At a climate and biodiversity seminar in Belem, Brazil on November 18, Fabrini stressed Hydro’s ambition: gaining in-depth knowledge on reforestation in order to minimize the company’s impact on the environment.

Industry responsibility to minimize footprint

“Our responsibility is to tread carefully and have ambitious aspirations. Globally we face fundamental challenges both in term of climate change and loss of biodiversity - and here in the Amazon it all comes together. We as an industry have to apply our creativity and competence in reducing our footprint,” Fabrini said.

Hydro cooperates with the University of Oslo and three Brazilian research institutions – Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA) and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG) – in its reforestation efforts in Para. The seminar brought together researchers and government representatives from Norway and Brazil to share and discuss research results to date. In parallel to the conference, the Norwegian Research Council and the State of Para signed an agreement of intent for academic cooperation and exchange.

In his speech, HRH Crown Prince Håkon of Norway said he was proud of the results so far, achieved through joint efforts by Norway and Brazil. "Only by uniting researchers, government and private sector can we find solutions to the environmental challenges of our planet," he said.

Moving beyond compliance to set new standards.

“We strongly believe that our material is part of the climate solution. However, to succeed we have to work diligently in reducing our footprint throughout our value chain, and especially here in Brazil. When we mine for bauxite we make an impact on the environment – and that is an impact we would like to keep as small as possible, Fabrini said.

For Hydro to succeed, moving beyond compliance remains essential

“We don’t only want to comply with standards – we would like to set new standards and demonstrate best practice,” Fabrini said, adding: “For Hydro, being honest, transparent and reliable gives us a competitive edge. Hydro is in Para to stay, and we are looking forward to a broad cooperation in order to achieve a sustainable industrial, social and green development in the communities we are a part of.”