Globo’s commitment to addressing major issues of social and environmental importance, which has permeated its broadcasting programming and business initiatives since its very foundation, has earned a recognized certification of great importance.
In the week that the world will turn their eyes toward the 25th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, the company will be celebrating its zero-carbon certification, achieved in the year of 2018 in its five owned-and-operated television stations located in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Recife and Brasilia. The announcement reflects one of the main values of the company, considered a pioneer for addressing the theme of Ecology in its telenovela ‘O Espigão’ (The Skyscraper), as far back as 1974.
“This achievement is a true testament of our commitment to sustainability, making it one of the most important values of the Globo brand. We have always stimulated sustainable initiatives, such as the ‘Menos é Mais’ (Less is More) platform, aimed at mobilizing external and internal publics around the theme,” said Mauricio Gonzalez, Director of the Shared Services Center at Globo.
Globo’s Carbon Neutral Certification, granted by ABNT (Brazilian National Standards Organization), is the result of an in-depth study carried out by the company to measure its corporate carbon footprint, followed by the implementation of innovative instruments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the purchase of carbon offsets to compensate for the residual emissions of the business.
Over the years, one of the main indicators of the reduction of GHG emissions by Globo is related to the fact that currently almost 100% of all the power consumed on its premises comes from renewable energy sources. Globo Studios currently hold the largest rooftop solar power plant in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The project has also been implemented in the headquarters of Globo Recife. Recently the company also looked into mitigating its emissions from fossil fuel combustion by adopting more energy-efficient equipment and expanding its fleet of electric cars.
By positioning itself in the market as a carbon neutral company, Globo attests to its consistent efforts to reducing its GHG emissions, besides reiterating its full commitment to achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the first and most important global agenda for sustainable development. The company’s environmental management focuses on four major issues: water, waste, energy and CO2 emissions, as well as raising public awareness. With regards to the first, for example, 100% of all the sewage and industrial wastewater produced at the Globo Studios is treated. Other practices for water efficiency have also been adopted, such as water retention gel for plants, recycling of condensed water from air conditioning systems, deployment of efficient hydraulic systems, waterless car wash of fleet and costume dry cleaning. In two years, these initiatives have reduced water use by 18 %. The company has also implemented a circular economy model which recycles more than 25 % of all the waste generated. The program uses reverse logistics of batteries and tires; the reuse of paints, furniture and wood for corporate gifts; the recycling of materials stemming from the dismantlement of sets and backlots; the composting of coffee grounds and selective waste collection.
Other initiatives exemplify our long track record in sustainability which we are proud of. Recently, we banned single-use plastic cups in all our offices and facilities, saving an estimated 19 million cups from being thrown away annually. The brand new MG4 Studios, inaugurated last August, were built according to a sustainable design project. With 100% of its energy coming from renewable sources, the television production facility has a green roof – which contributes to the saving of energy – 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient equipment and air-conditioning systems – a design that has also been adopted in the other company buildings.
Globo has also implemented rainwater harvesting systems (RWH) on different locations throughout the organization, selective waste collection and wastewater treatment. Set materials, props and costumes are also recycled and reused.
Besides scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are related to direct emissions produced by the company’s burning of fossil fuels and energy consumption, Globo has also compensated for its scope 3 GHG emissions, which are all the indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the business. Globo will offset all its residual emissions by purchasing high-quality carbon credits, benefitting two green initiatives: Rio Preto-Jacundá da Biofílica, aimed at the conservation and management of forest areas in the Amazon biome, and Aterro São João, a project dedicated to the production of electricity with biogas.
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