Global sustainability leader José Manuel Entrecanales awarded honorary doctorate

RMIT Council has recognised the Spanish businessman’s contributions to sustainability and innovation across the clean energy and regenerative infrastructure sectors with the award of an Honorary Doctorate of Business honoris causa.

Entrecanales is the Chairman and CEO of ACCIONA, a global business headquartered in Spain with a significant Australian business, that is focused on sustainable solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation, resilience and the decarbonisation of the economy.

Originally a construction company, ACCIONA – under Entrecanales’ leadership – has transformed to become a global leader in infrastructure and renewable energy with sustainability as its hallmark.

The company has since expanded to more than 40 countries and focuses on contributing to economic and social development while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The company has been present in Australia since 2002. In 2009, ACCIONA Energía energised operations on the Waubra Wind Farm in Victoria (192MW), at the time the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere.

ACCIONA is a leader in the development of transport infrastructure including a significant component of Victoria's Level Crossing Removal project, which is improving safety and reducing congestion, and the M80 Ring Road Completion that will seamlessly connect people across Victoria.

As part of a national portfolio, they are also delivering stage two of the Western Harbour Tunnel in Sydney, introducing design changes that will reduce construction impacts on the community and the environment.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Society and Environment

17 May 2024

Entrecanales accepting his award at the podium.

Speaking at RMIT’s doctoral degree ceremony, Entrecanales encouraged future leaders to embrace the responsibility, as well as the opportunity, to craft a better future for humanity through economic growth, societal progress, and environmental positive impact.

“It is up to us to redefine the role of corporations from mere engines of economic wealth to powerful catalysts of change; from entities that inhabit the conventional division between 'workers' and 'capital' to ones that combine the ambitions of both into a unified endeavour: crafting a better future for humanity through economic growth, societal progress, and environmental positive impact,” Entrecanales said.

With a focus on deepening transdisciplinary understanding, ACCIONA actively collaborates with academic institutions and research centres to promote sustainable practices in the construction sector that benefit both society and the environment.

The business has invested in research into innovative construction materials, offshore wind foundation solutions and digital technologies that reduce environmental impact while enhancing the resilience and longevity of infrastructure, energy, and water projects.

Entrecanales is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact, the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition of the World Bank and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

RMIT Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Business and Law and Vice-President, Professor Mathews Nkhoma, said Entrecanales’ commitment to positive change for the greater good was an inspiration to the RMIT community.

“Entrecanales’ career is evidence of the difference that can be made when we collaborate with transparency and creativity to solve the challenges of our time,” he said.

“His efforts to promote sustainability and innovation across the clean energy and regenerative infrastructure sectors, along with a deep commitment to social responsibility, make him a global role-model of positive civic impact.”

This vision has placed ACCIONA at the forefront of sustainable solutions in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, positioning it as a reference company in the industry for its values-driven leadership and ability to create meaningful change.

Entrecanales was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business honoris causa at RMIT University’s doctoral degree ceremony on Friday at the City Campus alongside 97 graduates.

RMIT University also has a presence in Barcelona, Spain, where it established its European Innovation Hub in 2013.

Story: Grace Taylor

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