Neoenergia S A : To assist residents and the preservation of biodiversity, the Termopernambuco thermal power pl...

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​​Photo: Frico Guimarães/ SOS Pantanal

Donation, carried out by Termope - Neoenergia's thermoelectric power plant, adds to another R$ 150,000 already passed on by the Neoenergia Institute during the fires that hit the region in the second half of 2020

The Pantanal experienced the largest fires in the last 50 years in 2020, consuming more than 30% of the biome area, which is equivalent to 4.5 million hectares or 30 cities in São Paulo. In view of this, local communities and wildlife still need help after the end of the dry season and fires. To assist residents and the preservation of biodiversity, the Termopernambuco thermal power plant (Termope), controlled by Neoenergia,made a voluntary donation of R$ 150,000 to two organizations operating in the region: Instituto Arara Azul and SOS Pantanal, of which R$ 75,000 was for each of them. Another contribution in the same amount had already been made by the Neoenergia Institute.

The donation made by Termope is the first action of a new conservation plan prepared by the company.' Our controlling shareholder, the Iberdrola group,aims to achieve zero net loss in biodiversity by 2030. With this donation and other initiatives that will be carried out in the near future, we are aligned with this goal and the fulfillment of our social dividend. We are committed to promoting and voluntarily promoting biodiversity conservation projects and restoration of natural capital, whether located near the plant, which is located in Pernambuco, or in other regions of the country, such as thePantanal', says the manager of Termope, Tatsumi Igarashi.

In the Pantanal, after the dry period and end of the fires, in November, the animals now live in a devastated environment, with little supply of food. Therefore, it is essential to distribute food to the fauna, helping the remaining populations of animals. In addition, aid is needed for riverside communities and indigenous peoples affected, in addition to the fires, by the Covid-19 pandemic.Photo: Frico Guimarães/ SOS Pantanal

The donation of Termope to the Arara Azul Institute will contribute to the actions in Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso, states affected by fires that affected the blue macaw and other species that interact with it.

'The impacts on the species are being observed in the short and medium term. Support will be given to strengthen the necessary actions such as: handling natural nests and placing artificial nests; acquire lost and new equipment for the improvement of research; collect ing and analyzing information by monitoring key threat indicators and implementing actions to minimize the medium and long impact on thespecies,' explains eliza Mense, executive director of the institute.

The resources allocated by the company to the NGO SOS Pantanal will be used mainly in four actions: donation to support the Instituto Tamanduá, which is leading rescue, food and hydration actions in the Southern Pantanal; purchase of two quadricycles for recognition of affected areas, assistance to animals and logistics of distribution of insums within the conservation units; installation of 20 plates in sheet metal to prevent trampling of animals on roads that pass through natural areas, such as the Road Parque do Pantanal Sul; and donation of basic baskets and basic insums to 53 riverside families in the Serra do Amolar region, especially the community of Barra do São Lourenço and the Guató Indigenous Land.

'Donations allow us to immediately alleviate the suffering of people and animals that have suffered and still suffer from the severe impacts of drought and burning,'says Gustavo Figuerôa, a biologist with the non-governmental organization.Photo: Frico Guimarães/SOS Pantanal