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Riopele's ambitious commitment to go operationally carbon neutral by 2027 is now closer to achievement. By 2023, Riopele's renewable energy sources will already ensure, and for the first time ever, over 50% of its energy consumption.
"It is a significant milestone," states José Alexandre Oliveira. According to Riopele's Chairman, these results "represent a combined effort across every company sector, leading to all the company's operations returning a zero environmental impact within 4 years".
Overall, Riopele's carbon footprint receded 12% in 2022 compared to the previous year, down from 114,965 tCo2e to 101,360 tCo2e. For 2023, further reductions are forecast, this time of between 12% and 15%. Contributing decisively to this end is the installation of a new solar park, with a production capacity of approximately 6MW.
On course for its 100th anniversary, the Vila Nova de Famalicão based textile company has been investing in the fields of digital transition and sustainability, believing that its efforts will maximise the positive environmental impact, setting out a model to be followed by other companies in the fashion industry.
"Here at Riopele, we recognise the urgent need to get rid of our carbon footprint and work towards a more sustainable future", says José Alexandre Oliveira, the company chairman. “We believe that companies have an important role to play in the fight against climate change which is why we are committed to attaining our carbon neutrality as quickly as possible and we feel that it would be symbolic to attain this milestone in our centenary year”, he concluded.
Geared towards demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, this all-embracing plan is aligned with the “Sustainable Development Goals” determined by UN (United Nations Organisation) and it will involve major investments in the transition to renewable energy sources, as well as in the development of new products and processes to reduce emissions.
In the context of the Sustainability Road Map defined by the company, Riopele will involve the whole value chain in order to drive forward environmental progress.
