The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.
Sustainability
Reaching sustainable development goals with Nautilus
Slowly, but surely, the world is getting better
One of the reasons the world has slowly been getting better is a shift in thinking about how and why we develop our world. A shift exemplified by the introduction of the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
One power plant, five goals
One project built adhering to these goals is the Pesqueiro hydropower-plant in the South of Brazil. A community-led effort, it uses the waters of the Jaguariaíva river to create power for the local farmers. This project is also part of Mondi's CO2-offsetting scheme, allowing us to sell CO2-neutral versions of Nautilus Superwhite and ProCycle. Out of the 17 UN sustainable development goals, Pesqueiro addresses the following five:
Affordable and Clean Energy
Energy is the key to progress. Only when energy is affordable can new companies be founded and become self-sustainable. Nevertheless, the impact on the environment needs to be lessened, which is why renewable and sustainable sources of energy need to be used more extensively than before.
Pesqueiro creates power for more than 40.000 people, and increases the share of renewable energy in the Brazilian energy mix, which otherwise relies heavily on coal.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Any kind of economic growth is based on the availability of jobs. However, working conditions have to be humane and conforming to social standards. In the case of Pesquerio, construction created new jobs under appropriate working conditions.
Climate Action
Global warming and the dangers we are facing due to it, demands actions in all areas, but especially when it comes to economic growth. According to current estimates, all our efforts need to be geared towards limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.By building Pesqueiro, a hydropower plant and therefore a renewable source of energy, roughly 20.000 tons of CO2 per year are not released into the atmosphere. To put this into perspective, that's about 10.000 economy flights from Frankfurt to Singapore.
Reduced Inequalities
With more than 7.5 billion people alive today, not all opportunities are distributed equally. This specific goal is geared towards changing that, and Pesqueiro is doing its part: Its governing body, Pesqueiro Energía, is promoting local NGOs that support mentally and physically challenged people, as well as underprivileged pregnant teenagers.
Life on Land
Healthy eco-systems are the basis for our life. We are all part of one eco-system and have to make every effort to preserve it.
And while building a power-plant is usually taxing on the environment, in the case of Pesqueiro, special care was taken to preserve the local flora and fauna. Thousands of trees were planted after finalising the construction, and the plant's turbines are oxygenising the river to such an extent that the water-quality is now better than it was before Pesqueiro was built. The fish-stock are still healthy and the area is very popular with anglers.
All for the love of nature
Even though developing sustainably is an important step, there's still some way to go. But by investing in Pesqueiro, we put into practice our commitment to this ever improving world. Whether it’s about equality, peaceful co-existence or the preservation of our natural habitats.
Or to put it in the words that underpin everything we do with Nautilus: All for the love of nature.
