At Zembe, we see the ESG paradigm—Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance—as a transformative force in business and investment. This concept, which encompasses three fundamental pillars, already plays and will increasingly play a crucial role in responsible and sustainable corporate practices at Zembe. The environmental component addresses conscious management of natural resources and mitigation of environmental impacts. The social aspect focuses on the well-being of stakeholders and communities involved with the company. Corporate governance aims to enhance transparency and ethics in the organization's decision-making processes. For Zembe, ESG is not just a trend but a comprehensive approach that seeks to balance economic success with societal well-being and environmental preservation, positively impacting businesses, investors, and the world at large. Zembe’s Sustainability Plan is structured around the three ESG pillars (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance), and we are also committed to contributing—at our scale—to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

Given the nature of our business, the SDGs where we can have the greatest impact are 7 – Affordable and clean energy, 8 – Decent work and economic growth, 12 – Responsible consumption and production, and 13 – Climate action. Although we focus on four sustainability goals, our actions also impact five other UN goals: 4 – Quality education, 5 – Gender equality, 9 – Industry innovation and infrastructure, 10 – Reduced inequalities, and 17 – Partnerships for the goals.

Through our commitment to these global goals, we aim to address fundamental issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. By aligning our actions with the SDGs, we aspire—at our scale—to help create a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all.

We seek a comprehensive approach that acts internally while also considering the impact generated upstream and downstream of our individual activity. Initially, we aim for Zembe to monitor its main direct impacts, and in a second phase, to influence the surrounding value chain.

In family-owned small and medium-sized companies like Zembe, investments and concerns span generations—not just quarters. The close relationships we have with our employees, their real-life challenges, and our engagement with the communities we operate in are two more aspects that make sustainability, in a broad sense, a central concern in our organization for many years.

This reality drives companies like ours to make decisions genuinely aligned with sustainability concerns, instead of simply maximizing profits at any cost.

We believe this genuine concern for people is one of our key differentiators compared to multinational companies that compete with us in hiring and retaining talent. This mindset is one of the main pillars for building strong and profitable organizations, creating a virtuous and interesting correlation—where one of the factors that creates strong and profitable organizations is the refusal to seek profit at any cost.

The three pillars defined by ESG—Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance—clearly structure sustainability concerns, and we will use this methodology in our plan.

We are continuously working to reinforce our position as a sustainable partner in the electrical materials industry in Portugal.

Eng. André Serpa, CEO of Zembe

Our Commitment to Sustainability and ESG 🌍♻️

At Zembe, we believe sustainability is more than a goal—it’s a daily commitment. We take responsibility for adopting business practices that respect the environment, promote transparency, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The recognitions we have received reflect this commitment and drive us to keep improving:

EcoVadis Certification
In our first year of application, we scored 57/100, just one point shy of the Bronze distinction. This result motivates us to continuously improve our ESG practices.

ESG Reporting Pioneer Seal
Awarded by SIBS, this seal reinforces our transparency and commitment to structured ESG data disclosure, giving banks detailed access to our sustainability initiatives.

UN Global Compact Membership
We have aligned with this global initiative, reinforcing our commitment to universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

APEE Associative Seal
We received this recognition for our dedication to integrity and anti-corruption practices, promoting an ethical and responsible business culture.

Sustainability Impact Awards 2024
We were honored as national winners in Portugal by Schneider Electric, recognizing the positive impact of our sustainability and innovation initiatives.

We remain committed to evolving and strengthening our ESG strategy, contributing to a more responsible and sustainable sector.