For two weeks, COP26 brought together governments, businesses, and civil society to discuss the climate agenda in a highly anticipated conference. CEBDS prepared to represent the private sector in Glasgow, Scotland, with publications, events, and panels on sustainable development.
The Council and its member companies have actively participated in the Climate Conferences since 1997. The 2021 conference is the most important and anticipated since the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
As the representative in Brazil of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), CEBDS is part of a global network of more than 60 national councils spread across all continents. In Brazil, it represents approximately 80 groups, with revenues equivalent to 45% of GDP and responsible for more than 1 million direct jobs.
In preparation for COP26
Before the conference began in September, CEBDS launched the Positioning “Entrepreneurs for Climate”. Together with CEBDS, a group of more than 100 companies and 10 industry entities listed the measures they advocate for a low-carbon economy and their responsibilities in this transformation.
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The document had already been presented to COP26 President Alok Sharma in Brasília in August. Marina Grossi, president of CEBDS, personally delivered the "Businessmen for Climate" position paper, along with proposals for the negotiations scheduled for Glasgow.
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In October, a virtual pre-conference panel presented CEBDS's work strategy for COP26, the preview of the Climate Neutrality Study, the TCFD Executive Summary, in addition to launching the CEO Guide for COP26. As a business platform to discuss sustainability, the Council partnered with 14 private sector institutions and received 115 signatures from CEOs to join forces and show ambition in seeking solutions to achieve the netzero by 2050.
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CEO Guide to COP26 CEBDS Pre-COP26 Event
Also in October, CEBDS hosted another virtual panel showcasing how companies and organizations are working to achieve clean economy goals. The event was a partnership with the international coalition We Mean Business, which brings together more than 2,000 companies seeking to accelerate the race towards carbon neutrality. The coalition is a group of NGOs dealing with business, climate change and policy.
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CEBDS and the business sector during COP26
Once in Glasgow, the CEBDS agenda was intense from start to finish. 17 events with the active participation of CEBDS.
At the November 3rd, the Council, led by Marina Grossi, brought together representatives of large companies in three panels: BSBIOS Indústria e Comércio de Biodiesel Sul Brasil S/A, JBS, Natura &Co, BRF, Sitawi Finanças Sustentáveis, JGP Crédito, Bradesco, Bayer América Latina, Vale, as well as We Mean Business, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), and Climate Ventures. The event The relevance of the business sector in strengthening global climate actions, organized by CEBDS and iCS, discussed the importance of aligning global investments, the need for technological innovations, and highlighted Brazil's competitive potential.
read more and watch the full panel here.
Also on the 3rd, CEBDS was with the WBCSD at launch WBCSD Business Manifesto for Climate Action.
At the November 4th CEBDS participated in the event “Climate and development: visions for Brazil 2030", a panel to discuss a new development model for Brazil that includes decarbonization, a just transition, and a reduction in inequalities, in addition to reducing deforestation. "The CEOs of CEBDS, along with other CEOs from other organizations, came together two years ago and said: illegal deforestation must end as soon as possible. There's no set date; it's as soon as possible. It's a page we have to turn, and turn soon. Keeping the forest standing has been discussed at other COPs, but for the first time, it has become a central issue, which shows that the short term is also a central issue at this conference," Marina Grossi emphasized.
CEBDS also participated in the launch of the SMI-Brazil Race to Zero Investment ForumStrategic discussion with invited Brazilian leaders on the challenges and opportunities arising from the climate crisis in Brazil. The event was attended by Prince Charles, as well as representatives of High-Level Climate Champions.
Side Event: SMI-Brazil Race to Zero Investment Forum (Image: CEBDS)
Another meeting attended by CEBDS was the meeting to discuss the progress of the LEAF Coalition (Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance), a mobilization of US$1 billion in financing for the protection of tropical forests.
At the November 5th, the president of CEBDS, Marina Grossi, participated in the III GAUC Postgraduate Forum - Training in Carbon Finance organized by the Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Engineering, at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Coppe/UFRJ), which analyzed the options to be pursued for low-carbon development.
It was also panel day “A roadmap for a sustainable Amazon: From deforestation-driven to a socially inclusive and green economy” which discussed the main risks and opportunities of climate finance, aligning ESG strategies with effective and impactful projects supported by the private sector. The panel was titled "From ESG Integration to Impact Investing."
Meeting: Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment (Image: CEBDS)
On Sunday, November 7th, to close the first week of COP 26, CEBDS was at “Amazonia Is the Way to Our Future: Business as a Force for Good”, held by Natura & Co. and the Global Landscape Forum, to discuss the importance of the Post-2020 biodiversity framework and the protection of the Amazon. It was during this panel that Marina Grossi presented the Positioning of the Business Sector on the AmazonThe document is the result of joint work between CEBDS member companies and members of the "A Concertation for the Amazon" initiative, which outlined six pillars focused on combating illegal deforestation and promoting an inclusive and regenerative economy. Marina also participated in a private meeting between the Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Espen Barth Eide, and representatives of Brazilian civil society to discuss climate and forests, challenges, and opportunities. Brazil is a core partner of NICFI and Norway.
Publication: “Business Positioning on the Amazon” (Image: CEBDS)
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Natália Renteria, Climate Manager at CEBDS, also participated in the panel with members of the Latin American subnational government of the Under2 Coalition, who demonstrated progress towards net-zero targets, decarbonization pathways, and international engagement: Roundtable: From rhetoric to reality: Funding climate in Latin America.
