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CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION(CIP)CONTE NTS
Executive Summary9

SDG 1: No poverty

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Itaipu Binacional
Synthesis Report - Itaipu Binacional and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda:
synthesis report/Itaipu Binacional. Dirección de Coordinación Ejecutiva. Directoria de Coordenação.
Central Hidreléctrica de Itaipu: Itaipu Binacional, 2020.
80 p.: il.; 29,5 x 21 cm.

SDG 2: Zero hunger

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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

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SDG 4: Quality Education

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Includes photographs of Itaipu Binacional.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy28

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth32

IGO (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO) License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo/.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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General Coordination: Dirección General Paraguaya, Diretoria Geral Brasileira – Itaipu Binacional.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production46

SDG 13: Climate Action

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www.itaipu.gov.py

SDG 14: Life Below Water

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Av. Tancredo Neves, 6.731 - Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brasil

SDG 15: Life on Land54

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Conclusions

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Infographic

71

Bibliography73

1. Sustainable Development 2. SDG 3. Title

CDU 502.13

Cataloging in Publication made in Biblioteca CHI-MD, Superintendencia de Ingeniería, Dirección Técnica.
This publication is available in Open Access under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0

Editing and writing: Ariel Scheffer da Silva, Ivan Vera, Lígia Leite Soares, Maria Eugenia Alderete, Romeu de Bruns.
Design and layout: Divisão de Imagem Institucional - Assessoria de Comunicação Social
Print: 300 copies - Printed in 2020
ITAIPU BINACIONAL
Avda. España N° 850 e/ Perú y Padre Pucheu - Asunción, ParaguayTel.: (+595) 248-1909 / 248-1908

Tel: (+55) 45 3520-5252
www.itaipu.gov.br

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Daniel Snege/ITAIPU Binacional

Executive summary
Itaipu is a binational entity created by Brazil and Paraguay
in order to generate electricity using the Parana River. The
Itaipu Hydropower Plant today is the largest generator ofrenewable power in the world. By the end of 2018, Itaipu
had generated over 2.6 billion Megawatts-hours (MWh)since the beginning of its operation in 1984. The modern
and relatively decarbonized economies of Paraguay andBrazil depend on the reliable, clean and sustainable electricity from Itaipu.
Itaipu follows sustainable development principles as reflected by its integrated actions and programs supportingsocial well-being, economic growth and environmental
protection, contributing to regional prosperity. Itaipu
supports actions that are directly and indirectly related
to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as social responsibility and environmental management are
major commitments, along with power generation andeconomic development.
For Itaipu, social responsibility is a major commitment
constituting one of its most important missions in its different lines of action. Within the social dimension, activities by Itaipu are designed to help to reduce poverty,
increase food security and enhance nutrition, improvehealth, foster better education and promote equality withrespect to gender, age, disabilities, race, religion, ethnicity
and economic status. They also promote protection ofchildren and adolescents, respect for human rights andpeace.
Within the economic dimension of sustainable development, activities by Itaipu are designed to provide clean
and reliable electricity, create jobs, foster economic
growth, and develop tourism opportunities. Itaipu also
supports building infrastructures and sustainable cities,
and promoting sustainable consumption and production
as well as technology research, development and innovation.

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Itaipu recognizes that the effective integrated management, protection and conservation of all terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems are key activities supporting
sustainability and prosperity. These ecosystems represent
a protected belt that includes natural reserves, biologicalrefuges, and ecological corridors that protect native floraand fauna and advance research and conservation initiatives. These areas and the reservoir provide valuable connections among important remnants of the Atlantic Forest located in Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Itaipu has
partnered with municipalities, communities, private owners and other stakeholders to promote the restoration ofriverside forests, the formation of ecological corridors andthe conservation of agricultural and forest soils.

This Synthesis Report illustrates how Itaipu, withspecific actions, projects and programs, is effectively moving forward the SDGs not only in Brazil
and Paraguay but in South America. Itaipu’s activities are excellent examples of “Best Practices” in
the implementation of the United Nations 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. The work
presented in this report demonstrates that Itaipu
is contributing decisively, through a vast networkof partnerships, to a cleaner and more resilient
planet, for healthier people enjoying enhanced
prosperity and peace.

UNDESA, New York, December 2020.

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Alexandre Marchetti/ITAIPU Binacional“I commend Itaipu Binacional for their decades ofcommitment to an integrated and trans-boundary
approach to sustainable development. With its many
activities, Itaipu Binacional has helped bring prosperity
for the people both in Brazil and Paraguay over the
past 40 years.
Its integrated approach on water and energy in the
search for sustainable solutions, is indeed innovative. It
represents an excellent example of how synergies canbe realized by working together towards the objectiveof achieving sustainable development.
That is why UNDESA is proud to partner with Itaipu
Binacional”
Mr. Liu Zhenmin, United Nation´s Under-Secretary
General for Economic and Social Affairs“The synergies between water and energy are essential
for Itaipu. In the past 40 years, we accumulated many
positive experiences in water care that ensure energy
production in the long term and that are also beneficial
to nearby communities and wildlife, in line with theUN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
Mr. Ernst Ferdinand Bergen Schmidt
Itaipu’s Paraguayan General Director“Itaipu is a successful example of two nations that
overcame their differences to promote sustainable
prosperity for their peoples, as established by the UN’s
higher goals. That’s why we are very enthusiastic aboutsharing our experience in the context of this partnershipwith UNDESA and the Sustainable Water and Energy
Solutions Network.”
Mr. Joaquim Silva e Luna
Itaipu’s Brazilian General Director

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ithin the social dimension of sustainable development, activities by Itaipu are designed tohelp reduce poverty, increase food security and enhancenutrition, improve health, foster better education andpromote equality with respect to gender, age, disabilities,
race, religion, ethnicity and economic status. They also
promote income generation, protection of children andadolescents and respect for human rights.

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The most important activities in Itaipu’s Sustainable Development Strategy for ending poverty
are related to its support for the sustainabilityof Indigenous communities, its Regional Waste
Management Program that generates jobs, its
multiple need-based housing initiatives (suchas San Francisco Barrio housing project), its aid
program for families with disabilities, and its
youth initiatives, such as the Program for theProtection of Children and Adolescents (PPCA)
and the Initiation and Incentive Work Program(PIIT), that promote employment, capacity
building, and protection.

No Poverty

The purpose of the Sustainability of Indigenous
Communities Initiative is to create conditions thatallow for the sustainability of the Guarani way of life incommunities in the region of influence of Itaipu, in orderto guarantee and strengthen the sense of ethnic identity while valuing Guarani traditions in all their aspects.
This activity contributes to infrastructure improvements,
agricultural production, food security, health care, education and handicraft and cultural activities. The effort isdesigned to value the Guarani people and their culture,enhancing their traditions, and way of life with the overall
objectives of guaranteeing equal opportunities, reducing
inequalities and fomenting economic autonomy. Itaipu

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support to indigenous communities follows an integrated approach to their multiple demands and needs. Thesedemands mainly referred to the strengthening of indigenous communities and their organizations, focusing
attention on the recovery of their natural environment
and food sovereignty, seeking to improve wellbeing andreduce dependence on external factors in accordancewith socio-cultural particularities and following the current legal framework on Indigenous Peoples.
Itaipu supported the construction of the Barrio San
Francisco in Asuncion, Paraguay. The new neighborhood provides adequate housing for 1,000 families.
The objective was to build a sustainable urban development model with a comprehensive approach for families
residing in flooded zones. The project includes 112 single-family homes and 888 apartments in 78 three-story
buildings with courtyards and recreational facilities. The
neighborhood includes a civic center, multipurpose spaces, public child-care, schools, a police post, a health post,
parish services, commercial and public spaces, a market
zone, an industrial zone, financial institutions and othercommunity services. About 42% of the total project area
is dedicated to public spaces and green areas, while theother 58% is built up on a 23-hectare site. The neighborhood also has all the basic infrastructure services including potable water, sewage treatment plant, sanitation
sewer, storm drains, underground electrical installations,and free internet access in public spaces. The neighborhood will have 48 commercial spaces in order to enhance the economic development by the generation of
employment, and a space for a textile industry that will
provide employment to the residents of the neighborhood. Considering the environmental aspect, more than
6,200 trees were planted including over 1,200 native tree
species of high environmental value. Barrio San Francisco
is considered a new urban model and the first sustainableneighborhood in Paraguay.

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taipu conducts important activities related to the objectives of SDG 2 which seeks to end hunger, achieve
food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainableagriculture.

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These activities are centered on: providing
education and technical assistance on sustainable and resilient agriculture; providing
technical assistance to farm families for thedevelopment and improvement of organic
farming; development of aquaculture; providing education and support for more nutritious
meals in schools; and conservation of soil andwater in agricultural systems.

Activities on Sustainable Rural Development andSustainable Agriculture promote the diffusion of theagroecological production systems through a networkof Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ATER) focused on production and conversion to organic farming.
Access to the network is free for all family farms in theregion. The program also supports the research, development, and teaching of organic agriculture, meetingthe demands of the region. This action is made possible
through agreements with universities for the training ofteachers, researchers, and students, and the participationin the Paraná Network of Agroecology Research. The initiative also supports technological innovation, such as thedevelopment of an organic no-tillage farming system, andrelevant seminars and publications. Another line of actionis the strengthening of the certification process and commercialization of organic products and family farmingwith support and advice of associations and cooperatives.
The Sustainable Rural Development program also promotes the dissemination of the benefits of organic production to the population, seeking the creation of social,environmental, and commercial links from rural directly

Zero Hunger

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to urban locations. The support is implemented throughlectures in schools and the promotion and participationin relevant events, promotional materials and facilitationof the sale of organic products from family farming.
The Innovative Technological Assistance and Modernization of Family Farming Initiative includes twoactions: (1) modernization of family farming and (2) Innovative Technological Assistance to Family Farming (ATIAF). The action to modernize family farming contributes
to improving the living conditions and income of rural
producers, promoting the strengthening of agricultural
production ventures aimed at integrating markets to regional value chains through services and inputs in order
to consolidate technological modernization, increase productivity, and improve the income of families in situations of poverty and extreme poverty in rural settlements.
By strengthening the farming families financially, a goalof sustainability can be reached. ATIAF aims to ensure
support from the State to low-income farmers and family
producers, leading to innovation and technological implementation that will improve and modernize the production systems, increase productivity, and encourage
diversification of consumption and promotion of income
crops with good market demand. Such innovation will
become a means of achieving the socio-economic progress of families in the beneficiary communities.
The objectives of the Education for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security program are to promote
environmental and economic sustainability of agriculturalactivities that support the production and use of agricultural products for healthy diets increasing food security andencouraging the development of healthy living practices.
In partnership with municipalities, Itaipu offers training
courses on healthy diets and organizes healthy meal recipe contests among the cooks who prepare school meals.
Selected recipes are then published in a “healthy recipebook” distributed to all schools and municipal education
secretariats as a pedagogical tool to improve nutrition in
their corresponding communities and schools.

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Itaipu has multiple initiatives with the aimof ensuring healthy lives and promoting thewell-being for all. The most important initiatives linked to SDG 3 are related to a varietyof effective health programs benefitting communities in Paraguay and Brazil including:
Itaipu’s Health Work Group, the Reduction ofMaternal, Newborn and Children Mortality
Program, Alliances with foundations working
in public health and welfare, the strengthening of surveillance and controlling Arbovirosis
in Alto Paraná, Project Rescue, SUS Patient
Care at Ministro Costa Cavalcanti Hospital,
the Tesãi Foundation, and Education in Healthfor Sustainable Development. As a result of
these coordinated health-related initiatives,
Itaipu has been able to effectively improve thehealth of many people living in the region.

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Good Health and Well-Being

The Itaipu Health Work Group aims to contribute to
the strengthening of public health policies in the tri-border region, coordinate governmental and non-governmental institutions, and bring together efforts to promotepriority impact actions for the health of the population. It
also aims to support in the formulation and implementation of policies and initiatives of social and environmental responsibility, including cooperation and compliancewith the guidelines of national health systems, emphasizing primary care and equity in health issues. In general,
the initiatives approved in the Health WG are tri-nationaland contain a component of integration and innovation
for sharing experiences. Another component focuses on
local execution and implementation, attending to thepolicies, priorities, possibilities and realities of the healthsystems of each country.
The main objective of the Reduction of Maternal,
Newborn and Children Mortality program, which is

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being implemented by Itaipu in Paraguay, is to reduce
the number of avoidable deaths to zero by improving thehealthcare capacity of the region. An area of great interest is the primary care of pregnant women and the goalof reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates. Itaipu
works with the Family Health Units (USF) which are partof the Public Health System in Paraguay. A new model ofhealthcare and organizational culture, which recognizes
parents and family—together with the healthcare team—as being central to the care of pregnant women, mothers, and the newborn is promoted. The initiative aims to
foment protection of women and respect for newborn
rights. The program is also improving the health infrastructure through building shelters, upgrading physicalinstallations and providing essential equipment for safe
motherhood and childbirth. Itaipu also works to ensurethat there are adequate hospitals available for early medical emergency care.
Itaipu has key Alliances with Public Healthcare andWelfare Foundations in Paraguay, which have been
established in order to strengthen the public healthcare
program of the country. The support from these alliances allows hospitals and health centers to benefit from
infrastructure projects, medicine supply programs andtraining activities directed to healthcare personnel. The
support aims to provide comprehensive quality services
particularly to the most vulnerable areas of the country.
The support also includes technically advanced medical
equipment and ambulances equipped with all necessary
medical supplies and health monitoring systems. Itaipu
has health alliances with the Ministry of Public Health andSocial Welfare of Paraguay, UNICEF and the Tesãi Foundation, among others. The alliance with the Ministry of
Public Health and Social Welfare is strengthening publichealth through the construction, renovation and expansion of the Family Health Units (USF). This alliance also
supports enhancing the interconnexion among public
hospitals of the country. The alliance with UNICEF allows
the implementation of the Zero Maternal and Newborn
Deaths campaign.

