Social and Environmental Responsibility

MPX was created with the concept of sustainability in its DNA. The company believes that the only way of handling its business is by means of an ethical behavior which can contribute to the economic, social and environmental development and ensure the life quality of present and future generations.

Being aware of their influence in the development of the regions where it operates, MPX is implementing a series of actions aiming at the conservation of the environment, the minimization of the interferences in the ecosystems and the development of the neighbor communities. In all of its undertakings, the Company invests in the most modern technologies available in the market, totally efficient regarding environmental control.The coal plants, for instance, shall use the so called clean coal technology, which ensures a cleaner final product, and, consequently, a smaller interference in the environment.

Environmental Responsibility

Social and Environmental Committee - MPX created, in December 2008, a Social and Environmental Committee, with members internationally recognized in the Social and Environmental areas. The Committee’s main purpose is to advise MPX on the development of its sustainability strategy and on how to prioritize Environmental and Social actions to ensure the most effective results.

LIFE Institute - In July 2009, project LIFE (Lasting Initiative For Earth) was launched, creating a pioneer certification- LIFE Certification. The certification will be granted to companies that are committed to developing actions to promote the preservation of the Earth’s natural heritage. MPX is amongst a series of supporting entities and also a member of the Board of the LIFE institute.

Pantanal - Through the partnership with Ecotrópica and IHP (Instituto Homem Pantaneiro), MPX has settled a commitment to maintain and protect the Private Reserves of the Natural Heritage (RPPNs) of Acurizal, Penha and Dorochê, at the Pantanal Matogrossense.The RPPNs have been acknowledged by UNESCO as a Site of the World Natural Heritage and as the Central Area of the Pantanal Biosphere Reserve.

The RPPN complex amounts to 70 thousand hectares. In their migration movement, conditioned by the seasonal variation of waters, the reserves are considered an important biological corridor for the earth fauna of the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park. They also contribute to the preservation of the flora and fauna environment which are complementary to the ones existing in the National Park.

 

 

Atlantic Rainforest - The Company signed a commitment term with Instituto BioAtlântica (IBio) in order to contribute for the implantation and consolidation of a biodiversity corridor, the Ecological Corridor of Muriqui, at the stretch located between the State parks of Desengano and Três Picos, an integrating part of the Atlantic Rainforest situated in the Central part of Rio de Janeiro.
 
The ecological corridors aim at promoting the connection of forest patches, protecting and restoring areas and intervening so as to make productive activities environmentally friendly.

The muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) was chosen to be the banner-species because it is at the top of the list of endangered primates in the planet. There are only approximately 1.300 individuals in nature.

The primates have been one of the most important symbols of conservation of the Atlantic Rainforest, for their status in nature is the sign of the conditions of a region as a whole.

The Project first phase which lasted six months, allowed the deepening of knowledge of the region, as well as the gathering of data and preliminary identification of anchor-areas. The phase 2, defined on base of first phase results, proposes several actions to be implemented to allow the consolidation of the Ecological Corridor Muriqui.

 

Litoral - Aiming at the protection of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, MPX has signed a partnership agreement with Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação de Biodiversidade – ICMBio, an instrumentality linked to the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment. MPX has donated resources for the implementation of infrastructure for public visitation, and for the maintenance of the park areas, for a period of 10 years. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park covers an area of 155 thousand hectares, which includes beaches, dunes, rivers, lagoons and mangroves. The area is of extreme importance to Brazil and is also internationally known for the relevance of its ecosystems.

Social Responsibility  

Porto do Pecém TPP- Ceará

In the state of Ceará, MPX is implementing projects that aim to promote the social development of communities in the Porto do Pecém TPP sorrounding areas. Such actions include professional training, job creation and support in the establishment Environmentally Protected Areas.

Itaqui TPP - Maranhão

Programa de Relocação -  In part of the area destined to Itaqui TPP ("MPX Itaqui"), in the Industrial District of São Luís, is located at Vila Madureira, a community where a total of 95 families reside, of which 36 live in the Itaqui TPP development area and 59 in the immediate surroundings (outside the area of development).

They are families of humble people who live in areas without the real state title. Their houses are covered with straw and the walls with clay, without infrastructure and basic sanitation.  

Before the MPX Itaqui works begin, MPX Energia undertook to indemnify families of Vila Madureira and transfer them to a new area. The construction of the new houses has already started and about 400 people will be benefited by the Family Relocation Program, based on the best sustainability and social-environmental responsibility adopted in Brazil and in the world.

In Vila Madureira, waste collection in an illegal garbage disposal area was the income source for 23 families. From the wastes the families took food to feed animals raised in their properties and also objects that were sold in the local market. Children, youngsters, and adults that were exposed to risks accepted to change the garbage disposal area for an income alternative offered by MPX, by qualifying for other activities.

The new site was chosen by the families of Vila Madureira, after the group visited some areas shown by MPX. Vila Nova Canaã housing project, in the municipality of Paço do Lumiar, 30 kilometers away from downtown São Luís, is the beginning of a new life history for hundreds of people who dream about better days. In an area of 25 thousand square meters, on a plain piece of land, houses were built for each family. Besides the houses with public deeds, the families will also be given churches, courts, playground, school, office for residents’ association and a community center.

MPX Energia destined an area of 60 hectares of fertile soil for the families, where an Agricultural Development Project will be implemented. This project will provide technical assistance for three years, contemplating soil preparation, supply of agricultural inputs and manpower qualification for production. For the families that didn´t developed an agricultural activity, an area of six hectares will be destined for a community vegetable garden. All work for transferring the families have been followed by a social worker, a psychologist and agriculture workers.