To discuss adaptation, loss and damage, in the panels of November 8th, CEBDS addressed how the articulation of actions and dialogue between companies is carried out and sustained at the event “Business Climate Leadership in BrazilThe debate was moderated by the president of CEBDS, Marina Grossi, who received representatives from Natura, the president of WBCSD, Peter Bakker and We Mean Business.
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Side event: Business Climate Leadership in Brazil (Image: CEBDS)
The CEBDS president also represented the Brazilian business sector at the WBCSD reception, which brought together CEOs, CFOs, and climate leaders to discuss nature-positive climate action that contributes to mid-century climate recovery.
At the November 9th, the theme was gender, science and innovation, and science-based goals were the focus of the panels, which included the participation of CEBDS. At the event "Science-based goals: the role of subnational governments and non-state actors Brazilians in the implementation of the Paris Agreement”, Natalia Renteria moderated the panel on Science-Based Targets and Industry.
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Side event: Science-based targets: the role of subnational governments and non-state actors Brazilians in the implementation of the Paris Agreement (Image: CEBDS)
On that day, Marina Grossi participated in the panel on the Industry Action Pathways developed by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, highlighting key enablers such as finance, technology, and ambitious policies.
"Brazil is already capable of achieving its 2050 climate neutrality goal, based on three pillars: ending illegal deforestation, regulating Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and creating a regulated Brazilian carbon market. For Brazilian companies, these are crucial points for the country to regain its leading role and benefit from its significant competitive advantages," argued the CEBDS president.
Moving towards the end of the conference, on November 10th, Brazil's potential to present nature-based solutions to the climate crisis brought together representatives of companies and organizations in a debate organized by CEBDS in partnership with iCS, “Nature-based solutions as a lever for solving the climate crisis”The business sector was represented by BRK Ambiental, Suzano, and Bayer, who revealed the challenges and opportunities of the agenda. Also participating were Natalia Renteria of CEBDS, Valerie Kapos, Head of Program for Climate Change and Biodiversity, and Henrique Luz, technical coordinator at CEBDS, who highlighted the importance of companies' pioneering actions in advancing climate goals.
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After the debate, an event promoted by CEBDS brought together leaders for a discussion about the actions of the Brazilian private sector to achieve Climate Neutrality in Brazil.
In partnership with the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), CEBDS concluded its participation in COP 26, in November 11th, with the event “Climate neutrality in Brazil: ending deforestation in the Amazon and the action of the business sector”.
Side event: Climate neutrality in Brazil: ending deforestation in the Amazon and the actions of the business sector (Image: CEBDS)
Publication: “Executive Summary – TCFD Journey” (Image: CEBDS)
The panel showcased the actions of Brazilian companies in mobilizing to achieve the climate neutrality agenda and net-zero emissions targets by 2050, but it was also an opportunity to launch two important publications developed by CEBDS: TCFD journey, which explains the global initiative that develops recommendations for more effective climate-related disclosures; and How companies have been contributing to Climate Neutrality, a study carried out by Agroicone and Proactiva in partnership with CEBDS, which presents how neutrality goals emerge from the Paris Agreement and are a natural path to be followed by the parties.
Publication: “How companies have been contributing to Climate Neutrality” (Image: CEBDS)
Press Highlights
Throughout the process and during COP26, the vision of the Brazilian business sector was highlighted in the mainstream press, which brought the vision of CEBDS.
Some highlights in the press:
CNN – Brazilian businesspeople advocate sustainable growth at COP26
National Newspaper – Industrial sector implements changes to cut greenhouse gas emissions
The globe – What does Brazil have to gain from the success of COP 26?
CBN Podcast – CEBDS at COP26
During the Climate Conference, we presented the podcast "CEBDS at COP26" on CBN. The program aimed to discuss the role of the business sector in the COP26 discussions, bringing together sustainability leaders from Brazil's largest companies. The debate featured Eduardo Bastos, Head of Sustainability at Bayer Crop Science; Marcelo Pasquini, Head of Sustainability at Bradesco; Mariana Modesto, Sustainability Director at BRF; Letícia Kawanami, Sustainability Manager at Suzano; and Marcio Nappo, Sustainability Director at JBS.
Listen: CEBDS at COP26 – CBN Radio
CEO Articles for COP26
Throughout this process, CEOs of our member companies produced articles on the main sustainable development issues on the agenda at the Conference.
Check it out:
ON THE CLIMATE AGENDA, 2050 IS NOW
By Walter Schalka, president of Suzano.
CLIMATE SOLUTION DEPENDS ON THE “UNIVERSALIZATION” OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
By Susana Carvalho, Executive Director of JBS Fertilizantes e Ambiental.
CARBON SEQUESTION: THE NEW WAY TO MAKE AGRICULTURE SUSTAINABLE
By Maurício Rodrigues, CEO of Bayer Crop Science Latam
COP26 Debriefing
To conclude the discussions on COP26, CEBDS will hold the COP26 Debriefing: An Analysis of CEBDS, debate on the results and the future after the 26th UN Climate Change Conference.
Experts and leaders from the business sector and civil society will meet to analyze the main recommendations of COP26 and outline the paths Brazil will need to take to meet its climate commitments.