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The purpose of the Project Rescue is to provide careservices to men between the ages of 18 and 59 who areusers of psychoactive substances. There is the intent toexpand care to women as well, but in a separate venue.
This action has been active since 2010 and is currently
being performed in the Brazilian municipality of Foz do
Iguaçu, which has a population of almost 260,000 inhabitants. The initiative takes into consideration the social protection, citizenship rights and human and social
development of the beneficiaries. The activities ensure
the full protection of individuals who use psychoactive
substances, recognizing the conflict processes, the inherent difficulties, and the possibilities for developing theirfull personal capabilities. Activities with family members
aim at rescuing affective ties and overcoming traumatic
disruptions among family members, including monitoring accompanying relatives and possible referrals to themunicipal social assistance network.

Nilton Rolin/ITAIPU Binacional

The main objective of Itaipu’s action on Strengthening
Surveillance and Controlling Arbovirosis in the alto
Parana Region is to contribute towards the reduction in
the morbidity of vector-borne diseases through prevention and containment actions, effective health promotion,and vector control strategies that help reduce the incidence of arbovirosis (related to Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya) in the department of Alto Paraná, in Paraguay.
More specific objectives include: (1) intensify the entomological surveillance and vector control system in an efficient and timely manner; (2) strengthen the capacity of
local response, incorporating human resources as well as
theoretical and practical knowledge for the developmentof activities; (2) decrease the rates of larval infestation of
Aedes Aegypti – the main vector of Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, and Yellow Fever virus – in the high and very highrisk municipalities of the department of Alto Paraná; and(3) intensify health promotion activities for the prevention of arbovirosis in communities.

The purpose of the Health System (SUS) Patient Careat Ministro Costa Cavalcanti Hospital is to subsidize
the attendance of users of the SUS of Paraná, Brazil. The
inclusion of social and environmental responsibility in
Itaipu’s mission reinforced the business desirability ofacting as an agent of social integration and regional development, contributing to the mitigation of the healthcare system problems of the 9th Paraná Health Region,
which includes nine municipalities. Itaipu established the
Itaiguapy Health Foundation for the purpose of running
the Ministro Costa Cavalcanti Hospital, which opened in
1979. This hospital provides medical and hospital care to
Itaipu employees and their dependents, as well as community members in the region. It is the only establishment for the 9th Paraná Health Region in the areas of
oncology, cardiology, high and intermediate pregnancy,and neonatology, in addition to providing 100% of theusual risk obstetric care for the municipalities of Foz do
Iguaçu and Santa Terezinha de Itaipu. This provision ofservices is central to the SUS users in the 9th Paraná
Health Region, covering a population of approximately
400,000 inhabitants.

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By providing a wide variety of different educational opportunities in fields of relevant
sustainability (such as water, energy, health,waste treatment, land and environment, andagriculture), Itaipu has been able to makeprogress towards many targets within the
SDG 4, which calls for ensuring inclusive andequitable quality education, and promoting
lifelong learning opportunities for all. Itaipu’s
educational programs are accessible andbroad in scope, affordable, and backed withscholarships as necessary while maintaining
a focus on technical and vocational skills aswell as with specialized support for people
with special needs including the indigenous
population of the region. Itaipu has also provided important support to the revitalizationof the educational infrastructure and to public schools in Itaipu’s area of influence. This
support includes equipping education centersthat provide services to persons in vulnerable
situations.

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Quality Education

The Itaipu Technological Park (PTI, in Portuguese)
has been important in establishing intellectual capitalin the region. The rapid increase of population during
the eighties and nineties in the region created a needfor a new education and skills profile for the people of
the region, and thus the PTI was created to implant anenabling environment for technological development. Itsfour educational strategic objectives are: (1) promoting
scientific, technological and innovative development ofinterest to Itaipu and the territory; (2) contributing to thetraining of skills, technical qualifications and valorizing
the people living in the territory; (3) promoting actions
that contribute to social, cultural and environmental development; and (4) contributing to the strengtheningof productive activities. One of PTI’s primary purposes

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is to attract university students and to offer specialized
courses and degrees (Undergraduate, Master’s, Doctorate, and Specialized degrees) focusing on the demandsof the region. Some examples of these programs include
undergraduate courses such as in electrical engineering,mechanical engineering, and renewable energy. The PTI
environment also promotes student exchanges. For instance, laboratories are shared between students fromthe State University of Western Paraná (Unioeste) and theFederal University of Latin American Integration (Unila).
In addition, a branch of the Open University of Brazil(UAB) also operates in PTI.
The Education for Sustainability Program aims topromote awareness and train people through content,
concepts, practices and methodologies for sustainable
development. The activities are designed to promote carefor the surrounding communities and those related toeducational tourism involve students and teachers of alllevels of education, as well as community leaders, municipal authorities, farmers, police, and military personnel.
Topics include the importance of renewable energies andhydroelectricity, the rational use of water, conservationof biodiversity, conscious consumption and production,
selective waste collection and the consequent reductionof the ecological footprint, as well as the drafting and execution of sustainable environmental projects.
Itaipu seeks to contribute to the Education for Sustainability of Indigenous Communities, aiming to
improve their quality of life and the environment they
live in. Itaipu’s actions depend on several partnerships
and involve, above all, respect for the cultural identity of
the indigenous communities that are located in Itaipu’sarea of activity. The work strengthens the role of indigenous school education as an agent of social integration,
cultural strengthening, environmental preservation, andsustainability of the indigenous communities. All decisions to intervene in the villages with programs related
to education, culture, or infrastructure, are discussed andagreed with the indigenous leaders and their school com-

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The Itaipu Scholarship Program (Energy for Education) was established in 2006 in Paraguay, with the goalof supporting university training of talented people. The
program provides opportunities to improve the qualityof life and contribute to sustainable development. Since
its implementation, the program has awarded more than
15,500 scholarships to young people throughout thecountry who have pursued their studies in public andprivate universities at the national level. In 2019, in addition to support for tertiary education, training in technicalfields and languages have been included for Paraguayans
who belong to low-income families and have achieved
academic excellence. Almost 5,500 students applied forthe 2019 scholarship competition and about 1,600 scholarships were awarded for study at the university level, of
which 28 were for people with disabilities and 32 werefor people from the indigenous communities. In addition, 125 scholarships were awarded for technical studies
and 68 for languages studies. In total, 1,751 scholarships
were awarded in 2019.

Alexandre Marchetti/ITAIPU Binacional

munities. Some examples of actions developed with thesupport of Itaipu are: the technical and structural support
for the construction of vegetable gardens; the acquisitionof equipment for a computer laboratory; the constructionof a space for environmental studies in schools; technicalassistance for collective food production for subsistence
and surplus marketing; workshops and meetings to add
value to local crafts and tourism; as well as the annual promotion of indigenous games and a cultural week,
which involve an integration program among the indigenous villages.

Itaipu Binacional, in the framework of corporate social
responsibility and the compliance of its business mission
and vision, has supported the Improvement of Educational Infrastructures in Paraguay, as well as providing equipment to the educational institutions. These
actions are mainly taking place in support of the Ministryof Education and Sciences (MEC) and complementing
the actions of the national government of Paraguay. In
relation to support for educational infrastructure, Itaipu
builds classrooms, sports areas, technological areas, andcarries out renovations, painting, improvement of sanitaryfacilities, electrical systems, and structural reinforcementof the public educational institutions and some private
schools administered by for-profit institutions that grant
services to persons in vulnerable situations. Concerning
the task of providing equipment, the majority of the actions are complementary to the technical teams of thefirst level and are necessary for the efficient developmentof the classes. Itaipu also provides mobile classrooms to
support technical training in the specialty areas of welding, gastronomy, informatics, and mechanics related to
motorcycles, electronics, and refrigeration. The goal is
to strengthen training in vulnerable areas and isolated
zones of Paraguay, to allow for adequate entry into thelabor market.

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The most important activities by Itaipu
related to SDG 5, which seeks to achieve
gender equality and empower all womenand girls, involve the raising of awarenessabout the issue of violence against womenand supporting gender equity. These activities are benefiting the general public, multiple levels of society and institutions andspecialized audiences such as educational
professionals and security agents.

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Through the Gender Equity Incentive Program, Itaipu
demonstrates its commitment to gender and race equity, and fair human resources management. The program
focuses on two main actions: implementing gender equity guidelines at Itaipu and strengthening public policies
regarding women. Over the last 16 years, Itaipu has conducted affirmative action initiatives to raise the awarenessof its employees regarding gender equity in the workplace and to strengthen partnerships with different institutions for the development of actions for the generalpublic. The program has been a reference of good practices that contribute to the recognition of human rights
and women’s citizenship. Since 2018, the program hasstrengthened internal areas within Itaipu and establishedexternal partnerships with public agencies at all levels ofgovernment, with non-governmental organizations, withinternational organizations, and with other private andpublic entities. Among international organizations, theprogram has partnered with UN Women and has joined
the UN Women’s “HeforShe” campaign. In Brazil, theprogram chose, as partner with UN Women, the organization Papo de Homem, to lead a workshop entitled“What Gender Equity has to do with Men’s Lives and Careers” as a way to connect men with the issue of gender
equity. The program also partnered with the United Nations Population Fund to implement the “Dating without
Violence” project, which conducts workshops for teachers

Gender Equality

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on the issues of violence during dating and how to build
healthy relationships. In 2011, Itaipu approved its Gender
Equity Policy, basing its actions on guidelines set forth in
the Policy. The program, coordinated by Itaipu’s Social
Responsibility Advisory Board, is overseen by the Gender
Equity Committee, which includes representatives (women and men) of the six boards that comprise Itaipu.
The main objectives of the Protection of Womenagainst all Forms of Violence Program is to ensurecomplete protection of women against all forms of violence by promoting and implementing the relevant lawof Paraguay. For the dissemination of the law and thestrengthening of institutional capacities of entities responsible for the law compliance, two major activities arebeing carried out. The first consists of a new phase ofdissemination of the Zero Violence Campaign with theleadership of the Ministry of Women allowing the training of about 100 key actors from local governments. The
second component includes the institutional strengthening of Itaipu in terms of developing mechanisms to address cases of violence against women, with training andawareness of at least 500 employees. This national effort
started in 2016 with the implementation of the first phaseand is currently in its second phase.

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he Itaipu Reservoir contains 29 billion cubic metersof water with about 135,000 hectares of water surface. Its borders extend for about 170 kilometers along
the boundary between Paraguay and Brazil. The reservoir
is not only used for generating electricity but also for agricultural, fishing, aquaculture, touristic and leisure purposes, as a municipal water source and for maintaining
wildlife in the area. The effective integrated managementof water resources is essential for the optimum long-term
operation of the Itaipu Hydropower Plant. Also, the protection and conservation of all water-related ecosystems
in the area are key activities supporting sustainability inthe region. These ecosystems include the Itaipu Reservoir
and nearby rivers, aquifers, lakes, wetlands and forests.

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Itaipu’s sustainable development strategy recognizes thatwater security1 and sustainable development at the influence area require optimum environmental management,
besides social, economic, cultural and technological development. Therefore, Itaipu has partnered with municipalities, communities, private owners and other stakeholders for the effective implementation of this strategy.

Clean Water and Sanitation

The programs and actions more directly related to SDG 6 include the protection of springs,
the restoration of riverside forests, the formation of biological corridors, conservation ofagricultural soils, the installation of communal
agrochemical cleaning stations and the use of
livestock waste for the production of renewable energy and biofertilizers.

Itaipu supports Practices for Water and Soil Conservation that contribute to reduce sediment delivery fromroads to rivers and the reservoir and increase infiltrationof water in the soil, recharging the underground aquifers
and decreasing the sedimentation of waterways, including the reservoir and its tributaries. These activities are
key to optimizing the quality and quantity of water forthe generation of hydropower and for other water uses.
These activities include: selection of important micro-watersheds, prioritizing the springs that contribute to the
public water supply system; development of the technicalagronomic diagnosis; dynamic participatory engagementwith communities to adopt corrective actions, establishing partnerships in favor of sustainability and supporting
effective commitments for water and soil conservation;
meetings among local partners, for preparing legal instruments for the physical and financial execution of activities; implementation of the Water Pact to enable theexecution of actions to correct environmental liabilities;
and implementation of “Good Practices” on soil conservation, adaptation and sanding of rural roads, recovery
and protection of riverside springs and riparian forests,
communal agrochemical cleaning stations and communal waste distributers, among others.
Itaipu conducts Environmental Monitoring of Waterand Sediments activities that are part of its integrated
management program of water resources. Monitoringand evaluation procedures are in place to gather physical,
chemical and biological information of the ecosystem,
guiding decision making related to water security in compliance with legislation and institutional commitments.
Environmental Monitoring supports several actions developed by Itaipu including sedimentometric monitoring,bathymetric and hydraulic surveys and monitoring of water quality, micropollutants and groundwater.
The Sedimentometric monitoring aims to estimate theaverage lifetime of reservoir and the silting up of thewater ways. The automatic monitoring network has 15
stations that determine the solid discharges and estimate

1 - Water security refers to the recovering and preservation of watersheds and reservoirs through permanent and integrated actions that promote the sustainable use of natural resources,
better socio-environmental conditions and the best availability of water in quantity and quality for different applications.

