Galp and Navigator distinguished by good environmental practice

The Portuguese companies Galp and Navigator are part of a total of 76 companies at European level that will today be distinguished in Brussels for good environmental practices, adopting measures of saving water and against climate change.

[dropcap type=”background”]T[/dropcap]hese are the ‘CDP Europe Awards’, awards attributed by the international non-profit association Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which annually reviews the environmental impact of large companies to promote a change of habits.

In the report for 2018, measures adopted by 859 European companies were analyzed, of which only 76 were ranked higher, the ‘A’, because they were considered as pioneers in environmental terms. In Portugal, nine companies were analyzed and, of these, two were distinguished, according to the report.

At stake is the Galp Energia group, which obtained the ‘A’ grade for measures taken to save water, and paper company The Navigator Company, which achieved this distinction for its actions to combat climate change.

The report points to Galp as an example, noting that the company “has put a particular focus on improving the reuse of water at its two main refineries in Portugal” located in Sines and Matosinhos, having “invested in new technologies.”

Data reported in the report indicate that, between 2012 and 2017, Galp increased water reuse by 21%, while reducing total water consumption by 12% and wastewater discharges by 10%.

Also in 2017, Galp reused more than 1.5 million cubic meters of water, which was equivalent to annual savings of 300 thousand euros in Sines and 500 thousand euros in Matosinhos, according to the same document.

With regard to actions against climate change, Galp obtained ‘A-‘.

In addition, seven other companies were analyzed by CDP, among them Banco Comercial Português (BCP), Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD), Energias de Portugal (EDP), Jerónimo Martins, Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) and Toyota Caetano.

Of these, REN was the worst rated, which received a ‘C’ rating for measures adopted against climate change (the only parameter analyzed in this company).

The remainder obtained the ‘A-‘ and ‘B’ classifications in this section.

Also analyzed in relation to water saving was EDP, obtaining the grade ‘B’.

To carry out this study, the CDP requests each year about 40 large companies from several European countries.

This year, the response given by Portuguese companies was lower than in other countries.

Of the total number of companies analyzed in the report from 24 European countries, only two – Swiss Firmenich and France’s L’Oreal – scored highest on the three parameters covered: saving water, minimizing climate change and safeguarding forests.

Bayer, Brembo, Coca-Cola, Diageo and Metsä Board were able to achieve a maximum of two parameters.

Today, 10 European investment funds, including BNP Paribas and Mirova, will also be distinguished at the “CDP Europe Awards” and following the information gathered for the annual report, for betting on a “low carbon economy“.

The awards ceremony will take place this afternoon in Brussels, with the heads of some of these companies, including the executive president of The Navigator Company, Diogo da Silveira, who is leaving the post.