State establishes socio-environmental cooperation with Hydro to combat wildfires

The governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, signed an agreement on Monday (10) with the company Hydro, from the aluminum sector, for the execution of strategic actions that strengthen the State Program for the Prevention and Combat of Wildfires and Forest Fires (PEPIF). With a duration of 36 months, the agreement integrates the socio-environmental commitments of the company and aims to support public environmental policies of collective interest.

Among the planned actions are the donation of equipment and operational support to field teams, to enhance Pará's response and prevention capacity against forest fires and illegal burning.

During the signing ceremony held at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), Helder Barbalho highlighted Pará's role in addressing climate change. "We will only have climate justice if we have social justice. To guarantee these rights to the environment and the local society, we will be promoting peace in the Amazon and contributing to a better world, which avoids the rise in temperature and projects for future generations the decisive contribution of our time," he stated.

The governor also emphasized the results already achieved by the program. "Last year we had a large number of forest fires and this year we have already reduced the hotspots of burning by 85%."

Equipment and training of teams

The agreement provides for the acquisition, maintenance, and distribution of specialized equipment used in prevention and combat actions, according to the Annual Operational Plan of the program, established by State Decree No. 4,739/2025. The initiative also includes the training and qualification of operational teams.

"We have been discussing several agreements with Hydro. This first one involves direct support to PEPIF, with the delivery of equipment being defined by the Fire Department, to strengthen the teams that operate on the front lines," explained the Deputy Secretary of Management and Environmental Regularity of the State Department of Environment and Sustainability (Semas), Rodolpho Zahluth Bastos.

Zahluth stated that, "the partnership reinforces the integration between the public sector and the private initiative around the climate agenda and environmental protection."

Bank of Peace: symbolic and sustainable legacy

During the ceremony, the Bank of Peace was also presented, a project inspired by the ideals of Nelson Mandela and a symbol of unity, empathy, and commitment to sustainability. The structure was built with low-carbon aluminum produced in Pará and reinforces the role of the State Government and Hydro in developing innovative and responsible solutions for the future.

More than an urban installation, the Bank of Peace invites reflection on the importance of dialogue in the collective construction of a fairer and more sustainable society. The space will remain as a permanent legacy for Belém, the host city of COP30, inviting the population to think together about paths that reconcile progress and respect for the environment.

Complementary actions in Belém

The agreement also includes actions aimed at the management of urban solid waste in Belém and the training of Semas staff, in partnership with the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The initiatives are aligned with the State Plan Amazon Now (PEAA) and the State Policy on Climate Change (Law No. 9,048/2020), which guide Pará towards a low-carbon economy.

"We will expand the offerings of waste collectors in Belém. Hydro will support this agenda within the structure defined by the City Hall, reinforcing the solid waste management of the capital," highlighted Secretary Rodolpho Bastos.

In the area of qualification of the technical staff of Semas, the agreement provides for the offering of doctoral scholarships for effective staff, in partnership with the Environmental Nucleus (NUMA) of UFPA. "The scholarships will be made available to the Semas teams, reinforcing our strategy of valuing and providing technical training for public servants," emphasized Rodolpho Bastos.

The work plan provides that the first deliveries will be made in the last quarter of 2025, with successive stages until November 2028, ensuring transparency, integrity, and governance in the execution of actions, according to the guidelines of the Government of Pará.

Text by Lucas Maciel / Ascom Semas