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sediment production in the basins, also guiding the upstream conservation actions. In 2018 there was significant
improvement in the process of monitoring sedimentation
due in part to progress in the telemetry network monitoring system. The four-year results indicate that thereservoir has an estimated average lifetime of over 180
years. Bathymetric and Hydraulic Surveys aim to gather
submerged terrain physical data, allowing to investigate
the degree of sedimentation of the reservoir and its tributaries and to map vulnerable zones to the formation of
lagoons. The surveys of the arms in the Brazilian margin
occurred in 2017 and in the Paraguayan shore and central
body of the reservoir in 2018. Water quality monitoring
aims to collect, analyze and manage physical, chemicaland biological information of the waters. Water quality
can directly affect multiple uses of the reservoir, such as
water supply, irrigation, fishing, livestock and biodiversity
conservation, among others.
Itaipu conducts activities designed for Mitigating Impacts of Agrochemicals and other Hazardous Materials from rural areas. The objective is to reducethe disposal of toxic agrochemicals, hazardous materials
and nutrients in the main reservoir and its tributaries.
These activities include: installation of communal
agrochemical cleaning stations for farmers to washequipment that might be contaminated with pesticides;
acquisition of communal manure spreaders that encourage proper disposal of organic waste; promoting theuse of manure from poultry and pig farming as fertilizers
for agricultural production; and construction of biodigesters. The springs are the main sources for supplying water
to the communal agrochemical cleaning stations. Therefore, restoration and protection of the springs, ensuringthat the communal supplier tanks operate properly. Itaipu
leads activities that create community awareness of theneed to change customary practices required to improvewater quality and reduce pollution. With the installationof communal agrochemical cleaning stations, for exam-

ple, the population stops washing containers of toxic
products on the banks of the waterways. Instead, people
use the premises duly installed for this purpose. With thecleaning station, the farmers rinse water from containersand equipment in a platform that directs the contaminated wastewater to a proper reservoir, preventing thechemical product from contaminating the groundwaterand rivers.
Major activities on Conservation of Protected Areas
are implemented to guarantee the protection of springs,
wetlands and tributary water courses to the Paraná Riverand the ITAIPU reservoir, ensuring the integrity of the water related ecosystem services of more than 100,000 hectares of protected terrestrial ecosystems. These activities
not only comply with current legislation, they are a strong
additional voluntary contribution to protecting the ecosystems and maintaining an optimum management ofwater resources in the region. They are designed to help
maintain the hydrological cycle through the infiltration
rate of water in the soil that favors the recharge of aquifers, the attenuation of peak flows, evapotranspirationand the reduction of erosion and underground and superficial runoff that produces silting and eutrophication.
Consequently, the positive impacts resulting from these
activities are reflected in the quantity and quality of water that contribute broadly and directly to protecting andrestoring the ecosystems of the region. Sensitization, engagement, education and practical activities are plannedand executed by a trained multidisciplinary team, involving Itaipu technicians, teaching and research institutions,prefectures and other actors in the region, with knowledge of local specificities, in the form of participatory territorial management.

26

Itaipu facilitates Access to Safe Drinking Water tocommunities in the vicinity of the hydropower plant andto isolated populations with water supply difficulties thatcannot be served by the public or private providers ofdrinking water in the region. This activity illustrates Itaipu’s commitment to providing equitable access to safe
drinking water for all the people of the region. During
the construction of the Itaipu Hydropower Plant, the workzone was sparsely populated; therefore, houses werebuilt with access to basic services for workers. One ofthose services was the provision of potable water. A water treatment plant and a distribution network were built
to serve the homes of the different housing districts thatwere built. Today these housing districts are currently partof already established cities with access to drinking watersupported by Itaipu. The service is provided to communities in the Alto Paraná Department of Paraguay including
the cities of Hernandarias, Ciudad del Este and Presidente
Franco and other communities of the region with water
access difficulties. For isolated communities, Itaipu acts
by complementing actions of the national government,
serving the needs of communities for the drilling of wells,
provision of water tanks and construction of distribution
networks. In addition, Itaipu provides support for the
drilling of wells, provision of water tanks and constructionof distribution networks in isolated communities.
Itaipu facilitates Rainwater Harvesting in the region
by installing systems for water collection and storage
for non-potable uses, which include cleaning sidewalks
and floors, irrigating gardens, orchards and grass andanimal troughs, among others. In some locations therainwater is also used for sanitary flushing and cleaning purposes in public bathrooms and other common
facilities, supporting healthier and more productive environments. The systems consist of collection channels,
water troughs, filtration devices, cisterns and distribution
networks. This activity by Itaipu illustrates its support
for increasing water-use efficiency, inducing sustainable
withdrawals and supply of freshwater in the region. The
systems are designed for immediate use of the abundantrainwater available in the region. The use of rainwater
through these systems prevents the use of drinking water for non-potable purposes, increasing the water use
efficiency in communities located near the hydropower
plant and the overall sustainability of water resources in
the region. The systems are installed in schools at urban
areas and on farms.
The Biofloc Fish Farming Technology Project is designed for fish production in sustainable systems (biofloc production) to improve environmental control overaquaculture water and production. The intensification,
concentration and growth of freshwater fish aquaculturein the western region of Paraná provides a scenario of
unsustainability of the current production model, which
can compromise water quality in rivers and the Itaipu reservoir water, and consequently, their multiple uses. The
project has two demonstration units to produce fingerlings in a system with minimum water use and exchange
in the production cycle. The Biofloc Technology system
consists in promoting controlled organic fertilization inorder to favor the growth of microorganisms that use thenitrogen compounds for growth, and result in the production of microbial and organic aggregates called biofloc. The microbial system function as a natural biologicalfilter, allowing the maintenance of water quality and reutilization nutrients that would have been wasted when
feeding the fish and exchanging the water. The systemallows operating with high productivity, biosafety andminimal effluent generation.

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T

he Itaipu Hydropower Plant has an installed capacity of 14,000 megawatts (MW) with 20 generating
units of 700 MW each. In 2016, Itaipu generated 103.1
million MWh which represents a world record of annual
generation for a hydropower plant. Itaipu has played amajor role supporting sustainable development in Paraguay and Brazil in the last 35 years by providing accessto reliable, sustainable and clean electricity that has powered prosperity for the people of both countries.

7

The overall sustainable development strategyof Itaipu is based on an integrated approach torenewable energy generation, water resource
management, biodiversity and conservationof water ecosystems as well as forest and other terrestrial ecosystems. This approach is intrinsically linked to the overall objectives andspecific targets of the SDG in energy (SDG7)
and the other SDGs. The Itaipu Hydropower
Plant has helped to reduce dependence on
coal, oil and natural gas and has also resulted
in a more connected relationship between thetwo countries through their joint partnership.

Affordable and Clean Energy

Itaipu has played a key role in the accelerated increasein the Access of Electricity that has been observed in
Brazil and Paraguay in the last decades. The total current
access of electricity to the population in these countries
stands at 100% in Brazil and 99.3% in Paraguay. The
reliable electricity access that Itaipu has been providing
for over three decades has been translated into an economic boom for the region, characterized by accelerated
expansion of cities in the region, rapid economic growth,millions of jobs, new roads and other public services,
prosperity and sustainable development. Currently, it isestimated that Itaipu provides electricity access to theequivalent of about 37 to 48 million people based on the28

per capita consumption of electricity in Brazil and in Paraguay. The modern economies of Paraguay and Brazil depend on the reliable and secure electricity supplies from
Itaipu. This reliance on efficient and clean electricity has
greatly contributed to the relatively decarbonized economies of Brazil and Paraguay. Today, Itaipu is contributing
to the leading position that Brazil and Paraguay maintain as countries with energy systems highly dependent
on renewable energy and consequently avoiding large
volumes of GHG emissions. The relatively clean energy
systems of Brazil and Paraguay translate into very valuable global benefits reflected in the avoidance of negative
impacts from climate change. With Itaipu, Paraguay has
the capacity to produce five times its national electricity
requirements. Paraguay currently generates the highest
percentage of renewable energy per capita in the world
and is the fourth-largest electricity exporter worldwide,surpassed only by France, Germany and Canada.
Itaipu provides a major contribution to Paraguay andBrazil in terms of the overall Share of use of Renewable Energy in these countries. The Plant generated
90% of the electricity consumed in Paraguay and 15%of the electricity consumed in Brazil in 2018. Itaipu is amajor contributor to the share of renewable energy use
in South America. In 2016 Itaipu generated about 14%of the renewable electricity generated in South America.
The electricity generation from the Itaipu Hydropower
Plant replaces the equivalent of 550,000 barrels of oileach day or 50 million cubic meters of natural gas. In relation to the impacts of climate change, Itaipu is avoiding
the emissions of about 87 tons of CO2 equivalent daily if
it is replacing coal and 38 tons if it is replacing natural gas.
Itaipu promotes the use of different forms of renewableenergy including solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, windand biogas. Itaipu has extensive programs for capacity
building in the area of renewable energy and has createdan International Center for Renewable Energy withemphasis on the development of biogas processes. A total

29

In 2012, Itaipu adopted a model designed to improve theefficiency of its hydropower plant. The major objectiveof Itaipu’s Energy Efficiency Program is to achieve
higher levels of efficiency by maintaining excellence in
the integrated management of water and energy for thegeneration of electricity. It requires integrated and coherent work among the teams of hydrology, operation, andmaintenance. The model has been termed “The Dancewith Waters.” It attempts to make the most of all the water that reaches the reservoir for the generation of electricity. In order to ensure and enhance reliability and productivity, Itaipu is starting a comprehensive technological
update and upgrade of its power plant and substations.
This process is expected to include the assessment andsystematic substitution of equipment and systems used
for supervision, control, protection, regulation, monitoring, and measurement, as well as their respective interfaces with the generation processes, substations, spillway,
and auxiliary equipment of the dam and powerhouse.
The estimated duration of the work is 14 years, and thecost is estimated at about US$ 660 million.

Alexandre Marchetti//ITAIPU Binacionalof 6 units for biogas generation have been established.
These units are producing 790,000 cubic meters of biogas
and 160,000 cubic meters of biofertilizers.

the use of native wood for cooking in rural and indigenous communities of Paraguay by increasing the biomassenergy efficiency. About 85 per cent of rural households
in Paraguay use firewood for cooking. The project contributes to the conservation of forest remnants in the Alto
Parana Atlantic Forest corridor covering six departmentsof Paraguay.
Itaipu along 26 other institutions created the International
Center of Renewable Energies – CIBiogas. The Center is located in the Itaipu Technological Park. The objective of the Center is to support the development of public
policies that regulate and encourage the use of biogas,
while also developing strategies related to the generationof knowledge and the transfer of technology. The Center
currently has six demonstration units.
Itaipu supported the installation of a Hybrid Electric
Generation System for secure energy supply in isolated
places located in the area of Chaco in Paraguay. The system is based on solar photovoltaic and wind technologies
which have been providing reliable electricity. The installation exemplifies Itaipu’s commitment to promoting theuse of renewable energy in isolated rural areas where
there is no access to the grid.

Itaipu is Improving Rural Communities Access toModern Cooking Technologies by distributing Eco
Stoves that use less amounts of wood due to a technology powered by solar energy. The objective is to reduce

30

31

S

DG 8 calls for promotion of sustained, inclusive andsustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment, and decent work for all. Itaipu has demonstrated its commitment to supporting this goal.

8

Itaipu’s Sustainable Development Strategy
includes a comprehensive set of policies,
measures and initiatives that are in conformity with SDG 8 and its targets concerning
decent work and economic growth. Activities by Itaipu are designed to promote
professional development of adolescents,
sustainable tourism, employment in solid
waste management, sustainable procurement policies, fish farming jobs, sustainable rural development, among others.

Decent Work and Economic Growth
Itaipu conducts activities for the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism. The Paraná River, the cities of Foz
do Iguaçu in Brazil, and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, theItaipu Reservoir and the Hydropower Plant form a major
tourist destination. The region is also distinguished by the
scenic adjacent Iguaçu waterfalls and the Atlantic forest
national parks. Today, the Itaipu Tourist Complex (CTI)
hosts many popular attractions, ensuring increasing numbers of domestic and international visitors. The activity
provides important local employment opportunities, andthus forms a major center of tourist economic activity
shared by Brazil and Paraguay. Tourism related services
in the cities of Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este
(Paraguay) have continued to grow, and more hospitality-related services are being provided. The establishmentof a comprehensive tourism satellite account (TSA) may
determine higher economic importance of tourism in theentire cross-border region. Itaipu established its tourism
development program with a view to: (a) disseminate
Itaipu’s work and its social and environmental actions;32(b) generate local employment and income opportunities; (c) increase the number of tourists in the region; (d)increase tourist stay time; (e) ensure economic sustainability of the operation; (f) foster cooperation with thelocal trade association and the community; (g) ensure
participation and representation in tourism entities; and(h) promote innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement of services.
The main objective of the Workplace Safety Management System is the reduction of accidents and incidents related to work, through the strengthening of aculture of prevention and interdependency in terms ofhealth and work safety. Itaipu recognizes the need to seek
continuous improvement in the reduction of work-related incidents and accidents, and of promoting safe andsecure work environments for all workers. This system
has the objective of verifying the procedures and routinesdeveloped by Itaipu and assisting in their improvement
through the implementation of modern techniques forthe management of risks that exist in activities and environments in its hydropower plant. Initially, an assessmentof the management system used by Itaipu was carriedout, identifying the points that could be improved. To
carry out this initial assessment, the best international
practices in force in terms of health and safety at work
were taken as a basis, respecting the laws, particularities
and cultures of both Brazil and Paraguay. Continuous
investment in updating security procedures and internal
standards has been necessary, as well as the training of
employees to carry out the tasks in the safest way possible. Specific works are being developed together with themaintenance team of the organization, mainly throughthe adoption of a new health and safety policy. A programof observations for “Safe Work” as well as the dissemination of safety information, through training and safety
meetings, is being implemented helping to strengthen aculture of prevention and interdependency in terms ofhealth and work safety.

