Climate change
-73tCO2 / 1t of cork
It is widely recognised that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, and there is an urgent need to adapt strategies and measures to mitigate the short-term impacts on business, the environment and society in general.
Objective
Reducing the environmental impact of operations by adopting renewable, accessible and efficient solutions is the aim of the Sustainable by nature for Climate Change programme.
This objective, based on the driver Promoting the environmental characteristics of cork oak products and forests, is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically with SDGs: No. 7 - Affordable and clean energy; No. 11 - Sustainable cities and communities; and No. 13 - Climate action.
The Programme defines qualitative targets for 2030, applicable to the entire sustainability perimeter:
- Increase the use of renewable energy;
- Improve energy efficiency;
- Reduce negative environmental impact.
Over the course of its life, the cork oak tree becomes a huge storehouse of CO2, consequently, an ally in mitigating climate change.
How it's made
Corticeira Amorim’s water consumption is regulated by the competent authorities based on local conditions and operating licenses. Most of the water consumed is from underground extraction. Not all of the water is used in the process, and is then returned to the environment (directly, in the case of unprocessed water, or after being purified in water treatment plants).
One of the unique characteristics of the cork oak forest is its ability to regulate the water cycle. About 36% of the left bank of the Tagus-Sado river is occupied by cork oak trees. This one of the most productive and deep aquifer systems in the Iberian Peninsula, that is also irrigated by the infiltration of rainwater into the soil. The ability of cork oak trees to intercept rainwater is important to protect the soil from water erosion, contributing to the fight against desertification. Learn more about the importance of the cork oak forests in hydrological regulation and soil protection.
Over the years, Corticeira Amorim has been increasingly concerned with optimising processes and implementing new technologies, that promote and improve energy performance, namely investing in energy efficiency measures and the renewal of ISO 50001 management system certifications in various of the Group’s business units.
The main energy source consumed by Corticeira Amorim is biomass, primarily cork powder, which is endogenous and 100% renewable. Use of cork powder makes it possible to take advantage of the waste that results from manufacturing cork products and helps reduce CO2 emissions.
Corticeira Amorim is committed to increasing the use of energy from renewable sources, both through the selection of energy suppliers according to the proportion of renewable energy in their mix and through direct investment in photovoltaic projects. In recent years, the company has installed several solar panels on the roofs of its main industrial units, ensuring that 20% of the electricity consumed by the company's business in Portugal comes from photovoltaics.
At a time when carbon neutrality is one of the main challenges facing society in general, to guarantee the preservation of the planet, Corticeira Amorim is developing an activity that has a positive impact on climate regulation, promoting higher levels of carbon sequestration than its CO2 emissions.
According to a study conducted by researchers coordinated by the University of Aveiro, the sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere exceeds the gas emissions throughout the entire cork sector, from the forest to the final destination of the products. Thus, this sector acts as an effective sink for greenhouse gases. The study highlights the importance of the cork oak forests in mitigating climate change. The sequestered carbon is not released back into the atmosphere and remains stored for long periods, given that cork extraction occurs without deforestation and cork oak trees can live, on average, up to 200 years.