Barrel S.r.l. is deeply committed to sustainability and aligns its operations with the principles outlined in the UN Sustainable Procurement Framework. Our approach encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions, ensuring that our projects and business practices promote long-term positive impacts on both people and the planet.
1. Environmental Commitment
Barrel prioritizes the prevention of pollution, sustainable use of resources, and climate change mitigation across all its operations. Our commitment is reflected in the following areas:
- Prevention of Pollution: We ensure that all materials used in our engineering projects are sourced from certified, environmentally responsible suppliers. Additionally, our transportation fleet and tools are transitioning to electric, minimizing carbon emissions.
- Sustainable Resources: We rely on renewable energy, primarily solar, for both our projects and operations, promoting the use of sustainable materials wherever possible.
- Climate Change Mitigation: By focusing on renewable energy solutions, we help communities reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, actively contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.
- Protection of Biodiversity: Our projects are designed to minimize ecological disruption and protect local biodiversity. We conduct environmental assessments to ensure our operations do not negatively impact local ecosystems.
2. Social Commitment
Barrel places strong emphasis on human rights, labour issues, and gender equality. We are dedicated to improving the well-being of communities where we operate, reflected in the following:
- Human Rights and Labour: We uphold fair labor practices across our supply chains, ensuring that all employees and partners adhere to international human rights standards. Our operations are aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- Gender Equality: We actively promote gender equality within our organization and among our partners. Through our training programs, we empower both women and men to develop skills in the renewable energy sector, ensuring equal access to employment opportunities.
- Social Health and Well-being: Our projects are designed to improve the quality of life in underdeveloped regions, providing access to clean energy, potable water, and essential infrastructure such as healthcare and education facilities.
3. Economic Commitment
Barrel is committed to sustainable economic practices that benefit local communities and contribute to long-term prosperity:
- Whole Life Cycle Costing: Our projects are designed with life cycle costing in mind, ensuring that the benefits of our renewable energy solutions are maximized over time while minimizing operational costs.
- Local Communities and SMEs: We prioritize working with local communities and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), integrating local expertise into our projects to foster economic growth and community resilience.
- Supply Chain Sustainability: Barrel collaborates exclusively with certified suppliers who meet high sustainability standards. This ensures that every component used in our projects is sourced and produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Evidence of Progress and Tangible Results
Barrel S.r.l. has achieved several milestones that demonstrate our ongoing commitment to sustainability:
- Energy Projects: We have implemented off-grid solar power systems in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting healthcare centers and schools while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Gender Empowerment: In regions like West Africa, Barrel has established local manufacturing units, where women are trained and employed in the installation and maintenance of solar systems.
- Sustainable Supply Chain: All materials used in our projects are sourced from suppliers with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, ensuring high standards for environmental and quality management.
Conclusion
Barrel S.r.l. is proud to contribute to global sustainability efforts by ensuring that our business practices are environmentally sound, socially responsible, and economically sustainable. We are fully committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are continuously striving to create a positive impact on the world’s most challenging environments through our renewable energy solutions.