33

As a leading corporation, Itaipu upholds all national andinternational laws and conventions concerning Labor
Practices and Human Rights. Brazil and Paraguay areboth signatories to the International Labor Organization(ILO) Conventions on Child Labor, including Convention
Nr. 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and Work (entry into force 1976), and Convention
182 Concerning Prohibition and Immediate Action on the
Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (entry
into force 2000). Launched in 2005, the National Pact for
the Eradication of Slave Labor in Brazil is a multi-stakeholder initiative involving Ethos Institute, the Social Observatory Institute, the International Labor Organization,
and NGO Reporter Brazil. As a signatory of the Pact, Itaipu is committed to maintaining its supply chain free fromslave labor. Itaipu also has been committed to the Universal 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
since December 2008. Itaipu has regularly submitted its
Annual Sustainability Reports and it has actively participated in several of the Global Compact initiatives andevents, in particular with regard to the empowerment of
women. Furthermore, Itaipu has established a Supplier
Code of Conduct. Thus, suppliers that appear in the National Registry File of Companies Not in Good Standingof the Federal Comptroller General’s Office are not contracted. In order to sign contracts, suppliers are required
to confirm their compliance with national and international labor laws and standards. The Supplier Evaluation
System (SAF) analyzes contractors based on criteria andsustainability aspects contained in ISO 14000 and 26000,
OHSAS 18001, SA 8000 and the Women’s Empowerment
Principles (WEPs). Itaipu has also signed the Pact against
the Exploitation of Children and Adolescents on Brazilian
Highways, and the Declaration of Corporate Commitment to Confront Sexual Violence against Children andAdolescents, as established by the National Secretariat for
Human Rights.

34

Alexandre Marchetti/ITAIPU Binacional

Over the past two decades, Itaipu has been supporting
Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture through the promotion of freshwater fish farms on the Itaipu Reservoir,
where only small-scale subsistence fishing had been undertaken by impoverished families. Itaipu assisted andmobilized the various stakeholders to join a participatory
management committee. The government-supported
freshwater aquaculture and fish production initiative became known as the “More fish in our waters” program. It
aims at community empowerment and the supply of fingerlings and floating net cages, as well as investments intechnical assistance actions to add value to the commercial production. Itaipu provided start-up equipment formodernized fish farming to interested lakeside communities. Equipment included 500 net-pens for raising fish,machines for fish-processing and deboning, equipment
for cold-storage and for live transportation of fish, as wellas computers, printers and training materials. Itaipu andthe related municipal authorities also facilitated the provision of fresh water and electricity to designated fishingpoints to ensure adequate hygienic conditions. In 2019,an action plan, supported by Brazil and Paraguay, was initiated to modify a decree which prohibits the introductionof non-native species, such as the tilapia, into the Itaipu
Reservoir. Based in extensive scientific documentation,
Itaipu’s Brazilian Coordination Board and the Paraguayan technical team prepared a technical note supporting
this initiative which corroborates the viability of the tilapia
cultivation in the Reservoir, taking into account that thisexotic species was introduced in the Reservoir more than
30 years ago and did not establish significant population
nor caused impact on native species.

Itaipu leads activities for the Strengthening and Development of Micro Enterprises. The objective of these
activitis is to attract, select and support micro-entrepreneurs in technical and financial areas. The project is a
joint action between Itaipu and the Paraguayan Industrial
Union, which is an organization with national coverage.
The project seeks to strengthen the entrepreneur’s profile
through general and specific knowledge about the components of Business Management Education. The action
includes analysis of presentations of sustainable businessplans prepared by participants. The presentations are
subject to an important selection process performed via
contest. The project is aimed at strengthening those entrepreneurs of small and medium enterprises who havean entrepreneurial culture that requires skills and maturation. The selection process seeks to enhance, improve or
expand ventures that are economically and socially viable
and that have local and / or international scope. The action promotes citizen development through the advancement of strategies that try to generate job opportunities
and economic initiatives, which will strengthen the development of the entrepreneurial culture. The program
includes the selection of 40 micro-entrepreneurs during
two stages of a contest based on the sustainable businessplans. The planned financing is for over US$570,000, andthe implementation time is 28 months. The program
started in December 2018 and has national coverage.

35

I

taipu has been a strong engine for over three decades
in the trinational border region building important infrastructure and supporting industrialization while fostering research, development and innovation.

9

Itaipu’s commitment to the sustainable
development of Paraguay and Brazil isdemonstrated by actions and policies including the construction of bridges between
the two countries, the overall Regional Infrastructure Development Program and theTechnological Update of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant. Itaipu has been supporting industrialization since its beginning
through its generation of clean and reliable
electricity that allows industries to operate and grow developing markets for theirproducts and services. Its programs on
Sustainable Rural Development and Sustainable Territorial Management have provided additional support for the economic
growth. Itaipu has also boosted importantresearch, development and innovation in
the region through its scientific centers,such as the Center for Advanced Studies on
Dam Safety, the Electrical Systems Automation and Simulation Laboratory and the
Territorial Intelligence Center.

Industry, Innovation and Infraestructure

Since its inauguration in 1965, the Puente Internacional de la Amistad (International Friendship Bridge)
over the Paraná River, which connects the cities of Foz
do Iguaçu in Brazil with Ciudad del Este in Paraguay,
has been the main socioeconomic logistic link between
Brazil and Paraguay in the region. Its strategic location
plays a fundamental role in the region’s development,
boosting export and import trade. In 2018, Itaipu was au-

36

thorized by the governments of Paraguay and Brazil tosupport the Construction of Two New International
Bridges to enhance commercial activities in the trinational region and to improve security conditions at theborder. This initiative is consistent with Itaipu’s missionof supporting the well-being of local communities andregional sustainable development. The total investment
is estimated at around US$ 270 million and construction
is expected to take three years, beginning in 2019. The
construction of the second bridge over the Paraná River,connecting Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Presidente Franco(Paraguay), will strengthen regional integration by improving the infrastructure for trade and tourism between
the two countries. With this new bridge, the International
Friendship Bridge will be used exclusively for light vehicles and tour buses. The other new bridge will be built
over the Paraguay River, connecting the cities of Porto
Murtinho in Brazil and Carmelo Peralta in Paraguay. The
construction of this bridge will help to consolidate theintegration between the Paraguayan and the Brazilianroad systems which are part of the Bioceanic Corridor.
The new two bridges between the two countries will bea further spur to regional development, as it will create
new jobs, strengthen integration, support freight logistics
and mitigate traffic.
The objective of the Centre for Advanced Studies on
Dam Safety (CEASB) is to work on the developmentof strategic dam safety solutions via research with universities and the technical community. This integrated
partnership arrangement allows the formation of professionals with essential skills for the development of thisresearch. The Centre makes possible a multidisciplinary
research environment, integrating the various areas ofknowledge surrounding the theme. It also makes possible integration among companies, research institutes anduniversities. Safety of the dam ranks among the highestof Itaipu´s priorities. The purpose of this action is to reduce the possibility of accidents and their consequencesby keeping structures safe from any type of accident or

37

The Electrical Systems Automation and Simulation
Laboratory (LASSE) allows the testing and verificationof the dynamic performance of equipment and systems
associated with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. One important mission of LASSE is
to bring greater technological self-sufficiency to Itaipu.
LASSE also is supporting Itaipu’s technological updatingplan through research, development and innovation projects. Since 2008, LASSE has been developing solutions for
hardware and software adequate to the needs of Itaipu
and other companies in the electricity sector. LASSE provides an effective multidisciplinary research environment,
integrating the various areas of knowledge involved in
the subject and making possible the collaboration among
companies, research institutes and universities.
The main objective of the Technological Update of
Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant is to maintain thereliability of the equipment and systems and ensure thecontinuity of the high performance of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant. Technological update is consideredan adaptation measure, as modifications to the existing
power plant will increase functionality, safety and effectiveness of operation, alleviating climate uncertainties.

Taking these factors into account, Itaipu is undertaking
the Technological Update of the Plant and its Substations,
including in this process the assessment and systemic
replacement of equipment and systems for supervision,
control, protection, regulation, monitoring, measurement
and their respective interfaces with the generation processes, substations, spillway, dam auxiliary equipment,
and the powerhouse. Heavy equipment such as turbinesand generators have a longer life cycle and are not subject to this update. The expected term of continuous work
is 14 years and the investment will be approximately US$
660 million. Between 2016 and 2018, the Basic Projectof the Technological Update was undertaken, consolidating studies, guidelines and technical specifications forthe tendering process. Throughout this phase, two workshops were carried out with all interested parties fromboth countries, clarifying the characteristics of the projectand receiving suggestions to be analyzed by the various
technical teams of Itaipu. In the second half of 2018, thefirst stage of the tender for the Technological Update wascarried out, called pre-qualification of the companies interested in the execution of the project, classifying Brazilian and Paraguayan companies or consortia that must
attend the bidding process (second stage), with planned
opening of the proposals in the second half of 2019. In
the first half of 2019 the third Technological Update Workshop was held with the presence of only pre-qualified
companies and consortia in the bidding process.
Itaipu is developing an International Standard for
Sustainable Territorial Management. The objective of this activity is to develop methodology to assess
quantitatively the results obtained in actions focused onsustainable development, with emphasis on implications
for biodiversity conservation. By developing international standards, Itaipu sustainability actions and programsin a specific region can become a first territorial model
for sustainable development with accountable biodiversity conservation results. The Itaipu sustainable territorial
development model and the international territorial standards can be replicated in other territories in Brazil, Para-

38

Rubens Fraulini/ITAIPU Binacional

climate extreme event through instrumentation analysis,
visual inspections, special studies and other actions. Recognizing the importance of dam safety, Itaipu continues
investing in equipment and technology, as well as developing, maintaining and improving highly trained andqualified operation personnel to keep the plant fully safe,
thus also ensuring safety for the tri-national border region, where the dam is located, and its population. The
safety conditions of the dam are constantly verified byregular inspections and seismic monitoring. The periodic
maintenance works for the safety of the Itaipu dam arerecognized by other plants for their excellence in the periodicity of monitoring their structures, the qualificationof the professionals involved and the level of detail ofthe criteria to be studied to guarantee the multiple usesof the reservoir.

guay and in other countries and territories committed tosustainable development and biodiversity conservation.
The standards will be based on principles and criteria
approved and recognized at an international level, withguarantee of replicability. The implementation is taking
place through an agreement between Itaipu, the Lasting
Initiative for Earth Institute - LIFE, and the Itaipu Technological Park Foundation. The work plan also foresees thedrafting of the standards, their organization in management system documents, validation tests in selected municipalities, operationalization of the management systemthrough software development and validation, training of
future software users, dissemination of the management
system, and the accreditation of the standard with the International Social and Environmental Standards Alliance(ISEAL), with the publication of reports in Portuguese,
Spanish and English.
The Territorial Intelligence Center was created to promote and support science, research and technology forsustainable development applied to areas of interest to
Itaipu. Other important objectives include: (1) to implement an environmental knowledge management processwith its own spatiotemporal database; (2) to systematize
and provide qualified environmental and territorial information to support Itaipu’s decision-making towards
sustainable development in Western Paraná; and (3)to establish partnerships with non-profit research, technology and education institutions, for the discovery andintegration of content related to the areas of activity. In
2018, Itaipu environmental teams and the Itaipu Technological Park (PTI) established a partnership to implement
the Territorial Intelligence Center to develop research applied in four strategic areas: water security, biodiversity,
climate and territorial intelligence. The Center is a technical-scientific space for associates and partners of Itaipu,
PTI and external collaborating institutions organized toensure that the efforts and resources of research projects
on key themes share the same objectives, goals, indicators and results. As a consequence of this process, there
is a common knowledge base applicable to the technical,
scientific and social development of the region.

39

The most important activities in Itaipu’s Sustainable Development Strategy for the reduction of inequalities are focused on theimplementation of programs that promote
training and education of people with limited
economic means, protection of children andadolescents, sustainability of indigenous communities, inclusion of people with disabilities
and equal opportunities for everyone in forward-looking technological and innovative occupations relevant to the sustainable development of Paraguay and Brazil and of particularinterest to the region. One important mechanism used by Itaipu to reduce inequalities is
the implementation of an extensive programof scholarships designed to empower thosewith low economic resources.

10
Reduced Inequalities

Since 1988, the Initiation and Incentive Work Program (PIIT) has been promoting personal and professional development of adolescents from Foz do Iguaçu
and Curitiba, creating conditions for the adolescent todevelop the values of responsibility, honesty, and professionalism that contribute to the formation of a model
human citizen. The purpose of this initiative is to promote the right to professionalization of adolescents who
are members of families in situations of vulnerability orsocial risk. Students between the ages of 15 and 17 whoare attending basic or high school and come from low
income families participate in the program. The participants receive a monthly allowance, life insurance, transportation voucher, food stamps and medical and dental
assistance. In 2017, the program offered more than 329
young people their first job, as well as courses, workshops and lectures in the areas of education, culture andleisure. More than 6,000 adolescents have participated in
the program. At Itaipu, the adolescent works on averagefour hours a day, for up to 24 months. In addition to40

the Learning Course, a series of workshops are offeredfollowing learning cycles. The workshops total about 170
hours distributed over 18 months of work and are seen
as complementary actions to the daily life of adolescents.
These workshops are about issues such as sexual education, environmental education, socio-emotional skills,
interpersonal communication, drugs, and professional
orientation.
The Inclusion of People with Disabilities Programaims to strengthen and coordinate groups to promote theinclusion of people with disabilities in productive activities
in the region, emphasizing the construction of a more inclusive labor market. It seeks to contribute to the eradication of socioeconomic problems related to the inclusionof people with disabilities. The program is based on the“Collective Impact” methodology seeking to obtain thecommitment of important actors in society from different sectors and with a common agenda to solve complex
and large-scale social problems. The program uses a tool
called the Special Education Development Index (IDEE),
which has made it possible to assess and manage the impact of actions through interviews, reports, documents,
research, and testimonials. Interviews are conducted withleaders, technical and pedagogical staff and with families
and those assisted in order to generate the informationthat is evaluated by the tool. Through this effort, it waspossible to assess the understanding of institutions regarding the inclusion of people with disabilities in thelabor market. This effort allows the mapping of the mainsocial and economic gaps for the inclusion of people withdisabilities in the labor market.

