In the context of global climate change, sustainable business development involves the implementation of environmental protection measures leading to the reduction of carbon emissions, conservation of natural resources, waste management and energy generation from renewable resources. Thus companies contribute to the well-being of current and future generations.

As a result of the bilateral agreement signed in September 2022 between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of Japan regarding the implementation of the Joint Credit Mechanism, Joint-Venture "Zernoff" S.R.L. in cooperation with "SDG Impact Japan" initiated a feasibility study on reducing carbon emissions by using residues from bioethanol production. Another goal of the given project is to reduce the dependence of the Republic of Moldova on the import of electricity and natural gas. The study started in September 2023 and will be completed at the end of this year.

"The implementation of the best practices in the field of energy efficiency is one of the strategic priorities of the VERUM GROUP companies. Initiating the electricity generation project based on the industrial residues resulting from bioethanol production will allow us to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. We are grateful to the representatives of the Government of Japan and the Government of Moldova for the support given in launching the feasibility study," said Dumitru Munteanu, CEO of VERUM GROUP.

The Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM) was launched by the Government of Japan under the umbrella of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the aim of promoting technologies that lead to the reduction of carbon emissions and contribute to the sustainable development of partner countries. The Japanese government has signed bilateral agreements under the JCM with 25 countries. Under the JCM, energy efficiency projects, renewable energies, waste management, recovery and destruction of greenhouse gases are eligible for financing.

The Joint-Venture "Zernoff" S.R.L. is part of the VERUM GROUP and is the largest producer of ethanol in the Republic of Moldova and one of the largest in the Black Sea region. The enterprise annually processes over 150 thousand tons of grain to obtain the highest quality products for industrial consumption. The company uses green technologies to produce ethanol, DDGS and CO2. The products are certified according to ISO and ISCC international standards and are exported to 16 countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

JV "Zernoff" S.R.L. was founded in 2001 and is one of the largest enterprises in the Republic of Moldova with a turnover of over 800 million lei and over 300 employees. The company is also one of the largest taxpayers in the Republic of Moldova.

VERUM GROUP is one of the leaders of the agro-industrial sector in the Republic of Moldova. The group creates added value in agriculture and the manufacturing industry through the most efficient use of natural resources, material and financial assets, and human capital. VERUM GROUP companies operate in the following fields: cultivation of field crops, animal husbandry, grain processing, feed manufacturing, food manufacturing, trade in agricultural and industrial products.

VERUM GROUP processes over 10 thousand hectares of agricultural land, has storage capacities of 130 thousand tons of grain, manages 10 production units and has over 1800 employees. The Group develops partnership relations with agricultural producers and final consumers of agricultural and food products.