Repsol YPF

7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability

Florestal do futuro Project, Brazil

Background:

Since 2005, Repsol YPF has assumed the commitment to create Floresta Repsol. Floresta Repsol is made up of 15,000 seedlings of native species from the Mata Atlántica planted on an area of nine hectares in the basin of the Paraíba do Sul river (in the city of Pinheiral, Rio de Janeiro state). This river constitutes the main water source of this State.

Objectives:

By planting Floresta Repsol, the company is contributing so that over 5 million inhabitants of 160 municipalities benefited by the river Paraíba do Sul have a guaranteed supply of drinkable water. 

In parallel with the reforestation and preservation of the water resources, this programme aims to stimulate education for the students of the Nilo Peçanha Technical School, with hands-on classes in Floresta Repsol. In addition, the pupils are selected by the local chapter of the Mata Atlántica SOS Foundation to act as agents in the community, spreading the importance of the planning in the use of the soil and the preservation of the environment. 

Description:   

This program is aimed at the reforestation of the Mata Atlántica and to the recovery of areas along the rivers, preserving riverbeds and river biodiversity. These actions are complemented by associate environmental actions and technical training by means of sustainable activities that help to the conservation of the Mata Atlántica.

In 2007, the focus of this programme has been collaborating in planting native flora. The new Floresta Repsol includes 15,000 plantations and has been planted on the margins of the Ponte Nova Reservoir. This was chosen as it is one of the most important water reservoirs of the Alto Tietê Production System in Salesópolis's municipality (San Paulo). 

The Ponte Nova Reservoir is responsible for 60 % of the water supply of the Alto Tietê System, which supplies seven municipalities of the region of the Leste zone of San Paulo. The importance of the Alto Tietê Production System lies in water supply for irrigation. With the Program “Florestas do Futuro” the company consolidates the Mata Atlántica SOS Foundation as entity in charge of the preservation of Brazil’s most important environment.