h e g r o u p
Workplace health and safety
Workplace health and safety policies and
FCC’s position on ethics and integrity, as
set out in its codes of conduct, and on anti-
corruption and bribery also contributed no-
tably to FCC’s inclusion in the DJSI.
Lastly, the experts welcomed the environ-
ment and social action projects undertaken
by Group subsidiaries in their respective
geographical areas. Among the most sa-
lient initiatives they highlighted All-gas, a
project led by Aqualia and Ekostone which
seeks to obtain biodiesel from microalgae
at a slag recovery plant built by FCC Ámbi-
to. In terms of social action, the agreements
signed by the water management subsi-
diary and FCC Construction with universi-
ties and business schools to offer courses
and Masters programmes in those areas
were worthy of mention.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices are
based on an annual assessment of com-
panies, which, together with the regional
indices for North America, Europe, Asia-
Pacific and Korea, are used to create finan-
cial products that focus on long-term value
creation.
awarded Gold Medal for Scientific
Merit by the City of Barcelona
The Barcelona city council awarded Esther Koplowitz the Gold Medal for Scien-
tific Merit, the city’s highest distinction, in recognition of her extraordinary phi-
lanthropic work to promote science, and biomedical research in particular.
The resolution approved by the plenary assembly of Barcelona’s City recognizes
her efforts at the helm of the Esther Koplowitz Foundation, which is dedicated pri-
marily to social work and to helping the most disadvantaged members of society.
The Foundation built and equipped the La Nostra Casa Retirement Home in Fort-
Pienc for elderly people without resources, and the Esther Koplowitz Centre for
Biomedical Research at Hospital Clínic, and donated them to the city of Barce-
lona.
The biomedical research centre, on track to become one of Europe’s leading
facilities in the field, employs more than 350 scientists, i.e. 60% of researchers
at the hospital, who study autoimmune, neurodegenerative, digestive, nutritional,
and infectious diseases, among others.
Esther Koplowitz’s philanthropic work includes the construction and outfitting of
two retirement homes, in Barcelona and in Collado Villalba (Madrid), and a third
home for people with physical and mental disabilities in Valencia.
She also donated a da Vinci robotic surgical system to the San Carlos Clinical
Hospital in Madrid, and provides financial support to other entities, associations,
foundations and NGOs for their humanitarian and aid initiatives.
In addition to the Barcelona Medal, she has received numerous distinctions for
her social and business achievements.
Esther Koplowitz,
