When it comes to the ESG Agenda, that is, the environment, society and governance, there is no doubt that since 2021 there are a milestone in Equatorial’s history. During this period, the company made the issue a priority in its management and initiated a series of processes that increasingly consolidate the group’s commitment to more sustainable practices.

We adopt the best Corporate Governance practices, in which we establish robust standards of transparency, fairness, respect and ethics. Strict ethical principles ensure the alignment of interests between the Company and its investors

We are a full corporation, with no defined controlling shareholder, and we are listed on the Novo Mercado segment, the highest standard of Corporate Governance of B3 S.A. – Brazil, Bolsa, Balcão. We have an independent and diversified Board of Directors, with 100% of the members being independent and 25% of the members being women.

The Company adhered to the United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. Based on ten fundamental principles, the Pact encourages respect for human rights and the environment, in addition to combating corruption in all business processes.

We strengthen our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in relation to goals 4, 7 and 13, referring to education, universal access to electricity and action against climate change. The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the objectives to which the United Nations is contributing so that we can achieve the 2030 Agenda in Brazil.

Reconciling the growth of its business with principles of sustainability and environmental protection, Equatorial has taken new steps towards implementing measures that guarantee the reduction of CO2 emissions. Among them is the production of its greenhouse gas inventory, which is essential to guide carbon neutralization actions in the coming years. The document was prepared following the rules of the “GHG Protocol”, covering both direct emissions, resulting from the company’s operations, and indirect emissions, related to its value chain.

Grupo Equatorial advances in the sustainability agenda, abandons fuel oil-based thermoelectric plants and invests in companies focused on wind and solar energy.

In the investment plan, the orientation for the energy transition also materialized with the expansion of the business to complementary sources. In June 2021, Equatorial expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Enova, a distributed solar generation company with a strong presence in Maranhão. In addition, it also advanced in the wind generation segment by acquiring Echoenergia Participações for R$ 7 billion, one of the largest renewable generation players in the country. The integrated company has 1.2 GW in operating eolic assets and 0.6 GW in assets in the pipeline.

On another important front for the sustainability agenda, the company has also promoted energy efficiency among consumers.

The E+ Program integrates Equatorial’s Energy Efficiency Program and aims to exchange recyclable materials for a discount on the energy bill. In addition to promoting actions aimed at spreading the culture of selective collection and awareness about environmental preservation, it promotes the correct disposal of recyclable solid waste and prevents it from being discarded in the environment. Promoting actions to engage and raise awareness among employees regarding waste management through dialogue are also measures taken to prevent systemic negative impacts. In line with the effort to disseminate sustainability with the value of the Equatorial Group. In 2023, the program allowed the collection of more than 15 thousand tons of waste. The material was converted into R$796,224 in bonuses that directly benefited customers.

An important advance was the revision of the Sustainability Policy, implementation of the Diversity and Inclusion Policy; Environmental Policy; Solid Waste Policy; Water Resources Policy; Company’s Compensation Policy; Referral Policy; Evaluation Policy; Grupo Equatorial’s Related Party Policy and Risk Management Policy.

To access the policies page please click here

The Equatorial Group’s advances in the ESG agenda are described in our Sustainability Report, released annually. The document can be accessed here.