Arbor Day: Adherence to the digital bill of the energy bill may be reversed in the planting of up to 2,500 seedlings of native species in the Pantanal
Created by EDP, the campaign “A tree counts” seeks to mitigate the damage caused by fires to this important biome
The fires, which have already devastated more than 15% of the Pantanal, contrast with the celebration of the "Arbor Day", on September 21. In the middle of this scenario, EDP, a company that operates in the entire value chain of the electric sector, launched the campaign “A tree counts”, in which for each customer who subscribes to the digital energy bill, a seedling of a native specie tree will be planted in the Pantanal. The action applies to the concession areas where the company operates in energy distribution, in São Paulo and Espírito Santo. The Campaign will be valid during the week on which Arbor Day is celebrated or until the goal of 2,500 bills entries by email is completed.
Currently, EDP has more than 783 thousand customers in the concession area in São Paulo and Espírito Santo registered to receive the electricity bill in a virtual manner, about 22% of the total consumers - one of the best indexes in the Brazilian electric sector. Thanks to this, about 649 trees are saved from being cut every year, contributing to the absorption of approximately 105.8 tCO2 from the atmosphere in its first years of life.
“The situation in the Pantanal has attracted the attention of the whole world. Society can help with actions and, therefore, we have this good challenge for our customers, so that everyone has the possibility to get involved in this cause and make their contribution. We have a global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and we want to use this initiative to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the environment”, says João Brito Martins, EDP's Distribution Vice President.
Sustainable Development Goal
Encouraging adherence to the bill by email is one of the actions that reaffirm EDP's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - a global action plan defined by the United Nations (UN) to achieve sustainable development by 2030. The initiative reinforces, in particular, SDG 12: “Responsible Consumption and Production” and SDG 15: “Terrestrial Life”; both incorporated into EDP's strategic agenda to grow generating positive impacts on society and on the environment.
When adhering to virtual sending, in addition to contributing to the preservation of the environment, due to the decrease in the use of paper, the customer receives his/her bill with greater advance, having more practicality and convenience. “Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have registered an 11% increase in adherence to the bill by email and we understand that this service also contributes to providing more security to the population in this context of social isolation”, says João Brito.
In June, EDP is committed to ensuring that, by 2030, 100% of the energy generated by the Company is from renewable sources, contributing to the global warming not exceed 1.5°C. This was done by joining the Business Ambition for 1.5ºC - Our Only Future, from the United Nations (UN). The Company also joined Recover Better, a global initiative that proposes governments and businesses around the world to align their recovery and economic aid efforts related to the Covid-19 crisis based on the latest climate studies.
How to join the bill by email
Registering to receive the bill by email is very simple and can be done at any time through the EDP Online website (www.edponline.com.br) or using the EDP Online application, available on all smartphone and tablets platforms. It is also possible to register via the Customer Service (SAC), on 0800 721 0123 in São Paulo and on 0800 721 0707 in Espírito Santo, with a toll-free, 24-hour call. In the channels, the customer can also opt for the virtual receipt of Scheduled Maintenance Notices and other communications from the Company.
About EDP in Brazil
With over 20 years of experience, EDP is one of the largest private companies in the electricity sector operating throughout the value chain. The Company, which has over 10,000 direct and outsourced employees, operates in Transmission, Trading and Energy Services and has six hydroelectric generation units and one thermal power station. In Distribution, it serves about 3.5 million customers in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, in addition to being the main shareholder of Celesc, in Santa Catarina. In Brazil, it is a reference in areas such as Innovation, Governance and Sustainability, having been in the B3´s Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) for 14 consecutive years.