41

I

taipu supports the objectives of SDG 11 which calls formaking cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient and sustainable.

11

Itaipu is conducting many initiatives that are
helping to ensure safe and affordable housing
and sustainable communities while also preserving crucial cultural and natural heritage
for the people who live in the region. Someof the most important activities by Itaipu related to SDG 11 include: provision of affordable
housing to those who live in vulnerable situations; implementation of the Dam Safety program; support for museum management andinstitutions that preserve cultural and natural
heritage; implementation of the Biosphere
Reserve, and implementation of the Itaipu Linear Park and green infrastructure.

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Itaipu has provided financial and technical support for
the Provision of Affordable Housing to Families in
Vulnerable Situations, in both Brazil and Paraguay. The
programs in each country have been administered basedon local criteria. On the Brazilian margin, the Need-BasedFamily Housing Initiative has sought to build 360 houses in the municipality of Quedas do Iguacu, selected via
rankings by the State Department of Family and Social
Development of Paraná (SEDS), based on the family vulnerability index (IVF/PR) and the housing deficit of themunicipalities. The initiative in Paraguay has focused on
the Barrio San Francisco, where Itaipu has built a sustainable urban development model with a comprehensive
approach for families who were living in flood zones in
Asunción. The project is benefiting 1,000 families who
now live in a modern complex built to respond to theirsocial needs with commercial spaces for economic development and green spaces for leisure activities.

42

Support for Green Infrastructure is also a major activity by Itaipu as reflected by the creation of sustainable,
safe and accessible green spaces in different locations in
Paraguay. One of the objectives is to enhance access toimportant green spaces with pedestrian paths, sanitaryfacilities, sewer systems, parking areas, security booths
and other services. An example is the Itaipu Linear Parkin Ciudad del Este, which represents an ecological lungfor the city with the necessary equipment, facilities andinfrastructure for the safe enjoyment of its citizens.
Itaipu provides support for Museum Management
and Institutions that Preserve the Cultural andNatural Heritage. The effort aims to rescue, preserve,
enhance, and disseminate the historical-cultural, technical-scientific, and environmental heritage of Itaipu andthe region, becoming a true instrument of communication and education among past, present, and future
generations. There are three focal areas: Museum Management and Collection Conservation at the Itaipu Ecomuseum in Brazil; the Valuing Regional and Institutional
Heritage program at the Itaipu Tierra Guaraní Museum inParaguay; and the Technical Advisory Program for professionals of preservationist institutions in Itaipu. In Brazil,
the objective is to preserve the collections of the Itaipu
Ecomuseum. The action is developed by the technicalteam of the Itaipu Ecomuseum via conservation efforts
that include the archaeological collection of more than
200 sites, including geology, zoology, historical botany,
and iconography being the result of research developed
during the construction of the hydroelectric dam. In Paraguay, the Valuing Regional and Institutional Heritage
program is conducted in the Entity’s area of influence,
but with some activities being carried out at the national
level through cooperation and inter-institutional support,
in particular with the National Secretariat of Culture. The
activities have been implemented since the creation of
the Tierra Guaraní Museum in 1979 and especially since
the opening of the new Museum Exhibition in 2016.

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Itaipu is the first power plant to become part of the Global Biosphere Reserve Network. Its protected areas ofmore than 100,000 hectares was recognized as a nucleus
zone of the Reserve, which is the highest stage of protection in the category of Biosphere Reserves created by
UNESCO in 1972. With this status, Itaipu is committed
to continue the environmental actions that have alreadybeen implemented and will have a set of rules to follow.
It can also participate in and benefit from the sharing ofresearch from the other reserves around the world, in
addition to strengthening its institutional role as an organization that actively participates in the preservation of
the environment. These activities support the sustainability and resilience of cities, human settlements and rural

Daniel De Granvile/ITAIPU Binacional

It is very important for Itaipu to contribute towards theDevelopment of Communities in its Area of Influence;
therefore, it carries out different activities in order to support the growth of the community school infrastructuredevelopment in order to guarantee safe access to education, collaboration with the management of water supply
systems, intervention in the improvement of transportation routes, among other actions. Some of these efforts
will prepare cities and the communities for future climate
scenarios, making them more resilient and adapted. Thiseffort has multiple objectives in different areas including:(1) to provide educational institutions with a safe, efficient, and complete infrastructure where classes can beheld; (2) to provide the necessary technical and financial
resources for infrastructures for mobile classrooms contributing to the socioeconomic development of citizens,through training and operational skills; (3) to facilitate thetransit in the different municipalities of the region by applying asphalt to roads and pavements, in order to promote the development and economic, social and culturalinteraction, while also supporting other infrastructure
work as necessary for the development of communities;(4) to build emergency social housing; (5) to maintainthe drinking water system of the residential areas; and (6)to execute other internal works and services, for which
local labor is hired.

communities in the overall area of influence of Itaipu.
Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim
to fulfill three complementary and mutually reinforcing
functions: 1) the core areas, which comprises a strictly
protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservationof landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation and corresponds to the 100,000 hectares of Itaipu´sprotected areas; 2) the buffer zone , which surrounds or
adjoins the core areas and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce
scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
It includes the biological corridors between conservation
units and indigenous communities, among others; 3) thetransition area, which is the part of the reserve where thegreatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologicallysustainable. It corresponds to dispersed and low-impact
human settlements or consolidated agricultural areas.
Itaipu is committed to the Revitalization of Public Areas. The purpose of this action is to create and revitalize
Itaipu’s public spaces and those leased to the Municipalities for the development of leisure, sports, cultural andtourist activities and for commercialization of agricultural products. The action is being implemented throughagreements with neighboring municipalities and throughcontracts directly made with Itaipu in its area of influencesince 2018. The effort includes the development of bikepaths and hiking trails and the creation of a municipal
market. The new municipal market will be built in an unused space of Itaipu (the old Cobal building) which will
be revitalized to allow residents of Foz do Iguacu andtourists to get closer to the full culture and cuisine of thearea. This space will allow the valuing of the regional
agro-industry production and commercialization of family farming products and will be configured as anothertourist and cultural attraction for Foz do Iguacu and region.

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45

Itaipu is committed to ensuring sustainableconsumption and production through important activities designed to promote the region´sagro-ecological-industrial growth, supporting
initiatives from families, small businesses, andcompanies. Itaipu also supports initiatives related to education and capacity building activities to develop, guide, and maintain thesustainability of its programs.

12

The purpose of the Territorial Waste Management
Program is to substantially reduce waste generation
regionally via prevention, reduction, recycling and reuseto promote reservoir water safety. The program is active
since 2003, today comprises 55 municipalities in the stateof Paraná and one municipality in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil. The project involves: infrastructure
support actions (construction, refurbishment and expansion of sorting sheds); continuing training in solid waste
management for municipal technicians and waste collector’s leadership; environmental education with actions informal and non-formal education; equipment purchaseand truck acquisition for the Recyclable Recovery Units
Program under contracts with municipalities, including
the Associations and Cooperatives of Collectors; technicalsupport in project management, monitoring of regional selective collection indicators; a recyclable marketing
network; and, environmental services incentive payment
by municipalities to the collectors of waste. The implementation of this program requires the involvement of all
stakeholders in the chain, whether public, private or civilsociety. Also, the staff has the role of aligning the entire
recycling chain with a systemic view of waste management. The social inclusion of the waste collectors and themunicipal technical support is of paramount importancein the creation of solid Municipal Selective Collection Programs.

Responsible Consuption and Production

46

The Sustainable Procurement Program of Itaipu
includes sustainability concerns and life-cycle considerations in the entity’s supply chains. The program enforcesdetailed analysis regarding wasteful resource consumption, pollution and other environmental impacts, health,social, and labour issues, as well as the evaluation of the
product life cycle (from production to disposal), the total
cost of ownership and the applicable laws for the qualification and selection of suppliers and contracts. This
procurement criterion is achieved via contracting conditions that permit minimizing potential negative impacts
and maximizing positive impacts relative to the products
or services to be acquired. To enhance transparency andfacilitate the process, under Itaipu´s strict sustainability
procurement criteria, the self-assessment mechanism
called Flexible Matrix, for measuring and monitoring the
progress of Sustainable Purchases over time, was implemented. Through this program Itaipu´s generates greater
environmental, economic and social benefits.

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The most important activities in Itaipu’s Sustainable Development Strategy with respect toclimate change and the SDG 13 are centeredon the following activities: continuing to provide reliable, efficient and clean renewable
power (avoiding GHG emissions from fossil
fuels) for Brazil and Paraguay; implementing
an integrated management program of natural resources, protecting and restoring waterand terrestrial ecosystems with the participation of local communities and all relevant
stakeholders; implementing a comprehensive
and extensive program of reforestation andremediation in the areas of influence of Itaipu; promoting the use of other forms of renewable energy to satisfy energy needs in thetransport, agriculture, industrial, services andresidential sectors of the economy, minimizing waste generation and helping to further
mitigate climate change effects; and implementing a comprehensive program of datacollection, statistical analysis and modelling
projection of parameters relevant to climatechange.

13
Climate Action

A major priority for Itaipu is the Quantification of
Emissions and Sequestration of Greenhouse Gases
in the region. Itaipu has been building an inventory of different types of emissions and has been involved in a carbon sequestration process. The main objectives of these
activities are enabling a synergistic and integrated analysis of different variables related to emissions and relevant
to sequestration processes that will help to mitigate theeffects of climate change. These activities should result in
proposals for structural improvements to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources and to promote
the further use of renewable energy. The maintenance ofthe vegetation of its Protection Bet and Wildlife Refuges

48

promotes the fixation of the atmospheric CO2 in the biomass of the trees, both above and below the ground. The
donation of seedlings to the municipalities bordering thereservoir also contributes to the increase in the fixationof atmospheric carbon. Itaipu started these activities in2010 in its areas of direct influence including borderingcities and in places upstream of the reservoir, due to thetransfer of seedlings. The inventory related to GHG emissions is carried out based on internationally accepted parameters for quantification of GHG emissions, which areaudited annually by third parties. Regarding emissions,
the GHG Protocol that is accepted worldwide is used by
Itaipu. Based on these emission quantification activities,
the annual managerial emissions of GHGs are estimatedat around 22,000 tons of CO2 equivalent, whereas thereservoir emissions reach approximately 235,000 tonsof CO2 equivalent per year. However, the GHGs fixationby the vegetation of the Protection Belt and Wildlife Refuges reach 5.9 million tons of CO2 (both in Brazil andParaguay); therefore, the sequestration activities of CO2
outweigh the emissions by around 23 times.
The main objective of the Climate Monitoring Platform is to establish a standardized database of meteorological and climate data that allows different actors toanalyze variability and climate trends in the region under
different perspectives. The Climate Monitoring Platform,
with an extensive network and multiple collection points
covering many variables, provides valuable support to all
the stakeholders for the analysis and understanding of
impacts from natural phenomena. Therefore, research
projects, public policy planning, interventionist actions
and decision-making can be based on a scientific basis,49

making results more efficient and accurate. Itaipu supports this activity in all of its areas of influence since 2011in partnership with the Itaipu Technology Park, the Agronomic Institute of Paraná and the State University ofWestern Paraná (UNIOESTE). The climate monitoring
platform includes stations all around its area of influence.
The Climate Monitoring Platform includes four modules:acquisition, transmission, storage and analysis. This structure allows the improved use of particular technology
concepts in each of these modules supporting their objectives. The acquisition and transmission modules are
based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The storage module is implemented through Big Data processing; and theanalysis module uses notions of Artificial Intelligence andBusiness Intelligence.
Monitoring and Analyzing Climate Variability and
Trends is another important activity being conducted by
Itaipu. Its main objectives include to identify and analyze
extreme climate events in the region during the 20th and21st centuries, using direct variables and climate indices,and to evaluate, characterize and identify the relationships between temperatures and precipitations. The effort also aims to identify the periods and conditions mostfavorable to the occurrence of extreme climate events,
and to propose new climate indices, adapted to the overall tri-border region. This activity covers all the areas ofinfluence and is being implemented by Itaipu and the
Itaipu Technology Park through the Territorial Intelligence
Center. As the research progresses, new climate indices
are being generated for monitoring purposes. The resultsof this activity could support future public policies, defineinterventionist actions and support decision-making activities.
Itaipu has a comprehensive and extensive program for
Reforestation and Restoration of Forest Ecosystems. For the implementation of the hydroelectric plantcomplex, Itaipu acquired an area in Brazil and Paraguay

of more than 235,500 ha, which includes 135,000 ha for
the Reservoir and more than 100,000 hectares of Dry
Area, used for forest conservation purposes. The relationship between flooded versus forested area was different
from what was usually practiced at the time of construction, if compared to other hydroelectric projects in whichsmall portions of land were preserved. The Dry Area,
which refers to the Itaipu Protected Areas, is divided into
Biological Reserves, Biological Refuges and PermanentProtection Areas (APP), distributed along the Reservoir inboth banks. They are called the Protection Strip. Its purpose is not only to absorb fluctuations in the water levelof the Reservoir, but also to contribute to the conservation of water resources, landscape, geological stability,
biodiversity, genetic flow of fauna and flora, soil protection and ensure the well-being of the surrounding populations. Conceptually, today, these conservation actions
are considered ecosystem based adaptation measures forclimate change. In 1979, Itaipu started implementing its
largest reforestation program, with the predominant use
of native forest. Between 1979 and 1981, approximately
1.3 million tree seedlings were planted. One of the relevant results of such reforestation program is that Paraná,
the state in Brazil in which the Plant is located, contributed more to the restoration of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil
than any other state. More than 75,000 hectares havebeen regenerated in the last 30 years, and 28% of thisarea (or almost 21,000 ha) corresponds to the actions of
Itaipu Binacional in the Brazilian margin of the Reservoir.
In Paraguay, the reforestation and restoration program
began in 1991. It represents one of the main programs
being supported and implemented by Itaipu, bringing all
kinds of benefits, including global benefits related to climate change. The program covers a very extensive territory throughout all the areas of influence of the Reservoir,
stretching from Hernandarias to Saltos del Guaira, for a
total of 1,524 km. In relation to the overall objective ofconservation of protected areas, Itaipu has developed,
and continues to support, the following resilience andadaptive activities: forest inventory; forest regeneration
and restoration; collection and germination of seeds
and the production of seedlings of native forest species

