Environmental Management
Considering the population growth and the need for global development, environmental resources and the environment are and probably will be increasingly in demand. This context means that organizations must continually improve their processes and policies to generate lower environmental impacts and be more efficient.
In addition, the environmental management generates consequential impacts on other capitals of the company, such as financial, manufactured, human and relations with other stakeholders. Looking from the perspective of opportunities, good environmental management can positively impact those capitals, thus generating greater value for the environment and the business.
At WEG, we continuously seek to improve processes that reduce environmental impacts, basing the activities on preventive measures to protect the environment (such as the conservation of natural resources and management of the emission and waste generation), on investments in technologies and on constant process improvement by establishing environmental objectives and targets.
This environmental management is also important to stimulate and contribute to theagenda and goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), understanding that the constant effort to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts from economic activities are aligned and impact SDGs 12.
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
12.2 By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation by means of prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
Environmental Improvement Programs
WEG Kaizen
WEG Kaizen is one of the forms of participative management that promotes the participation of employees in problem solution and continuous improvement activities that generate positive results in all processes. History of WEG Kaizen projects implemented in Brazil with environmental gains:
WEG Manufacturing System (WMS)
Our WEG Manufacturing System (WMS) program has eco-efficiency and cleaner production as its management practice. This program is based on the concepts, principles and techniques of WCM - World Class Manufacturing.
The WMS is based on technical and managerial pillars, including the Environment Pillar, which aims at:
- Reducing environmental impacts
- Reducing consumption of energy and water resources
- Reducing waste
- Reducing losses and waste.
The objectives and indicators of the environment pillar of the program linked to the productive process are related to:
- Electricity, fuels and compressed air;
- Waste;
- Consumption of inputs;
- Chemical cleaning.
WEG Replacement Plan (Available only in Brazil)
Recycling is a serious subject for WEG, extended up to business. By means of the program for reusing electric motors, the "Exchange Plan", the company has granted a discount on the purchase of a new motor with performance above the law requirements in exchange for a used one. Besides the financial benefit to the customers, the initiative ensures that the low-efficiency motor is no longer used. Once collected by the company, the motors are dismantled and separated into parts for distribution to accredited and tracked recyclers.
Benefits
-
Reduction of electric energy consumption
-
Reliability of the plant
-
Reduction of operating costs
-
Factory Warranty
-
Standard products - offer complete interchangeability with motors already installed
|
Item |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Products sold that can be reused or recycled* (%) – Weight basis |
65 |
66 |
68 |
73 |
|
Products that were actually reused or recycled by the company * (%) – Weight basis |
21 |
13 |
8 |
5 |
* It takes into account only the products placed and recalled in the Brazilian market
Restricted Substances
In order to reduce the use of restricted substances in our processes and products, we created the WEG Restricted Substances List, which undergoes periodic updates and is in line with the main national and international regulations. This list is used in different stages of WEG processes, such as the manufacture of products and packaging, the development of new materials and, mainly, with suppliers of raw materials, components and inputs.
Our List of Restricted Substances is also present in the Supplier’s Code of Ethics and in the Supply Agreements of our supply chain, showing the importance of the subject within the company. In line with the interests of the company, our suppliers are committed to delivering their products to us in accordance with this list.
In line with the issue of restricted substances, WEG is committed to ensuring that its products are free of conflict minerals and, consequently, do not finance armed conflicts.
Investments in Environment
Environmental investments are classified into three categories:
Environmental control: Related to treatment and disposal of waste, treatment of atmospheric and liquid emissions, environmental liability insurances and depreciation of devices and expenses with materials and maintenance.
Equipment: Related to the purchase of equipment for environmental control.
Management: Related to the remuneration of training personnel who act in environmental management, research and development, and certification of environmental management systems.
Below is the amount invested in each category in Brazil.
|
Investiment |
2021
|
2021
|
2022
|
2022
|
|
Environmental Controls |
8,678 |
54.19 |
10,234 |
52.4 |
|
Equipment |
1,329 |
8.30 |
1,788 |
9.2 |
| Management | 6,006 | 37.51 | 7,519 | 38.5 |
| TOTAL | 16,013 | 100 | 19,540 | 100 |
Sustainable Packaging and Biodiversity Preservation
We have a packaging factory, RF Reflorestadora, in Brazil. This company produces all the wooden packaging used in our various product lines. Therefore, we have our own reforestation areas that guarantee the continuous supply of wood and the preservation of this natural resource and areas of natural forests, legal reserves and permanent preservation areas that help in the preservation of the local biodiversity.
|
Areas |
Hectares (ha) |
|
Reforestation |
5,136 |
|
Natural Forests |
2,811 |
| Legal Reserve | 2,445.5¹ |
| Permanent Preservation Areas - APPs | 818.4² |
Notas:
1) Legal Forest Reserve Area not considered in the "Natural
Forests" item.
