Preserving the Environment

Sustainability: a word that is on the mind of those who are concerned with the environment and with the future of the planet. At Petrobras, environmental responsibility is part of our mission, and it is deeply connected to the business. We work, today, to ensure a sustainable future for the next generations.

Our focus is on ecoefficiency. To us, it does not suffice to produce, refine and distribute oil within the strictest safety standards. With rational water and energy use, in association with the generation of the least possible amounts of wastewater, waste and emissions at all of our units, we reduce our impact on the environment and reinforce our commitment to pursuing excellence in our operations.

The Capuava Refinery (Recap), in São Paulo, is a concrete example of water reuse: it is the first unit with zero wastewater disposal. Nearly all of our units in Brazil and abroad are ISO 14001 (relative to the environment) and BS 8800 (relative to safety and health) certified.

The Maximum Admissible Limit (MAL) for hazardous solid waste generation in our processes is another practical action in environmental responsibility, as is monitoring atmospheric emissions.

From 2000 to 2011, we invested R$43.5 billion in Safety, Environment and Health. Part of this amount was used to deploy Environmental Defense Centers (EDCs) at strategic points of operation. They complement the existing local contingency plans at the terminals, refineries and other units to ensure maximum protection and flexibility in an emergency.

We also voluntarily support environmental projects undertaken by civil society organizations focusing on water and climate issues. Between 2008 and late 2012, the Petrobras Environmental Program is expected to invest a total of R$500 million in environmental conservation initiatives in all Brazilian biomes.

Contact the Environmental Defense Centers all over Brazil

Hotlines
  • Amazônia: (92) 3616-4128
  • Bacia de Campos: (22) 2773-6411
  • Bahia: (71) 3350-4515
  • Centro-Oeste: (62) 3206-8326
  • Espírito Santo: (27) 3228-3354
  • Maranhão: (98) 3217-3300
  • Rio de Janeiro: (21) 2677-2002
  • Rio Grande do Norte: (84) 3235-5555
  • São Paulo: (11) 2460-5812
  • Sul: (47) 3247-3590

We have a lot of stories to tell. Get to know some of them

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Biomaps

Is it actually possible to explore and produce oil with respect for the environment? We have proved it is. In addition to supporting environmental projects, we give examples of sustainable actions in our activities. We work to minimize our impacts, make partnerships, get to know and map information that was often not known. Sharing this mapping with you is a way of strengthening our passion to confirm our commitment to preserving the environment.

Explore Biomaps

Spinner Dolphin Preservation of behavior

The high frequency of spinner dolphins, the lack of knowledge about these animals, and concern with the uncontrolled growth of nautical tourism in Fernando de Noronha led to the creation of the Spinner Dolphin Project on March 26, 1990. The project is the result of a cooperation between the Aquatic Mammals Center, a specialized fauna center belonging to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, and the Spinner Dolphin Center, a non-governmental socioenvironmental organization from Fernando de Noronha. Petrobras has sponsored the project since 2001. The mission of the Spinner Dolphin Project is to use scientific research on dolphins in order to preserve their natural behavior, conserve Fernando de Noronha, promote an Environmental Education program, and provide subsidies for the sustainable development of the archipelago.

The Atlantic Forest Knowing to preserve

One of the world's most important areas and the second biggest forest range in Brazil, the Atlantic Forest is home to upwards of 20,000 species of plants and 2,000 species of animals. It is also a considerable source of water: seven of the country's water basins are located in its area. More than 110 million Brazilians living in about 3,400 municipalities are supplied by this water. Studies show the Atlantic Forest used to spread over more than 1.3 million square kilometers, blanketing 17 Brazilian states. With degradation and deforestation, the area has shrunk to about 100,000 square kilometers, i.e., 7% of its original overgrowth. The Atlantic Forest Program, supported by Petrobras for the past 13 years, was created to preserve and restore this important ecosystem. Through the project, more than 30 new species have been discovered for Science, and nearly 3,000 native species registered. The research, headed up by the biggest group of taxonomists in Brazil, is vital for the conservation of this invaluable natural asset.

Live Coral Conservation on the bottom of the sea

Coral reefs are not only exuberant rocks. They are animals that form an important marine ecosystem of great biological diversity, like giant tropical forests in the sea. Brazil has the only reefs in the South Atlantic: there are 3,000 km of them, ranging from Maranhão to southern Bahia. The country's biggest and richest coral reef area is in Arraial d’Ajuda (state of Bahia). That is where the Live Coral project, which performs in the conservation and sustainable use of the coral reefs and encompasses social mobilization, environmental education, technological and scientific development, and training, operates. Conservation and knowledge regarding corals are very important, and that is why Petrobras invests in these actions. There are several regions in Brazil where the sea advances over the coastal line, but this does not happen where there are coral reefs. Additionally, corals play a significant role in manufacturing and researching drugs to treat herpes, high blood pressure, and antibiotics, among other products. A lot has been researched about corals, and a long path lies ahead. But one thing is certain: we can help preserve them.

When we look outside of our company, we understand well-planned actions are the secret to a successful environmental policy.
Our strategy is underpinned by three pillars:

  • We invest in sponsoring environmental projects via public selections. The goal is to support, transparently, initiatives that contribute to Brazil's sustainable development.

  • Interaction among the Third Sector, the Public Authorities and other companies by forming partnerships and networks. The central themes are water, climate, and marine biodiversity. This action also includes contributions to qualify partner institutions.

  • Dissemination of information for sustainable development by means of communications actions aimed at discussing the model and the roles to be played by each part.

To us, practicing environmental responsibility is ensuring our business' sustainability. Therefore, we have proved it is possible to ally profitability to respect for people and for the environment.

  • Conpet

    Use well in order to always be able to use. This is the vision of the Conpet, which was created in 1991 to disseminate the importance of an anti-waste culture. We support the Program's initiatives to rationalize energy, and by doing so we reinforce our commitment to Brazil's sustainable development.

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