50

for use in the areas of Itaipu and the Paraná Basin andmaintenance of an ex situ genetic bank of native forest
species. These activities help ensure the integrity of thebiodiversity of more than 100,000 hectares of protected
terrestrial ecosystems.
Itaipu conducts various activities designed to Promote
the use of Renewable Energy. These efforts contribute to the global goals on climate change mitigation by
reducing anthropogenic emissions of GHG. Some ofthese activities include: development of a production
chain for silicon-based photovoltaic panels; implementation of solar thermal projects; installation of solar-windhybrid systems; creation of the International Center for
Renewable Energy with emphasis on the development of
biogas processes and biogas demonstration units; training courses on solar photovoltaic energy; Western Paranáenergy planning; the Atlas of Wind and Solar Potential
Energy of Paraguay, and the State of Paraná Solar Energy Atlas, in Brazil. Itaipu also has a representative as the
Coordinator of the Observatory of Renewable Energies ofParaguay (OER-PY). The OER is a program of inter-institutional and multidisciplinary technical cooperation thatcoordinates and promotes sustainable development withthe purpose of increasing the use of renewable energy,
energy efficiency and the diversification of the energy
matrix.
Since 2018, Itaipu has been working on the installationof an Early Flood Warning System (SATI), which will
provide support by means of preventive actions in realtime in cases when rivers could experience rapid overflowing due to unexpected atmospheric and hydrologicalchanges. The Early Warning System for Floods supports
decision making processes regarding adverse hydrological phenomena in the Paraguay River and provides
essential information to planning processes relevant to

the management of associated risks. The system covers
vulnerable populations of 24 riverside municipalities in 6
Departments of Paraguay. The implementation of this action is intended to be carried out by the Board of Meteorology and Hydrology. The development of SATI is being
carried out by the International Hydrology Center (CIH),
interacting with the Directorate of Meteorology and Hydrology and in cooperation with a number of academic
institutions. It uses technology fully developed by CIH
based on hydrological data used in real time to model
river basin behavior. The system allows the elaborationof automated maps depicting possible flooding risk scenarios and is freely available in a web platform. The work
carried out has been published in an indexed scientificjournal.
Itaipu provides strong support to Centers for Emergency Supplies in case of climatological events locatedin Minga Guazu and Salto del Guaira. The centers were
established in partnership with the Paraguayan National Emergency Secretary and other governmental andnon-governmental organizations. The main objective of
the centers is to provide emergency assistance to families
and organizations affected by unexpected catastrophic events, such as floods, windstorms, landslides, hail
events, etc. The centers strengthen timely responses withbasic supplies such as blankets, mattresses, tents, zinc
roof materials, containers and other important supplies
critical to families who may have their dwellings partiallyor totally destroyed due to these unexpected events. The
effort includes the use of vehicles specifically acquired forthese purposes and temporary living facilities. In addition,
the centers are backed by a control informatics system,
qualified personnel, emergency offices and drone technologies.

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The most important activities in Itaipu’s Sustainable Development Strategy with respect
to SDG 14 (conserve and sustainably use theoceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development) are centered on a numberof activities that follow the “Source to Sea”
approach, which acknowledges a continuum
system of flows that go from source downstream to oceans. Activities along this chain
could have considerable impacts at all stages. Some of the activities that mitigate thesesource to sea impacts include: practices forsoil and water conservation; monitoring of
micropollutants; mitigating activities of agrochemicals and other hazardous materials
from rural areas; conservation of protectedareas; environmental monitoring and controlof water and sediments; and Biofloc fish farming, among others.

14Life Below Water

assessment and monitoring not only of separate partsor zones but of the overall natural regional system including crossing national borders if necessary. The idea is
to look at the water-terrestrial flows as a “continuum” at
the broader regional or even global scales. As in the caseof climate change, this approach is fully justified to beable to identify the real links between the causes and theeffects even though these links may be associated withlarge physical distances and long periods of times. Manyof the activities being conducted by Itaipu are linked to
the flow chain that goes from terrestrial ecosystems, towater ecosystems and ultimately to the Atlantic Ocean
creating impacts all along the way. Itaipu, in partnershipwith several academic institutions, research foundations,municipalities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, develops projects in order to minimize theimpacts arising from the use and occupation of the territory under water.

The monitoring of micropollutants and the mitigationof their impacts represent examples of activities by Itaipu
that protect water and ecosystems from source to sea.
Micropollutants have a direct effect on the water ecosystems of the region including the fresh water in the ParanáRiver basin and, downstream, the salty water in the Plata
estuary in Argentina.
Itaipu recognizes the importance of using the From
Source to Sea approach in the management of natural
resources to be able to achieve sustainable development.
A Source-to-Sea system approach considers the very
many flows that exist of water, flora, fauna, sediments,
pollution, materials, etc., which can carry significant
impacts on activities and ecosystems from the source
downstream and all the way into the sea. This integrated perspective calls for comprehensive management,

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The most important activities in Itaipu’s Sustainable Development Strategy with respect
to SDG 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertificationand halt and reverse land degradation andhalt biodiversity loss) are centered on the following activities: implementing an integrated
management program of natural resources,
protecting and restoring terrestrial and inland
freshwater ecosystems with the participationof local communities and all relevant stakeholders; implementing a comprehensive andextensive program of reforestation and remediation in the areas of influence of Itaipu;
promoting biodiversity conservation; and implementing a comprehensive program of datacollection, statistical analysis and modelling
projection of parameters relevant to ecosystems, forests, desertification, land degradation
and biodiversity.

15
Life on Land

A major priority for Itaipu is the Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Forests in the Protected
Belt of the Reservoir. Itaipu’s protected areas werecreated to guarantee water security and protection of thehydroelectric plant’s impoundment, as well as to promote the recovery and conservation of biodiversity of theflora and fauna of the area. These protected areas consistof 101,000 hectares of land in both Brazil and Paraguay
along the reservoir. They include the biological refuges,
the ecological or biodiversity corridors, and the protected
belt which were designed to promote: the conservationof biodiversity within and beyond the area occupied by
the reservoir; the genetic recovery of tree species; thecontinuous action of environmental education; the protection and maintenance of the whole area; and the establishment of forest nurseries for the implementation of54

one of the largest reforestation programs in the world bya hydropower organization.
In 1975, Itaipu developed the Basic Plan for the Conservation of the Environment, which was a road-map forplanned activities and the vital projects, including theconstitution of the protected areas of the reservoir. Although reforestation efforts had already begun in 1975
on the Brazilian margin, in 1976 Itaipu and the Federal
University of Paraná (UFPR) conducted a forest inventory to identify, classify and qualify forest covered areas
in both the Brazilian and Paraguayan margins that foundthat much of the Atlantic Forest on the Brazilian side had
been cleared away for agriculture and livestock. On the
Paraguayan margin, however, such agricultural development had not yet occurred, and much of the original
forest was still preserved. In this sense, the reforestation
program of forest ecosystems of Itaipu began earlier inBrazil than in Paraguay.
In 1979 Itaipu started implementing its largest reforestation program on the Brazilian margin, with the predominant use of native forest. Between 1979 and 1981
approximately 1.3 million tree seedlings were planted.
Beginning in 2001, efforts were made to connect remnants of Atlantic Forest, resulting in the Santa Maria Ecological Corridor (1,400 km long), linking the National
Parks of Iguaçu and Ilha Grande. In Paraguay, the reforestation and restoration program called Itaipu Preserva
began in 2014. The program covers an extensive territory
throughout all the areas of influence of the reservoir on
the Paraguayan margin, stretching from Hernandarias to
Saltos del Guaira, corresponding to 1,900 hectares andcultural care of restored areas and management of 409
hectares of areas under natural regeneration, located in
the protected belt of the Itaipu Reservoir. A total area of
2,309 hectares has been affected and it includes the natural reserves of Tati Yupi, Pikyry, Itabo, Yvyty Rokai, Limoy,
Pozuelo, Carapa, and the binational biological refuge of
Maracaju, which is managed jointly with Brazil.

55

The Paraguay Biodiversidad program has worked
with groups of rural producers, non-governmental organizations, and indigenous communities to restore andconserve parts of the Atlantic Forest of the Upper Paraná.
A second stage of this program is focused on consolidating the Biodiversity Corridor of the Atlantic Forest of theWestern Region of Paraguay. These efforts are supported
by an agreement of technical cooperation with the Interamerican Institute of Cooperation for Agriculture (IICA)
and an agreement with the World Bank for international
technical assistance.
Itaipu conducts Genetic Conservation for Ecological
Restoration activities supporting the environmental
dimension of sustainable development. The creation offorest germplasm banks was mainly motivated by therecognition of the biodiversity risk situation in forest remnants of a region in the Paraná river basin, a region thatcovers 8,000 km2, and the need to provide material forthe production of millions of seedlings for the ecologicalrestoration of the protected areas and the hydrographic
basin.
On the Brazilian margin, in the nineties, activities wereconducted to test silviculture models and experimentally
evaluate the development of previously little-known species of the regional flora, in addition to executing a project to restore the flora and implement the Germplasm
Bank of the native Atlantic Forest biome. Genetic
recovery was done through the collection of seeds inmatrix trees in the region, aiming to increase the genetic
base of the seeds that would be used in future restoration
projects, respecting the ecological limits of the original

forest. Initially, three nurseries were designed and built
in the municipalities of Foz do Iguaçu, Santa Helena, andGuaíra, Brazil, to meet the demand for the recovery of
Itaipu’s protected areas and biological refuges. In thesenurseries, more than 20 million seedlings were produced,
destined for the organization’s protected areas and, currently, also distributed to other areas in the region of the
Paraná Basin.
On the Paraguayan margin in Hernandarias, since 1976,
the forest nursery of the Environment Center has been
producing seedlings of native forest and fruit species ofinterest for conservation, urban tree planting, and forest restoration in Itaipu’s protected area, as well as inits area of influence, today recognized by UNESCO as
the Reserve of the Itaipu Biosphere, and in other areasof interest nationwide. The nursery has a total area ofapproximately 7,000 m2. There also is a warehouse forstorage, processing and planting of seeds. The averageannual production of the forest nursery is about 1.2 million seedlings of some 90 forest, fruit and ornamental
species.
The Conservation of Regional Wildlife Biodiversity
effort for the preservation of biodiversity of fauna native
to the Itaipu area of influence began with the Mymba
Kuera project in 1982, even before the reservoir was filled
in. Through this initiative many animals were captured in
the area that would be flooded in order to be relocatedand saved. Biologicals Reserves were then created to be
refuges for thousands of plants and animals affected by
the flooding that formed the Itaipu Reservoir. In 1978,
the Itaipu Wildlife Research Center (CIASI) was createdin Paraguay as a refuge for animals, many of which were
threatened with extinction. CIASI has species of mammals, birds and reptiles that mostly represent the Atlantic
Forest of Alto Paraná biodiversity, as well as some species
from other regions of Paraguay. One of its main objectives is the reproduction in captivity of wildlife species

56with conservation problems, for their release in protectedareas as population reinforcement. The CIASI complex
in Hernandarias includes a veterinary hospital to care forthe animals in the collection and others brought from thesurrounding region. CIASI has an agreement with theInstitute of Conservation Biology of the Smithsonian Institution for training in nutrition and care of animals. In
1984, the Wild Animal Breeding Center was built as partof the Bela Vista Biological Refuge, in Foz do Iguaçu,
Paraná, Brazil, to house the region’s species and host theconservation and research of wildlife. Representatives ofthe different species are kept and allowed to reproduce inproperly prepared environments, with a veterinary hospital where animals from the Itaipu refuge and animals
brought by the public inspection agencies receive treatment and/or rehabilitation.
The Monitoring of Invasive Exotic Aquatic Species
began in 1985 to find out the ecological factors that favor
their proliferation and their influence on the structure ofaquatic communities. The monitoring of aquatic species
is performed in the Itaipu Reservoir, in outlets distributedin the reservoir and in the eight main arms of the Brazilian margin, in the case of fish and aquatic plants. The
actions developed by Itaipu in relation to invasive exotic
species are carried out within the scope of the Environmental Monitoring Program, which evaluates the water
and water fauna conditions of the reservoir and its tributaries. The invasive exotic species in the monitored area
are the Golden Mussel (Limnoperna fortunei), some fish
species and the Aquatic Macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata and Urochloa subquadripara). Over the years, control
measures have been tested for several species. Itaipu has
also been actively participating in governmental initiatives
to control species dispersal and bioinvasion. Currently,

evaluations of a filtration system are being carried out(in loco) to contain the larvae of this species. Monitoringof invasive exotic fish species occurs through the compilation of information from professional and amateur
fishing activity, as well as biological information obtained
from fish disembarkation assessments. There are records
in the Itaipu Reservoir of at least 11 exotic species. Amongthem, four species come from the Amazon and Tocantins
basins and have established themselves as invaders withhigh abundance in the area, such as Tucunare (Cichla
kelberi and Cichla piquiti), Cara (Geophagus sveni) andCorvina (Plagioscion squamosissimus), species present
in the region before the formation of the Reservoir. To
reduce possible impacts, Itaipu disseminates informationand encourages the capture of these species throughprofessional and amateur fishing activity. The monitoringof aquatic plants (aquatic macrophytes) began in 1996,
and aims to identify the factors that affect the communities of macrophytes, and those that propitiate the successof invasions and the effects of invasive plants on the communities. Five exotic species are recorded in the Reservoir, with only two invasives: Hydrilla verticullata (native
to Asia and North Africa) and Urochloa arrecta (native
to Africa). In monitoring, the biodiversity index and therelative abundance of the species are calculated. In eacharm of the Reservoir, the maximum depth of occurrenceof the main invasive species is also calculated as a wayof predicting the occurrence limits and the places wherethese plants can cause problems for the multiple uses of
the waters of the Reservoir.

