobility strategies for cities.
21. Eva Mengs
Eva Mengs has worked at IKEA since 2000 and became Sustainability Director for IKEA Spain in September 2023.
22. Javier Peña
Javier Peña is a science communicator and environmental activist. He founded the educational platform “Hope! Standing for the Planet” in 2018.
23. Elena Pita
Elena Pita, an agronomist and economist, is the Director of the Biodiversity Foundation, working on resource sustainability and conservation.
24. Ángel Yagüe
Ángel Yagüe leads YAINFE Recycling, a company specialising in metal recycling and circular economy principles.
25. Fernando Valladares
Fernando Valladares, an Argentinian-born biologist, heads the Ecology and Global Change Group at the National Museum of Natural Sciences and is a professor at Rey Juan Carlos University.
This ranking highlights the vital work of professionals shaping sustainability in Spain. Their efforts underline the importance of environmental responsibility for present and future generations. For a complete list of the 500 most influential figures in Spain, visit merca2.es. This article is based on information published by moncloa.com.
Also read: Spain needs 18,000 environmental police