2) Permanent Preservation Areas not considered in the item
"Natural Forests"
Enviromental Certification
In 2022, considering the scope of employees, 77% of the WEG group was covered by ISO 14001 certification.
Click here to access the certificates
Performance Indicators
In 2021, the scope of monitored units was expanded, including the company's business addresses. Thus, 100% of WEG's global addresses are now included in the indicators.
Water, Effluent And Water Resources
WEG monitors the water consumption of its operations and has several operational controls that ensure efficient management of this resource, thus avoiding waste and promoting conscious consumption. All effluents generated in operations are properly treated and periodically monitored. Part of the effluents treated in the operations are reused in the internal processes.
Solid Waste
WEG has a waste selective collection system in its operations. Waste is separated and sent to recyclers, thus enabling its recovery and the reintroduction of materials in the most diverse production cycles. Part of the waste generated in operations is also recycled by WEG itself, thus returning to the process and forming part of our products.
|
Item |
Unit |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Total hazardous waste recycled/reused |
Metric Tons |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
|
Total hazardous waste disposed |
Metric Tons | 5,822 |
4,905 |
5,484 |
6,511 |
|
Hazardous waste landfilled |
Metric Tons | 1,266 |
1.338 |
1.138 |
850 |
|
Hazardous waste incinerated with energy recovery |
Metric Tons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hazardous waste incinerated without energy recovery | Metric Tons | 4,556 | 3,567 | 4,346 | 5,661 |
|
Hazardous waste with unknown
|
Metric Tons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Data Coverage (as % of denominator) |
% employees | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Climate Change
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In 2021, WEG improved its emissions inventory process. Calculations were performed based on the GHG Protocol and IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) methodology. The improvements made to the 2021 GHG emissions inventory included:
- Scope 1 calculation method review.
- Inclusion of calculation of Scope 3 emissions, in eight categories.
- Expansion of the scope of monitored units, including the company's business addresses. In this sense, 100% of WEG's global addresses are included in the GHG emissions inventory in 2021 and 2022.
- External validation of the greenhouse gas emissions inventory WEG's 2022 Greenhouse Gas emissions inventory was audited and validated by a third party. The validation process gives greater reliability to the values presented and supports the company in continuously evaluating and improving management on the subject.
ACCESS THE WEG GHG INVENTORY HERE
ACCESS THE WEG GHG INVENTORY VERIFICATION LETTER HERE (ISO 14064-1)
Atmospheric emissions
WEG monitors atmospheric emissions related to volatile organic compounds. Below is the result of emissions related to equipment monitored in recent years.
|
Item |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Emissions of volatile organic compounds - VOC (t/year) |
93,5 | 135,2 | 114,5 |
139,3 |
|
coverage rate (%) |
56 |
56 |
56 |
61 |
Energy
WEG has had an Energy Efficiency Policy since 2012, in which it shows its commitment to the management of this input. This policy develops actions to monitor and reduce energy consumption, which contributes to improving the environment. WEG intends to increasingly make its energy sources cleaner, renewable and sustainable.
|
Total Energy Consumption |
Unit |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Total non-renewable energy consumption |
MWh |
466,737 | 462,976 | 499,355 |
478,872 |
|
Total renewable energy consumption |
MWh | 0 |
0 |
56,000 |
86,918 |
|
Total energy consumption (non-renewable + renewable) |
MWh | 466,737 |
462,976 |
555,355 |
565,790 |
|
Data coverage (as % of denominator) |
percentage of employee |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Renewable energy acquisition
In 2022, WEG ensured that 14% of energy consumption came from renewable sources by purchasing renewable energy certificates (I-REC) and bilateral contracts.
In 2024, WEG will have approximately 90% of Brazil's electricity consumption from renewable sources, which is equivalent an average of 45 MW.
Environmental Violations
One of WEG's top priorities is compliance with the environmental legislation applicable to its operations. In the last 5 years, there were no evidence of environmental fines applied to WEG businesses.
Sustainability Policy
WEG Sustainability Policy aims to establish and guide the Sustainability strategies of the WEG Group, with global scope. The Policy is divided into Axes, Themes and Strategic Objectives.