Introduction to Sustainable Construction

Module 1. Construction and Environment

VALENTN ALFAYA ARIAS

Quality and Environment Director. FERROVIAL
Ph.D. in Biology (Complutense University, Madrid) and
M.Sc. in Engineering and Environmental Management
(EOI Business School, Madrid). Dr. Alfaya started his
professional career 25 years ago in the forestry sector
and later he moved to engineering and consulting
activities and further to the heavy construction and
infrastructures sectors.
For more than 5 years he was leading the Environment Department at
FERROVIAL AGROMN, where he was responsible for designing and
implementing the first Environmental Management System (EMS) in the
world conceived for a construction company. In 2002 he was appointed
Quality, Environment and H&S Director, as well as member of the
Executive Committee of the Ferrovials construction business. In 2004 he
was appointed Quality and Environment Director at the corporate level.
From this position, he was also appointed as Chief Risk Officer (CRO),
playing this role until June 2008.
Master in European Construction Engineering

Introduction to Sustainable Construction

Module 1. Construction and Environment

Dr. Alfaya is General Secretary of the Green Building Council in Spain,

member of the Advisory Board of the Biodiversity Foundation (Spanish
Ministry of Environment), vice-president of the Green Building Council
(Spain) and member of the Sustainability and Environment Committee of
the CEOE (Spanish Entrepreneurs Association), member of the Advisory
Workgroup for Certification and the Executive Committee of the Spanish
National Accreditation Body (ENAC). He also takes part in several
multistakeholder and dialogue forums (EU Green Growth Group, The
Corporate Leaders Group, One Planet Business, Social Innovation
Institute at the ESADE Business School, Luis Vives Foundation). Dr.
Alfaya is currently involved as an expert in regulatory processes on urban
planning, energy efficiency, mobility and biodiversity management.
Dr. Alfaya usually takes part as lecturer in numerous meetings on
sustainability, corporate responsibility, environmental management and
engineering, amongst other issues. He also gives regular teaching in
several universities and business schools.

Master in European Construction Engineering

Introduccin a la Construccin Sostenible

Modulo 1. Construccin y Medio Ambiente

VALENTN ALFAYA ARIAS

Director de Calidad y Medio Ambiente. FERROVIAL
Doctor en Biologa (Universidad Complutense, Madrid)
y Mster en Ingeniera y Gestin Ambiental (EOI
Escuela de Negocios, Madrid). El Dr. Alfaya comenz
su carrera profesional hace 25 aos en el sector
forestal y ms tarde con actividades de consultora de
ingeniera, que posteriormente ampli a temas de
construccin pesada y los sectores de infraestructuras.
Durante ms de 5 aos dirigi el Departamento de Medio Ambiente de
Ferrovial Agromn, donde fue responsable del diseo y la aplicacin del
primer Sistema de Gestin Ambiental en el mundo concebido para una
empresa de construccin. En 2002 fue nombrado director de Calidad,
Medio Ambiente y Seguridad y Salud, as como miembro del Comit
Ejecutivo de la actividad de construccin de Ferrovial. En 2004 fue
nombrado Director de Calidad y Medio Ambiente a nivel corporativo. Desde
esta posicin, tambin fue nombrado Director de Riesgo (CRO),
desempeando este papel hasta junio de 2008.
Master in European Construction Engineering

Introduccin a la Construccin Sostenible

Modulo 1. Construccin y Medio Ambiente

El Dr. Alfaya es Secretario General del Consejo de Construccin Verde de

Espaa, miembro del Consejo Asesor de la Fundacin Biodiversidad
(Ministerio de Medio Ambiente espaol), vice-presidente del Consejo de
Construccin Verde (Espaa) y miembro del Comit de Sostenibilidad y
Medio Ambiente la CEOE (Asociacin de Empresarios de Espaa),
miembro del grupo de trabajo consultivo para la Certificacin y el Comit
Ejecutivo de la Entidad Nacional de Acreditacin espaola (ENAC).
Tambin participa en varios foros de representacin y dilogo (Grupo
Crecimiento Verde de la UE, grupo de lderes empresariales,, One Planet
Business, Instituto de Innovacin Social de la escuela de negocios
ESADE, Fundacin Luis Vives ...). El Dr. Alfaya actualmente participa
como experto en procesos de regulacin en materia de planificacin
urbana, eficiencia energtica, movilidad y gestin de la biodiversidad.
El Dr. Alfaya generalmente participa como conferenciante en numerosas
reuniones sobre la sostenibilidad, la responsabilidad corporativa, la
gestin ambiental y la ingeniera, entre otros temas. Tambin imparte
enseanza regular en varias universidades y escuelas de negocios.
Master in European Construction Engineering