Sustainability Management

At Norte Energia, our commitment goes beyond energy generation. We contribute to environmental conservation and sustainable socioeconomic development in the Amazon.

To ensure specialized and independent external views regarding our company, we have a group of experts made up of consultants from different areas of knowledge.

Thanks to our activities and actions in the area of ​​sustainability, in 2023 we received the Sustainable Energy Gold Seal, issued by the Acende Brasil Institute and certified by PwC Public Accountants. This recognition highlights our socio-environmental responsibility and management of sustainable practices.

In the same year, we continued our participation in the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), strengthening our presence beyond the technical chambers. Also in 2023, we actively participated in CEBDS initiatives: Business Movement for the Amazon and Amazon Working Group.

Social and Environmental Management and Sustainability: Practices and commitments

In line with our Sustainability Policy, the management of Norte Energia’s social and environmental issues is led by the Presidency, with a Superintendence dedicated exclusively to the environmental licensing process. This structure includes multidisciplinary management and teams that work in synergy with other areas of the company, such as Sustainability. Strategic social and environmental issues are reported to the Environment Committee and the Board of Directors, reflecting the commitment of senior management.

• Integrated Management System (IMS) – Integrated Management System (IMS), based on ISO 14001.
• ESG Indicators Management System (SIESG) – Implemented in 2023, SIESG collects and manages ESG and sustainability information and indicators in accordance with GRI Standards, SASB and Aneel.
• Indicator Center – The Indicator Center gathers data aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the company’s commitment.
• Operation License – On July 16, 2021, Norte Energia requested the renewal of the Belo Monte HPP Operating License. Ibama has not yet commented, maintaining the license in force until its decision. 36 conditions were established, of which 20 are completed, 15 are awaiting validation and 36 are in progress.
• Socio-environmental Commitments – The socio-environmental commitments of the Belo Monte HPP include 117 plans, programs and projects in the Basic Environmental Project (PBA) and 27 in the Indigenous Component (PBA-CI), meeting the conditions of the environmental licenses issued between 2010 and 2015.
• Due Diligence and Equator Principles – Since 2012, Norte Energia has adhered to the IFC Performance Standards and the Equator Principles, implementing transparent consultation mechanisms and engagement actions with different stakeholders. Quarterly independent audits verify compliance with those standards.
• Independent Reports and Audits Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
• Independent Reports and Audits – By April 2024, 45 Periodic Social and Environmental Reports (RSAPs) with on-site audits were submitted. In addition, 24 annual reports were produced and submitted to Ibama, 16 of which after the Operating License was issued in 2015.
• Management of the Indigenous Component – Actions aimed at indigenous peoples include programs for Environmental Supervision, Territorial Management, School Education, Health, Productive Activities, Cultural Heritage and Institutional Strengthening. An Indigenous Steering Committee (CGI) and other subcommittees streamline indigenous participation.
• Communication and Engagement Tools – The Belo Monte HPP Social Monitoring Forum (FASBM) and the Complaints Mechanism, together with the “Belo Monte Aqui” channel, promote interaction with impacted communities. Tools such as IMS support the management of deadlines, scope, costs, risk and communication.
• Environmental Management Plan (EMP) – Established in the PBA (Basic Environmental Project ), the EMP integrates and monitors all plans, programs and projects, based on the ABNT NBR ISO 14001:2004 Standard. The system was maintained in the operation stage, promoting critical analysis of the results.
• Interactions with Licensing and Financing Agencies – Interactions with environmental agencies and funders are maintained to improve programs and projects. Quarterly independent audits verify compliance with the Equator Principles. Public reports are available on the Norte Energia website.

Strategic Pillars of Action

Human Rights

In our Policy, we reaffirm our commitment to respecting human rights in our operations and in our supply chain. Through this commitment, we seek to respect and contribute to the realization of all universally recognized human rights, in particular (but not limited to) those contained in the following international instruments: Universal Declaration of Human Rights; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; ILO Fundamental Conventions; and OAS American Convention on Human Rights.

Our Policy is aimed at all administrators (Officers and members of the Board of Directors), members of the advisory committees and the Fiscal Council, employees, agents, third parties, service providers, business partners, investors, suppliers, representatives, customers and supported organizations.

In 2023, Norte Energia dedicated itself to disseminating its Human Rights Policy, prepared in 2022 to incorporate these guidelines into daily practices. To this end, it hired an external consultancy that prepared a three-year plan, including training, communication and due diligence plans.

An assessment was carried out on the evolution of the topic in the company, documents were consulted and interviews were conducted with employees to understand their expectations. We continued the training “Sustainability, Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights”, totaling 36 hours and reaching 87 participants.

We carried out the Permear project, focusing on training teachers from the municipal network of Altamira on indigenous histories and cultures, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

In the Belo Monte Empreende project, 62% of the participants in the Awakening phase were women. Supporting the inclusion of people with disabilities, the Xingu Polo Sports Association for the Disabled (Adepix) carried out actions such as rowing on the Xingu River and supported the Paralympic athlete Naira Gomes.

We continue to participate in the CEBDS Social Impact Technical Chamber and the Human Rights Working Group of the Electric Energy Sector, responding on the Human Rights Thermometer platform, aligned with the UN Guiding Principles.