Ceara Renewable Energy Project in Brazil
Ceara Renewable Energy Project in Brazil
The Problem
This project operates in a region of Ceara, Brazil prone to drought and poverty. Overrun with illegal logging which is one of the leading causes of deforestation and with unhealthy working conditions due to indoor pollution.
The Solution
The Ceará project has switched the fuel used by five ceramic factories from illegal firewood to agricultural and industrial residues. This biomass would have otherwise been discarded as waste, so the fuel switch not only transforms residues into something useful but also enables many local individuals to make a living - or complement their income – by supplying biomass waste directly to the factories.
Furthermore, the reduction in indoor air pollution from the switch has substantially improved working conditions for employees and the ceramic factories have adopted a system that reuses industrial wastewater. An especially significant step for a region afflicted by severe droughts.
This project alleviates deforestation, avoids greenhouse gas emissions and promotes a more sustainable supply chain: It does this whilst also improving the livelihoods of local communities and employees.
Impact and Benefits
- Generation of income to local communities - so far USD 4,500,000;
- Improved working conditions to employees (219 employees);
- Increase of water availability to the community (the region is afflicted by severe droughts);
- Avoidance of deforestation - 1,750 ha of forest saved in the course of 10 years, the equivalent to 1400 soccer pitches;
- Avoidance of GHG emissions - 36173t of CO2e avoided per year.