Abengoa's Spain headquarters earns LEED Platinum certification

Waste-to-biofuels company Abengoa has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which has awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification to its headquarters, Campus Palmas Altas, in Seville Spain. The complex of buildings located in Seville achieved a score of 54 points from a maximum of 61 (LEED-CSV2 and earlier), obtaining the highest score in its category worldwide.

LEED is a voluntary certification system developed by the US Green Building Council for sustainable buildings, which recognizes best practices in building construction, with the aim of improving the overall environmental impact of this industry. Certification is based on incorporating systems that contribute to energy efficiency, the use of alternative energy, improved indoor environmental quality, efficiency of water consumption, the sustainable development of open spaces at the site and the selection of materials, among other factors.

There are four certification levels: certificate (LEED Certificate), silver (LEED Silver), gold (LEED Gold) and platinum (LEED Platinum).

To date, 5,048 buildings around the world have achieved LEED Platinum certification in different categories. The category that includes Abengoa's headquarters features 118 buildings, led by Campus Palmas Altas with 54 points, ranking it first worldwide.

Campus Palmas Altas (CPA), opened in 2009, is a complex of seven buildings that comprise Abengoa's current global headquarters. It is also home to one of the campuses of Loyola University Andalusia. The complex was designed by British architect Richard Rogers in collaboration with the Spanish firm Luis Vidal y Asociados. It has a total constructed area of 50,000 square meters and 66 percent of the energy consumed on campus is produced on-site from renewable energy sources. It is also designed to reduce annual CO2 emissions by up to 1,670 tons.

The Campus Palmas Altas complex has received several awards and distinctions since it opened. In 2010 it received the "Excellence in Design" award from the American Institute of Architects (UK). In the same year it also received a "RIBA European Award" and the first prize for Sustainability in Real Estate Investment 2010 awarded by Union Investment Real Estate AG, one of the most important real estate management firms in Europe.

Furthermore, some of the company's other offices, such as those in Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, have been previously recognized by the US Green Building Council after obtaining LEED Gold and LEED Silver certifications respectively.

This latest distinction will reaffirm Abengoa's commitment to the environment and consolidate its leading position for sustainability around the world.