Socio-environmental Code of
Ethics
Principles and Commitments
of Private Electricity Generators
MOTIVATION
The unemployment rate in Brazil is still very high
and the income of the population is among the most
concentrated in the world. To mitigate these problems
and position the country at msore acceptable social
and human levels it is necessary to accelerate growth
and improve the overall income distribution.
In order for this to happen, a fundamental element
is required: energy.
The supply of energy needs to accompany the increase
in consumption generated by economic growth. New power
plants have to be planned for and constructed so that
homes, commerce, manufacturing and public services
are able to satisfy the needs of the population and
generate new jobs and income.
Considering these challenges and seeking a Future that
is better and more inclusive than the Present, the
leaders of the largest private electricity generators
have joined together and drawn up a Socio-environmental
Code of Ethics, a set of principles and commitments
that indicate how power plants under their responsibility
should be constructed and operated, respecting the
three dimensions of Sustainability: Social, Environmental
and Economic.
The objective of this Code is to share with Brazilian
Society the values that guide us, the vision that inspires
us and the mission that we have undertaken in order
to reconcile growth, environment and the community.
It is important that we share with all Brazilians,
in a transparent manner, the challenges that electricity
production present in terms of respect for man, fauna
and flora.
We aspire to much more than limiting ourselves to the
current rigorous compliance with the law. We wish to
go beyond and establish a set of practices guided by
the highest standards of excellence so that quality
of life, natural resources and the environment may
go hand in hand with economic growth, creation of jobs,
increase in income and social inclusion.
This is our commitment to today's generation and to
the generations that will succeed us.
PRINCIPLES
The companies that adhere to this Code respect the
following Principles:
I. Reduction and control of impacts
on the environment;
II. Conservation of biodiversity and
natural resources;
III. Respect for the community;
IV. Education and health as elements
of social transformation;
V. Transparency and dialogue.
COMMITMENTS
The entrepreneurs who sign this document make the following
Commitments in relation to the implementation and operation
of their enterprises:
I. Reduction and control
of impacts on the environment
• Broaden scientific knowledge of aspects related
to the environment and to the society in the regions
where the power plants are located;
• Manage residue, reducing its consumption and,
whenever possible, reutilizing and recycling before
disposing of it;
• Invest in complementary renewable sources of
energy;
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of
environmental quality and take preventive actions to
establish policies, programs and practices that protect
people and the environment;
II. Conservation of
biodiversity and natural resources
• Encourage the development of environmental conservation
projects;
• Stimulate projects to improve energy efficiency
and the rational use of energy;
• Promote the rational use of water and other
natural resources;
III. Respect for the
community
• Support initiatives that promote the sustainable
development of local communities;
• Support and promote the preservation of history
and cultural heritage;
IV. Education and health
as elements of social transformation
• Prioritize actions that promote the educational
and sanitary development of the populations surrounding
the enterprises;
• Promote the community's awareness of the principles
of environmental balance;
V. Transparency and
dialogue
• Maintain a continuous dialogue with the population
on their rights and obligations before and during construction
and operation of the projects;
• Inform society about how natural resources are
used in the construction and operation of the power
plants;
• Establish an open door policy and two-way communication
program, making information channels available to those
who are interested;
• Publish a Socio-environmental Responsibility
Annual Report.
Brasília, June 5, 2007
(World Environment Day)
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This
label will be adopted by the companies that adhere
to the Socio-environmental Code of Ethics. |
Companies that sign the Socio-environmental
Code of Ethics:
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