Decarbonizing Congelagos II

Direct:

• Contributing to the decarbonization of the economy, helping to avoid the emission of CO2: with an estimated clean energy production of 1500 MWh per year, the entire solar plant will help avoid the emission of 202 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to planting 9200 trees.
• Energy cost reduction: the decentralized energy production through renewable sources, on the consumption site, eliminates distribution costs, making this a more competitive option than reverting to the national grid. Furthermore, the decreased dependency of the company on the national grid, makes it less vulnerable to price fluctuations and fiscal charges.

Indirect:

• Sustainability commitment practices: congelagos has committed to being a sustainable business with a 360º Sustainability vision through measures such as:
  • Advocacy of zero food waste, by positioning itself as Portugal’s market-maker of fish, ready to buy all fish, particularly species that are undervalued and traditionally rejected at sea and wasted, transforming them and placing them in markets that value them;
  • Minimizing the environmental impact of its production and products. The factory does not produce polluting gas, applies policies of minimizing energy and water consumption, and uses reusable consumables whenever possible; 
• Promotion of industry innovation: congelagos invests a substantial portion of its revenues in the development of innovative, sustainable, and healthy products. Congelagos works closely with the University of the Algarve, CoLab B2E and other development partners, developing new products and sponsoring sustainability studies, particularly of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias). 
• Promotion of marine equilibrium: congelagos stimulates the capture of species like mackerel and horse mackerel, which are traditionally rejected and abundant in Portugal. These species compete for resources and are predators of species in recovery. By stimulating their capture, Congelagos is contributing to the rebalancing of marine environments.
• Promotion of sustainable marine economic activity: congelagos acquires fish previously validated by Docapesca (a Portuguese company owned by the Portuguese State and supervised by the Ministry of the Sea), which validates the legality of the captures. In practical terms, the purchase of species in their natural breeding seasons is avoided, and even in periods where fishing is authorized, the company only buys after careful verification of sizes and quantities. Fish purchases are made via direct agreements with small local purse seine boats, contracts with fishermen's cooperatives at a national level, and internationally working only with verified and certified sources.

Direct:

• Contributing to the decarbonization of the economy, helping to avoid the emission of CO2: with an estimated clean energy production of 1500 MWh per year, the entire solar plant will help avoid the emission of 202 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to planting 9200 trees.
• Energy cost reduction: the decentralized energy production through renewable sources, on the consumption site, eliminates distribution costs, making this a more competitive option than reverting to the national grid. Furthermore, the decreased dependency of the company on the national grid, makes it less vulnerable to price fluctuations and fiscal charges.

Indirect:

• Sustainability commitment practices: congelagos has committed to being a sustainable business with a 360º Sustainability vision through measures such as:
  • Advocacy of zero food waste, by positioning itself as Portugal’s market-maker of fish, ready to buy all fish, particularly species that are undervalued and traditionally rejected at sea and wasted, transforming them and placing them in markets that value them;
  • Minimizing the environmental impact of its production and products. The factory does not produce polluting gas, applies policies of minimizing energy and water consumption, and uses reusable consumables whenever possible; 
• Promotion of industry innovation: congelagos invests a substantial portion of its revenues in the development of innovative, sustainable, and healthy products. Congelagos works closely with the University of the Algarve, CoLab B2E and other development partners, developing new products and sponsoring sustainability studies, particularly of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias). 
• Promotion of marine equilibrium: congelagos stimulates the capture of species like mackerel and horse mackerel, which are traditionally rejected and abundant in Portugal. These species compete for resources and are predators of species in recovery. By stimulating their capture, Congelagos is contributing to the rebalancing of marine environments.
• Promotion of sustainable marine economic activity: congelagos acquires fish previously validated by Docapesca (a Portuguese company owned by the Portuguese State and supervised by the Ministry of the Sea), which validates the legality of the captures. In practical terms, the purchase of species in their natural breeding seasons is avoided, and even in periods where fishing is authorized, the company only buys after careful verification of sizes and quantities. Fish purchases are made via direct agreements with small local purse seine boats, contracts with fishermen's cooperatives at a national level, and internationally working only with verified and certified sources.