Colombia, January 31, 2022 – In 2021 we faced great challenges that prompted us to contribute decisively to the welfare of the territories we operate in. In a challenging context of economic slowdown and high levels of Covid-19 contagion, we developed some high-impact initiatives in Colombia and Ecuador that contributed to closing gaps and fulfilling the 2030 Agenda.
Health and welfare, our way of promoting the quality of life in our neighboring communities
We reinforced our commitment to become communities’ preferred neighbor and partner through several actions to contribute to our neighbors’ integral development, privileging their access to quality health and education services:
· More than 1,700 neighbors in Colombia received specialized medical services through partnerships we developed with the Colombian Civil Air Patrol and Colombia’s anti-cancer league.
· We donated oxygen supplies to Tauramena hospital in Colombia for the medical care of patients affected by Covid-19.
· In Ecuador, we supported a medical brigade from Sucumbios Government to the Miss Ecuador pre-cooperative, benefiting more than 850 patients.
· We delivered more than 2,200 study kits to children in Casanare, Colombia and Sucumbios, Ecuador.
· In Colombia, we gave 800 children and young people access to digital tools to continue their education from home.
· Over 100 children and adolescents took part in our partnership with the Braian Angola Foundation to promote sports training and healthy coexistence through basketball.
· We trained over 130 social leaders in Casanare, Colombia in leadership, peace, reconciliation and dialogue skills with a focus on human rights.
We contributed to local economic recovery
We contributed to the revitalization of local economies through hiring local labor, promoting productive chains in the territories and supporting rural entrepreneurs:
· In 2021 we increased local staff hires by 20% in Casanare, Colombia, where 78% of the workforce in our operations is local.
· We started a process to accompany 12 of our contractors in the Llanos 34 block in Colombia in earning the certification of Good Labor Practices.
· In partnership with Ecuador’s Socio-Employment Network, we held registration days for the platform in more than six pre-cooperatives for people from our neighboring communities to access job opportunities.
· To contribute to the food security of our neighbors in Ecuador, in partnership with the Municipal Decentralized Autonomous Government (GAD) of Shushufindi we created a garden nursery for 300 families to grow produce.
We contributed to environmental preservation
We made good on our commitment to value natural resources and make every effort to mitigate the impact of our operations and contribute to the preservation of the environment through the following initiatives:
· We announced our strategy to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions through ambitious goals. We expect to reduce our emissions by 35-40% by 2025 and 40-60% by 2030, and we are aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
· We joined the Colombia Carbon Neutral Program promoted by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.
· We started construction of a 10MW photovoltaic solar plant and of a power line to interconnect the Llanos 34 block with Colombia’s national grid.
· We strengthened the hydrometeorological network of the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) in the Meta River hydrographic zone in Colombia, helping enhance capacities for water management, integrated risk management and climate change adaptation.
· We contributed to Colombia’s national reforestation target by planting over 4,400 saplings in several planting drives in Tauramena and Villanueva municipalities.
· We reinforced our actions to contribute to the care of life in terrestrial ecosystems by promoting our partnership with the Orinoquia Biodiversa Foundation (FOB) to monitor the biodiversity of flora and fauna in the areas of influence of our operation in Colombia.
· We completed a reforestation project in the surroundings of the Espejo block in Ecuador to contribute to the recovery of vegetation cover. In this project, more than 13,000 timber and fruit saplings were planted alongside the La Sur, Eno and Shushufindi rivers, as well as around the estuaries and water holes of the block’s area of influence.
· In Ecuador we supported a microbasin protection initiative led by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, PROAmazonía and the Decentralized Autonomous Government of the Province of Sucumbios to reforest 1,200 meters of linear farmland on the banks of the main rivers in El Eno, Lago Agrio.
In 2022 we will continue developing important socio-environmental initiatives in the territories we operate in. We will also continue to promote our commitment to work hand in hand with institutions and our neighboring communities to continue building a legacy of prosperity and development in the areas where we operate.
For more information on our activities in Colombia click here, and in Ecuador here
