Elvira Carles Brescolí, Director of the Empresa y Clima Foundation, holds a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Barcelona; a Master’s in Water Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia; and a Master’s in Occupational Risk Prevention from the same university. She has also completed several courses at ESADE Business School in Barcelona.
Her involvement with the Empresa y Clima Private Foundation responds to the latent demand from companies of all sectors and sizes in addressing the needs, doubts, and questions raised by environmental regulations and, specifically, the climate emergency. Her professional experience spans various fields. Before being appointed Chief Executive of the Foundation in February 2008, she was Head of the Environment Department at the Chamber of Commerce and Navigation of Barcelona, a position she held since 2000.
Throughout her career, she has led departments focused on the management, treatment, and recovery of industrial and urban waste in several companies. In an earlier stage of her career, Elvira Carles established various water analysis and control laboratories for subsequent treatment and distribution. Companies she has worked for include: Browning-Ferris Industries; Gestió Tractament i Recuperació; Eco-logica; and Societat General d’Aigües de Barcelona.
In the academic field, Elvira Carles has taught final-year courses in Pharmacy, Biology, and Chemistry at the University of Barcelona, as well as in various postgraduate and Master’s programs on waste treatment, water, energy, and climate change. She is particularly known for her analysis of the outcomes of the United Nations Conferences of the Parties (COPs), having participated as an Observer in every COP since 2008.
She also serves as an advisory member of the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) Commission on Environment and Energy, President of the Governing Body of the Environmental Certification Committee of the German group TÜV Rheinland, and member of the Environmental Commission of the College of Senior Engineers of Catalonia, among other responsibilities.