“We grow better together”: this is the phrase that defines Monsanto’s current moment. And its meaning is not restricted to those who are directly part of the company; it concerns all people and, of course, the planet.
It is no coincidence that in recent years the company has committed to significant sustainability goals, such as reaching 2021 with completely carbon-neutral production, and has worked intensively alongside farmers, researchers and institutions in the search for improvements in tools, techniques and other approaches that are more environmentally friendly.
These efforts are primarily aimed at meeting the demands of a growing global population while protecting and preserving natural resources. After all, not only agribusiness, but the quality of life of all living beings depends greatly on healthy ecosystems.
A good example of how to reduce the impact caused by the famous greenhouse gases (GHG) can be found in Camaçari (BA), where the Inovar Project was developed, an action initiated just over two years ago by Monsanto in partnership with another large company in the region.
How does it work?
As a result of its activities in the interior of Bahia, Monsanto produces hydrogen (H2) as a by-product. Previously, this gas was treated and then disposed of in an environmentally appropriate manner.
Not everyone knows, however, that H2, an abundant and renewable resource, is also an excellent non-polluting fuel. This is mainly due to its ability to store more energy per unit of mass compared to other available options, meaning it is an element with great energy potential even in smaller quantities.
With the implementation of the Inovar Project, this valuable surplus H2 is no longer wasted and, through a pipeline, is now shared and used in another business established in the hub as a fuel to replace natural gas, a compound of fossil and non-renewable origin that contributes new carbon molecules to the atmosphere. Furthermore, Inovar is also a great example of how strategic partnerships between different companies can provide a great return for everyone.
The atmosphere is grateful
Thanks to the recovery capacity of up to 2,500 tons of H2 provided by the Monsanto unit in Camaçari, it has become possible to generate a reduction of up to 18,000 tons of CO2 per year. This means that, between 2015 and the beginning of 2017, a total of 36,000 tons of GHGs were possibly prevented from being released into the atmosphere. This is undoubtedly a very significant figure, proving that any action is welcome and can bring important results.
And Monsanto, of course, is not limited to this project. Today, in addition to the example of Camaçari (BA), it is also possible to find initiatives that range from recycling materials, to burning carbon-neutral resources, to broader projects focused on offsetting, through planting trees, the impact caused by GHGs generated in cargo transportation. In total, there are 32 units of the company spread throughout Brazil, each of them dealing with different challenges, but all committed to applying and developing more sustainable methods and, whenever possible, in conjunction with different stakeholders.
As previously stated, the health of the planet is a decisive factor for everyone. If we are #togetherfortheclimate, the task will certainly be much easier!