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T

he most important activities in Itaipu’s Strategy forthe promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies
for sustainable development are related to the protectionof children and adolescents, the building of peaceful societies that guarantee respect for women without any typeof violence and the enhancing of the well-being of indigenous population valuing their culture, language andheritage. With respect to the goal of building inclusive
societies, Itaipu has a variety of programs, initiatives andprojects that facilitate the inclusion of everyone regardless of economic situation, ethnicity, gender, disabilities,
etc.

16

The extensive program of scholarships sponsored by Itaipu provide the opportunity ofhigher education for students of limited economic means, as well as those from indigenous communities and people with disabilities. Through capacity building activities andpartnerships, Itaipu is also committed to building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions and organizations at all levels. Promoting and providing incentives for good jobs,
especially for young people, is another major
goal for Itaipu as reflected by its many educational programs. Internally Itaipu has comprehensive and integrated policies that promoteequality and inclusiveness covering areas suchas anti-discrimination, management and salary fairness and unbiased contracting that support diversity and respect for human rights.

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The program promotes actions related to social inclusionof children, teenagers and their families, thus strengthening relevant protection mechanisms of local civil societythat encourage peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The PPCA also aims to keep children and teenagers out of the risk of being approached
for illicit acts, to reduce school drop-out rates and to improve school performance. The effort creates awarenessabout human rights, the rule of law and justice for all. The
PPCA is an example of how Itaipu is helping to promotea culture of peace in partnership with civil society andother local and regional stakeholders, always following
a principle of inclusiveness without any form of discrimination. Additionally, the PPCA promotes sports, education, culture and leisure activities through continuous andstructured activities and through partnerships with specialized local institutions. These initiatives are importantrisk reduction actions in relation to violations of the rightsof children and teenagers and develop and strengthen
personal skills and social values for life that are important
for the formation of healthier, happier and more supportive individuals. The activity represents an option for the
younger generations that is rewarding and with positive
outcomes and an effective alternative to violent and illegal activities that could develop in the streets.

The Program for the Protection of Children andAdolescents (PPCA) is a regional initiative aimed at
protecting, promoting and defending the rights of children and teenagers, combating child labor, sexual exploitation, use of narcotics and other forms of violence.

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Alexandre Marchetti/ITAIPU Binacional

The main objective of the Integrity and Compliance
System of Itaipu is to establish a formal governancemodel in Itaipu that integrates the actions of various
agencies to prevent, detect and curb the practice of unlawful acts, detrimental to the entity’s assets. Following adiagnostic phase in the business environment, steps weretaken to improve business practices, business processes,
and corporate governance procedures. In 2018, the Compliance Office was created to plan, coordinate, integrate
and align the activities relevant to the Integrity and Compliance System, the Corporate Risk Management Systemand the Internal Control environment. In addition, Itaipu
has already adopted strict corporate governance policies
in line with global market requirements and international
regulations. In 2006, Itaipu adopted the corporate governance by the rules of Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These are
the most stringent rules in the international financial market. The implementation of this Act is coordinated by the
Sarbanes-Oxley Management Group. Through this effort,
Itaipu has strengthened its internal control structure, preventing fraud and ensuring adequacy and transparency,
thus constantly improving its economic and financial
management. The Integrity and Compliance System isbeing implemented internally since the beginning of 2018
in all areas of Itaipu, and it also seeks to promote good
integrity practices with external stakeholders.

60

61

F

or Itaipu, inclusive participation through multi-stakeholder partnerships is a major commitment intrinsically linked to its management system. Itaipu follows policies and practices in partnership with many organizations
and civil society that promote prosperity and contributeto improving the well-being of the population in many
communities in both Paraguay and Brazil. Itaipu leads important partnerships for the advancement of sustainableregional development, helping to build more responsible, equitable and solidary societies. In Brazil these actions take place mainly in the area of influence Itaipu andextend to many municipalities in the western region of
the Paraná state. In Paraguay, many actions have national
coverage and benefit different regions of the country.

17

Through effective multi-stakeholder partnerships at the local, national, regional andinternational levels, Itaipu is leading and supporting important activities to reduce poverty,
increase food security while enhancing nutrition, improve health, foster better educationand promote equality with respect to gender,
age, disabilities, race, religion, ethnicity andeconomic status. These partnerships also
promote income generation, protection ofchildren and adolescents, respect for humanrights, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable means of production and consumption.

Partnerships for the Goals

Itaipu, the Binational Partnership, was created by
Brazil and Paraguay in order to generate electricity fromhydropower using the Paraná River, between the Saltode Guaíra to the mouth of the Iguaçu River. Itaipu has
the mission of “Generating quality electricity, with socialand environmental responsibility, promoting economic,
tourism, and technological development, sustainably, in

62

Brazil and Paraguay”. Located on the Paraná River, on
the border of Paraguay and Brazil, Itaipu Binacional is
the result of cooperation between these two nations. It
is not only the result of the mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering required for the construction of the plant,
but also the result of major diplomatic, financial and legal
arrangements. The diplomatic arrangements ensured fairtreatment between two independent countries and resolved border issues. The financial arrangements allowed
the hydroelectric plant to be financed almost entirely, withdebt payments to be made from the electricity generated. Diplomatic understandings between the Brazilian andParaguayan governments began in the 1960s, after initialstudies pointed to the great hydroelectric power potentialof the Paraná River. These understandings resulted in the
Act of Iguaçu, a document signed on June 22, 1966. The
diplomatic studies and understandings between Paraguay
and Brazil resulted in the Treaty of Itaipu (and its annexes),
signed on April 26, 1973. Itaipu Binacional would be created the following year, on May 17, 1974. The constructionof the plant (civil works) would extend until 1982, withthe completion of the dam and filling of the reservoir. The
electromechanical assembly of the 18 generating units
foreseen in the initial project took place until 1992. Another two units were added and opened in 2007 so that
total installed capacity reached 14,000 Megawatts (MW).
The commercial operation began on March 1, 1985, and,as a result, Itaipu began to pay royalties to the nationaltreasures of Brazil and Paraguay, as financial compensation for the flooded areas to form the reservoir. Since
1985, Itaipu has paid more than US$ 11 billion in royalties,
half for each country. It guarantees extra revenue to state
entities, such as government agencies and municipalities,
to prioritize investment in health, safety and education.
Today, Itaipu is the largest hydropower generator on theplanet, and a fair example on how two countries can mobilize and redistribute benefits, in a sustainable way, to assist their people, protect the environment and boost both
economies. Through its extensive partnership network,
Itaipu Binational has emerged as one of the most suc-63

cessful and respected binational partnership efforts in sustainable development and environment and biodiversity.
Itaipu operates in the physical space occupied by the plantand its Reservoir, on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, as
well as in the area of influence in Brazil (over 50 municipalities) and Paraguay (the entire country). Both countries
benefit from the payment of royalties and Itaipu’s power
generation reaches all electricity consumers in Brazil andParaguay. Today, Itaipu is a major partnership aligned withand committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development, also achieving a world-leadingreference position resulting from its work, progress andadvance regarding the Sustainable Development Goals
and its targets. The Itaipu Binacional Partnership, by going
beyond the boundaries of its own original nature and conquering the gaps between these two important nations, has
extended its efforts and determination by forming someof the most challenging partnerships at a global level with
important world organizations but also at the regional level and with official and private organizations. In addition,
Itaipu has extensive partnerships with all stakeholders at
the local and national levels, including civil societies andrural and urban communities. Therefore Itaipu is well positioned with its sustainable development transformation
network of collaborative and complementing partnerships
to support the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and its targets and the universal 2030
Agenda of the UN, concretely and factually integrating theindivisible balance required of the economic, social andenvironmental dimensions of sustainable development.
This powerful partnership network of Itaipu has generated
a successful account of a significant, outstanding and measurable binational sustainable improvement and development to the region, through the various socio-economic,
technological, educational and environmental programs,of different magnitude and scope, that have strategically impacted the whole socio-economic well-being withsteady growth and full inclusion, reaching out even to themost vulnerable population sectors in urban and rural areas and indigenous communities.

The Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions partnership between Itaipu and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
was created in 2017. The objective of this initiative is tobuild a global multi-stakeholder partnership and network
to enhance capacities, dialogues and cooperation at alllevels, for enabling cross-sectoral approaches, advocacy
and knowledge management that address the Sustainable Development Goals on water (SDG 6) and energy(SDG 7) and interlinkages with other SDGs holistically, inorder to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development. Partnership objectives include
sharing best practices, experiences and lessons learned,
skills development, and global awareness.
The Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions partnership works toward the vision of a world where there isan equitable and sustainable use and management ofwater and energy resources for all, in support of humanwell-being and ecosystem integrity in a robust economy,
under the umbrella of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. The vision calls for a new way of thinking
and a new form of international cooperation on waterand energy. It calls for strong partnerships between countries that share common water and energy resources. It
calls for the implementation of a new global businessmodel in which governments, businesses, investors andcivil society come together to spearhead action towardsustainable water and energy for all. At the national level,
it will require major changes in policies, strategies andregulatory frameworks, as well as changes in institutionalarrangements and management practices.
The Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions aims to bea global sustainability network on water (SDG 6) andenergy (SDG 7) interlinkages, with a large number ofmembers from all regions and constituencies, including
governments, businesses, civil society and internationalorganizations. It provides a unique platform for all stakeholders to enhance capacities and signal their high-levelcommitment to support the implementation of SDG 6

64

and SDG 7 in a holistic manner. The goal is for the global
network to become one of the largest global multi-stakeholder-based knowledge networks on energy and water.
One of the main objectives of the International Centerfor HydroInformatics (CIH) is to improve the management of water resources with hydroinformatics solutions,promoting development and innovation, building capacities to use and disseminate them in the field of scienceand water. The International Centre on Hydroinformatics
was created through a partnership between the Brazilian
and Paraguayan Governments with UNESCO´s support
to develop innovative solutions and hydroinformatic
tools, capacity building and knowledge-sharing in thefield of sustainable management of water resources andenergy generation. The CIH has been actively contributing to UNESCO’s International Hydrological Program(IHP). The IHP promotes the development of scientificand technological bases for the generation of methodologies favorable to a coherent administration of water
resources. The existence of the CIH represents a new perspective for the management of the world’s waters andbenefits all UNESCO member countries, especially thosewhich lack access to technologies, such as those in Africa,
Asia and Latin America. Based on the evaluation of themethodology of the management Itaipu applies to hydrographic basins and because of its efficiency regarding
the necessary care for the water and the environmental
sustainability of activities developed in the region, UNESCO decided to offer Itaipu as a reference to the other 70
watersheds overseen by the IHP on the five continents.
The Center represents a major partnership of Itaipu witha variety of partners including: the UNESCO International Hydrological Program, the Itaipu Technological Park
Foundation, the Latin American Energy Organization,
the Federal Technological University do Paraná (UTFPR),
the National Water Agency (ANA) of Brazil, the National
Institute of Space Research (INPE) of Brazil, the Federal
University for Latin American Integration (Unila), the Brazilian Federation of Direct Planting and Irrigation (FEBRA-

