CEBDS has just released its study on the Social Impact of Companies. The publication – which was sponsored by Abril, Itaú, Bradesco, Braskem, Santander, Alcoa, Shell, Votorantim Cimentos and supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung – is now available for download.
The publication was launched at Fiesp, in São Paulo, on July 6, for an audience of around 200 people, and featured speeches by Marina Grossi, president of CEBDS, and Alberto Ogata, deputy director of the Fiesp Social Responsibility Committee.
After the presentation of the publication's content by Fabrízio Rigout, partner at Plan Políticas Públicas, a debate brought together Fábio Abdala, president of the CEBDS Social Impact thematic chamber and sustainability manager at Alcoa; Mariana Marques, vice-president of the CEBDS Social Impact thematic chamber and Head of Global Socioecoefficiency and Corporate Social Responsibility from Votorantim Cimentos; Meron Petro Zajac, executive director of Cetesb; Livia Pagoto, project manager at the Center for Sustainability Studies (GVces); and Eric Shayer, environmental specialist at IFC.
Publication brings indicators and cases
The study will help businesspeople, executives and managers to see more clearly the consequences of companies' activities and their impact on social life. It assesses four sectors – basic and extractive industries; consumer goods; services; finance and insurance – in addition to providing indicators and several case studies, thus giving companies a real picture of how they are impacting communities and municipalities, who they are benefiting and how they can improve their practices and mitigate negative impacts.
“CEBDS works with 70 large business groups and our theme is sustainability and its challenges. And there is no greater challenge than social impact. Therefore, this publication points out ways for companies to start measuring, better evaluating and including this data in business management and planning. It was in this spirit that this work was developed”, commented Marina Grossi, during the launch of the study, at Fiesp.
Consumer goods – one of the most advanced sectors in monitoring social impact indicators
The study reveals, for example, that the consumer goods sector is one of the most advanced in monitoring social impact indicators and in adhering to international standards of socio-environmental conduct. Companies in this sector have been using various certifications to stimulate the productivity and quality of their suppliers, resulting in increased income for small producers, with the aim of reducing systemic social risks and generating shared value on a large scale.
In retail, especially in the clothing industry, the focus on improving the work environment and wages in the supply chain resulted in a reduction in labor conflicts and, together with civil society, pressured governments to improve their inspection and control instruments.
Case Votorantim Cimentos
Among the dozens of cases presented in the study is that of Votorantim Cimentos. A Brazilian leader in the construction materials sector, the company chose its operations located in the city of Primavera, in Pará, to conduct a detailed study of the return on the amount of social investment made in the city. Based on the observation of cause and effect indicators and the application of Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodologies adapted to its context, the company concluded that for every R$ 1 invested in Primavera, there was a return of R$ 4.54 related to factors such as avoided costs (prioritization of local hiring and avoided shutdowns), savings in financial and tax expenses, and the value added to society and the company itself.
