Sustainable project for rainwater harvesting in Combu wins award and strengthens partnership between Semas and the private sector
With a nature-based solution, the project won the 13th ESG Award from ADVB-PA in the Social - Medium and Large Companies category last Wednesday (28)
The Water for All Project, a result of a partnership between the State Secretariat for the Environment, Climate and Sustainability (Semas), the Institute for Forest Development and Biodiversity of Pará (Ideflor-Bio), and New Fortress Energy (NFE), won the 13th ESG Award from the Brazilian Association of Sales and Marketing Executives - Pará Section (ADVB-PA) in the Social - Medium and Large Companies category last Wednesday (28).
The project is a nature-based solution (NbS) aimed at harnessing rainwater, transforming it into drinking water through an intelligent system of collection, filtration, disinfection, and supply. The initiative is bringing sustainable technology to families on the Island of Combu in Belém, promoting access to quality water and having a direct impact on improving the quality of life in the community. The first phase of the project prioritizes the implementation of the solution in schools and socio-biodiversity enterprises led by riverine collectives on the island.
The project is part of the implementation of the climate component of environmental licensing, whose ESG actions developed by New Fortress in Pará focus on the well-being and development of resilient communities. The company has been operating a natural gas (LNG) terminal since April 2024 and states that natural gas represents a transitional energy source with lower environmental impact and greater energy security.
The Deputy Secretary of Semas, Rodolpho Zahluth Bastos, emphasized the importance of partnerships between the private sector and the State in building solutions for Amazonian communities.
“The Water for All Project is an example of how uniting efforts makes a difference. The Government of Pará, through the Regulariza Pará program of Semas, has prioritized initiatives that enhance the resilience of communities and promote social inclusion through sustainability. This award received by Fortress is recognition of the company's social commitment and a collective effort that transforms lives and points the way to a fairer and more balanced Amazon,” he stated.
The network of partnerships for the implementation of the project also coordinates integration with Pluvi Intelligent Environmental Solutions, the City Hall of Belém, through the Municipal Secretariats of Environment (Semma), Health (Sesma), and Education, Science and Technology (Semec), the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), through the Environmental Nucleus (Numa), and the Geological Service of Brazil (SGB/CPRM).
For the Director of External and Government Relations at NFE, Paul Steffen, winning the award is recognition of work that combines innovation, sustainability, and social commitment.
“New Fortress Energy's investments in Pará have been built with great talent, dedication, and respect for the most rigorous ESG standards. Projects like Water for All in Combu and Aquavila in Salgado, in support of oyster farming, have the partnership with Semas as an inspiration and essential technical support. This synergy ensures that actions have a real impact on communities and promote social and environmental transformation,” he highlighted.
The Government of Pará, through the Regulariza Pará program, a component of territorial and environmental planning for the implementation of the State Policy on Climate Change, plays a central role in promoting climate adaptation and mitigation measures for the development of resilient communities, ensuring technical support, guidance, actions for the conservation of socio-biodiversity, and integration of initiatives into the set of state public policies aimed at sustainability.