PDP), the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)
and the Santa Catarina State University (UDESC).
Itaipu Binacional is a partner of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and an active member
of its Board since 2016. The International Hydropower
Association is a nonprofit organization committed toadvancing sustainable hydropower. The objective of thepartnership is to identify, promote and disseminate bestpractices, and advocate for continuous improvement
around the world. IHA researches and shares hydropower statistics and knowledge, and brings together public
and private organizations, concessionaires, agencies,
consultancies and institutions related to hydro-basedenergy production. IHA members are active in over 100
countries. The IHA Protocol is the main international instrument for assessing and certifying the sustainability ofhydroelectric power practices. To make it acceptable toall sectors, IHA promotes a number of forums in various
countries, where the terms of the Protocol are discussed.
The actions by Itaipu related to the IHA partnership are
implemented at the plant itself and in its area of influence or at the international level through participation
in international events. Itaipu´s participation in IHA has
enhanced its international image and global recognition
as a model organization supporting sustainable development and the UN SDGs and 2030 Agenda.
Itaipu has an important partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. Today, Itaipu holds under its management the largest Atlantic forest remnants of the Alto
Paraná Atlantic Forest, with many species of concern forconservation. The protected areas of Itaipu represent oneof the last shelters that safeguard the region’s biodiversity, in addition to protecting the hydroelectric resources, reducing erosion and sedimentation of the Reservoir
and contributing to mitigation and adaptation to climatechange. In that context, researchers and scientists fromthe Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Centerfor Conservation and Sustainability joined Itaipu Binacional for a 5-year partnership. The main goal is to exchange65knowledge in order to optimize the effective management of flora and fauna in Itaipu’s protected areas, topromote excellence in ex situ conservation of native endangered fauna at the entity’s Wildlife Research Center(CIASI), and to promote the conservation of flora at aregional level. This project closely links CIASI and protected areas in a holistic and comprehensive ecologicalrestoration effort at local and regional levels, and seeks
to turn it into a global environmental reference center.
Scientists and experts from the Smithsonian’s National
Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute also are working
with CIASI and the Center for Protected Areas (CIAP) to
become the biodiversity conservation leaders of the Alto
Paraná Atlantic Forest of Paraguay.
In the region where it operates, Itaipu Binacional develops
a series of initiatives, actions and programs focused on
territorial sustainable management, which have received
various national and international awards. The International Standard Agreement for Sustainable Territory Management is providing a methodology that enables the objective measurement of the results obtained from actions
taken for the sustainable regional development of themunicipalities reached by Itaipu, and how actions havereally contributed to the conservation of biodiversity andthe improvement of the population’s quality of life. LIFE
territorial methodology, proposed by the Lasting
Initiative for Earth (LIFE) Institute and Itaipu, represents an important advance in business and citizens’
involvement in biodiversity conservation. Instead of looking only for a company by its performance on accountable actions for biodiversity, the territorial methodology
development aims at the regional integrated approach
to measure and recognize efforts towards sustainable
development and positive impacts on biodiversity conservation. In addition to providing this measurement of
the efforts, the final outcome of the Agreement will makeit possible to integrate the areas of influence and theBrazilian and Paraguayan banks, by participating in theconceptual development phase of sustainable territorial
management standards, the empowerment of citizens

and the application of standardized tests (PGST), consolidating, moreover, the socio-environmental management
process that Itaipu already promotes under the new systematized model that can be used to calculate and measure results. Also, the Agreement is important in that itallows the final product to be taken over by the Itaipu
Technological Park Foundation (FPTI) and may then be
replicated in Itaipu Binacional’s area of operation in the
Paraguayan and Brazilian sides. The final product of theAgreement is the standard for Sustainable Territory Management, with national and international recognition, in
addition to software developed and tested in the region.
Itaipu, with the participation of the institutions involved,
will rely on the structure and experience in collecting andanalyzing regional sustainability data from the FPTI andthe recognized expertise of the LIFE Institute in coordinating groups and technical work to the development
and operationalization of international management andcertification systems.
In 2003, Itaipu Binacional expanded its mission to encompass a more global, comprehensive approach tosustainability by launching the “Cultivating Good Water”
program, a systemic and participatory water management model focused on the environmental conservation,
strengthened protection, and the communities aroundthe region where the hydroelectric plant is located in the
Paraná Watershed 3. The former Cultivating Good Water
program was expanded and is now called the Watershed
Program. Itaipu Binacional’s Watershed Program
works according to the concept of the river watershed,so the planning and execution of socio-environmental actions are carried out by micro-watersheds, with astrong participatory component. It is then based on the
integrated management of river basins and operates inthe basin, sub-basin and micro-basin, aiming to guarantee the quantity and quality of the waters and also thesustainability of the territory. The program depends oncommunity partnerships, between Itaipu Binacional andmore than 2,100 partners in the 29 municipalities thatmake up the Paraná Basin 3, an area of 8,000 square ki-

66

lometers inhabited by more than one million people. The
program is developed in more than 200 micro-basins
and their respective communities. The performance transcends the political-administrative division of the municipalities respecting the planning unit of nature itself. The
immediate beneficiaries of the program are the residentsof the microbasins of the Hydrographic Basin of Paraná
3 (BP3). The program represents a multi-stakeholder
partnership that includes environmental organizations,researchers, universities, associations, cooperatives andNGOs. It also includes community representatives, municipalities, state and federal agencies, cooperatives, rural
producers, universities, companies, schools, indigenous
communities, city halls, local communities, environmental organizations, researchers, universities, associations,cooperatives and NGOs, among others. By 2014, theprogram had proved that strategic infrastructure projects(especially hydro power plants such as Itaipu Binacional)
should be managed on the firm basis of new governanceand social participation to become poles of sustainablelocal development and positive stakeholder engagementin their areas of influence. It also has shown how an ecosystem services approach including climate change adaptation strategies and the nexus among water, energy
and food can be put into practice in a strong and feasible
way. In addition to all the results in terms of environmental protection and in social and economic inclusion, thecultural change in the relationship among people inside
the communities, and in the relationship between people
and nature, is another legacy of the program.
The objective of the Itaiguapy Health Foundation andpartnership is to provide high-level preventive and curative medical and hospital care to the community, throughagreements with the public and private health systems
and provide conditions for the training and improvementof medical and health personnel. This activity includes
partners from federal, state and municipal governments,
Itaipu and educational and research institutions. Since
1994, the hospital has been managed by the Itaiguapy
Health Foundation and starting in 1996 the hospital be-

gan serving patients from the Brazilian Unified Public
Health System (SUS). The hospital now has over 16,000
square meters of floor space. In 2007, it achieved a level 1
Hospital Certification, which serves as proof of its quality.
Currently, Costa Cavalcanti Hospital ensures emergency
room and high complexity hospital services to the entire
population of Foz do Iguaçu and the surrounding area.
The hospital maintains an agreement with Brazil’s Unified
Public Health System (SUS) and has 200 beds, 120 for
SUS users and 80 for private health plan and agreement
users. In 2018, the Foundation was accredited as the first
Level III of Excellence institution in Paraná. There weremore than 3,400 births, over 2,000 surgeries performed,
5,688 emergency room patients, over 42,000 outpatient
visits, and close to 19,700 patients attended at the Oncology Center. In 2019, Itaipu decided to invest R$ 64,7
million in the expansion of the hospital.
The Tesãi Foundation was created by Itaipu in Paraguay to provide medical services to its staff, beneficiaries
and to people without economic resources in the region.
Itaipu provides financial assistance to the Tesãi Foundation in order to cover its social agreement designed tosupport health services at no cost for communities inneed located in the area of influence of Itaipu. The Tesãi
Foundation provides health services to the Infant-Maternal Hospital of Ángeles, District of Franco Hospital, theMaternal and Emergencies Hospital of Yguazú, and theDistrict Hospital of the City of Hernandarias. The Foundation has focused on strengthening health institutional arrangements, personalized treatment and excellent
services to its beneficiaries and the communities, always
trying to optimize available resources. In addition to this,
Itaipu works in partnership with civil society organizations
and multilateral organizations to finance and execute
projects related to the strengthening of public health carein Paraguay. The objective of these associations is complementary to the work of the Ministry of Public Health of
Paraguay, supporting the improvement in infrastructure,
the provision of medicine, equipment and ambulances,
as well as the training of medical personnel in areas with67

Conclusions

limited or poor coverage of health services. The activities focus on health care centers that care for pregnant
women, newborns, children, indigenous populations andvulnerable people.

The successful operation and management of the Itaipu
Hydropower Plant has guaranteed access to reliable andsustainable renewable electricity to Paraguay and Brazil.
Currently, Itaipu is the largest generator of hydropoweron the planet, with an annual electricity generation record of 103.1 million MWh achieved in 2016. In 2018, it
supplied 90% of the Paraguayan and 15% of the Brazilian
electricity consumption.

The objective of the Border Health Program and partnership is to support health actions in the area of influence of Itaipu and at the trinational border region, including neighbor municipalities from Brazil, Paraguay andArgentina, in line with the respective public sector policies. Members of this partnership include Ministries of
Health of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, health secretariats, health professionals, and public and private institutions. Itaipu Binacional, via the Health on the Border program, helps increase the number of hospital beds in thearea and promotes vaccination, epidemic disease control
campaigns, and waterborne diseases. This program has
been developed in collaboration with the Brazilian andParaguayan Ministries of Health, city administrations andstate sanitary institutions. It operates in 28 Brazilian citiesand 31 cities in Paraguay, reaching 1.5 million people. In
Foz do Iguaçu, bed numbers are on the increase, andhigh complexity services like oncology and heart surgery
are provided. In Ciudad del Este, mother and child related
specialties have been given more emphasis. In the areaof preventive medicine, Itaipu supports binational anti-rabies vaccination campaigns and child multi-vaccination efforts in Paraguay, besides the Binational Campaign
against Dengue. The Health on the Border program has
its own budget. Funding and the technical and politicalbases are defined by the Itaipu Health Work Group madeup of Brazilian and Paraguayan representatives from various governmental spheres related to the public.

Itaipu has played a major role creating prosperity in Paraguay and Brazil and in the region for over three decades.
Itaipu has successfully supported the expansion of electricity access, effectively inducing the development of
the region since 1984. Industrialization, urbanization andtransport road expansion have occurred with extraordinary benefits bringing prosperity to the people and enhancing the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in the two countries.
Itaipu works on research, development and dissemination of new technologies for sustainable development. It
stimulates tourism and supports several projects aimed
at improving the infrastructure of the region. It generates
jobs and economic growth supported by education andtraining activities and through its extensive partnershipnetwork creates an enabling environment for entrepreneurships. The reliable electricity generated through theyears has translated into an economic boom for the region, characterized by accelerated expansion of cities andenhanced public services.
Itaipu recognizes that the effective integrated management, conservation and restoration of all terrestrial andfreshwater ecosystems are key activities supporting sustainability and the protection of the planet. These ecosystems include forests and wetlands surrounding the
Itaipu Reservoir and representing a protected belt withnatural reserves, biological refuges, and ecological corridors that protect native flora and fauna and advanceresearch and conservation initiatives. These areas and the68

reservoir provide valuable connections among important
remnants of the Atlantic Forest located in Paraguay, Brazil
and Argentina. Itaipu has partnered with municipalities,
communities, private owners and other stakeholders topromote the restoration of riverside forests, the formation of ecological corridors and the conservation of agricultural and forest soils.
The strong interconnection between climate change andenergy, water and ecosystems are evident for Itaipu,
and the current activities and policies related to climatechange are key to supporting global efforts on climatechange mitigation, resilience and adaptation, inducing
sustainable development and prosperity. Itaipu has beenable to generate clean and reliable energy since 1984,
avoiding the use of fossil fuels and the emission of millions of tons of GHGs to the atmosphere annually.
Itaipu contributes to poverty eradication, food security,
good health and education, improving the quality of lifeof the people in the border region. Its extensive programfor affordable housing is illustrated by the creation of
the Barrio San Francisco in Paraguay. Its scholarship programs have benefitted thousands of students with limited means, allowing them to pursue tertiary education. Its
comprehensive programs in support of indigenous communities have been key for the rescue of the culture andtradition of the Guarani people. Itaipu has strong programs promoting sustainable agriculture, organic farming and food security, which are benefitting over 8,000
family-owned farms. Through its Health Work Group, theItaiguapy Health Foundation in Brazil and the Tesai Foundation in Paraguay, Itaipu is providing important medical
and hospital support for people in the region and especially to those with limited resources and at risk. Education is a major priority for Itaipu as reflected by its many
programs on capacity development that are accessible
and broad in scope, affordable, and backed with scholarships as necessary while maintaining a focus on technical69

and vocational skills as well as with specializations greatly
relevant for the people of the region. Its Itaipu Technological Park is an enabling environment for sustainable
innovative solutions promoting entrepreneurship andeconomic growth.
Itaipu contributes to peace in the region by leading activities for the reduction of inequalities and the promotion ofpeaceful societies including programs for the protectionof women against violence and for gender equity incentives. It also has programs in cooperation with regional
partners for the protection and well-being of youth including the Program for the Protection of Children andAdolescents and the Initiation and Incentive Work Program. Itaipu’s programs of activities related to peace andinclusiveness, coupled with the promotion of effective
and transparent institutions and of the rule of law andthe end of discriminatory practices, have translated into awell-recognized and respected organization in the region.
One of the main pillars of Itaipu’s strategy is its inclusiveand fully participatory policies and practices. Througheffective multi-stakeholder partnerships at the local, national, regional and international levels, Itaipu leads effective activities inducing sustainable development. For
Itaipu, inclusive participation through multi-stakeholder
partnerships is a major commitment intrinsically linked
to its management. Itaipu follows policies and practices
in partnership with many organizations and civil societythat promote prosperity and contribute to improving
the well-being of the population in many communities
in both Paraguay and Brazil. Itaipu leads important partnerships for the advancement of sustainable regional development, helping to build more responsible, equitable
and solidary societies. Partnerships among companies,
government agencies, institutions and academia are fundamental for the success of Itaipu’s actions.

This Synthesis Report illustrates how Itaipu, withspecific actions, projects and programs, is effectively moving forward the SDGs not only in Brazil
and Paraguay but in South America. Itaipu’s activities are excellent examples of “Best Practices” in
the implementation of the United Nations 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNDESA, New York, December 2020.

70

71

Caio Coronel/ITAIPU Binacional

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