At DUAL, we are committed to shaping the future through projects that embrace environmental, social, and governance practices, aligning us more and more with an organization conscious of its environmental and social role. Our vision goes beyond business, as we aspire to contribute to a more inclusive and welcoming world. Each stage of our process is driven by the pursuit of practices that not only enhance our growth but also positively impact the environment and the communities around us.
We believe that sustainability is a journey to be undertaken with determination and awareness. The implementation of two photovoltaic plants represents our commitment to responsible production, without neglecting efficiency and innovation.
Our production of biodiesel and photovoltaic energy are mechanisms of clean development, significantly reducing or avoiding, in energy generation, the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere.
The production of clean, sustainable energy through various sources is an unavoidable urgency for humanity. On our part, understanding the importance of this type of energy as a mechanism for clean, ecological, sustainable development, suitable for our times of climate change and for a country with Brazil's solar incidence, we increasingly invest in environmental care.
As an example, we have installed a park with photovoltaic plants. Thus, we produce energy through the capture and direct conversion of solar radiation into electricity, in order to meet a large part of our energy consumption, in the production of more renewable energy such as biodiesel.
We know that the burning of fossil fuels, such as diesel oil, emits a large concentration of pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and dioxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, soot. These elements, released into the atmosphere, contribute to various environmental (greenhouse effect, global warming, acid rain) and social (respiratory diseases, cancer) problems. Diesel, moreover, is the most widely used fossil fuel in Brazil and the most polluting after coal.
Biodiesel thus emerges as an alternative fuel, produced from organic matter of plant origin (oils) or animal (fats). In the first half of 2024, we will start our biodiesel production at our Pedra Preta unit, from oilseeds that will be purchased, mostly from family farming, through the Biodiesel Social Seal.
Compared to fossil fuels, biodiesel can offer advantages such as: being renewable and biodegradable; not containing sulfur compounds, which cause acid rain; not containing aromatic substances, which are carcinogenic and mutagenic.
Therefore, preservation and care for the environment are values that we take seriously and put into practice, encouraging awareness, sustainable practices, and the conservation of natural resources for future generations.
We are more than a company active in the market, as we are committed to our audiences and stakeholders. We understand that responsible business is not limited to financial results alone, but also involves contributing to social and human progress.
Our social commitment is a fundamental part of our essence. We act responsibly, through voluntary actions, in activities that benefit society and the communities around us. For us, promoting well-being and balance in our business model is a constant mission, embracing the environment, our employees, and society.
Our initiatives in Social Responsibility go beyond fulfilling obligations, as we always seek to act in the social sphere, creating increasingly meaningful opportunities for all.
In 2021, in line with our traditions and the life examples of Octaviano Heráclio Duarte, and in order to continue actions initiated by him, we founded the Octaviano and Inácia Duarte Institute (IOID). The Institute aims to help, support, and sponsor social projects aimed at children, adolescents, and the elderly, as well as culture and sports. Since then, in addition to distributing monthly food baskets to various needy families, the Institute has supported various relevant cultural, sports, and educational projects in various municipalities in Brazil.
So far, 14 institutions have benefited, namely:
At the core of our ESG policy lies a solid and transparent governance, based on the highest standards of business ethics.
In 2021, we formed our Board and made our shareholder agreement. Thus, we strengthen our way of conducting our business, with responsibility and assurance of compliance with the best practices and regulations of the market.
At DUAL, we foster an organizational culture where integrity permeates all our decisions, strengthening the trust of our partners and stakeholders.
Increasingly concerned with issues of significant importance to ESG, DUAL has been auditing its financial statements since 2019, demonstrating to the market responsibility and transparency regarding its financial health.
The goal is to communicate transparency, good management, and DUAL's commitment to corporate governance, being able to show and express the reality of the business and facilitate recommendations for improvements and highlights of its financial security, as well as being part of the good corporate practices of companies in the sector.
