Debates also addressed the future of the humanization of work in a scenario dominated by technological advances.
Rio de Janeiro, September 5, 2019 – On the day that Amazon Day is celebrated, concerns about deforestation and the impact of business on the environment were the most discussed topics. CEBDS Seminar Vision 2050: The Future is Made Now, held in São Paulo. Also highlighted were debates surrounding the humanization of the future of work, dominated by technology and innovation.
The event brought together approximately 180 professionals from the 60 CEBDS member companies and leaders from Shell, Siemens, Neoenergia, Alcoa, Braskem, Itaú, Cofco, and institutions such as Abag and Abrafrutas. The consensus was that the business sector faces short- and medium-term challenges, as well as the urgent need to incorporate sustainable and cutting-edge processes and/or habits.
This year's seminar, sponsored by Braskem and Itaú, also discussed topics such as climate, water, biodiversity, social impact, agriculture, energy transition, sustainable finance, and the circular economy, priorities for Brazil's sustainable economic development. It also kicked off discussions for the new Vision 2050, which will be developed over the next year. The document, originally released in 2012, will outline the paths for sustainable development to advance over the coming decades.
With several panels throughout the day, the professionals emphasized that Brazil cannot waste opportunities and that the technologies available on the market must be used as business allies. According to CEBDS president Marina Grossi, planning for the future is extremely important, and companies need to be drivers of new standards and lead the transition. "Businesspeople must commit to these values. They are the ones who will make the difference for customers and ultimately impact the results of the companies they lead," she stated.
Innovation and technology in the agricultural sector dominated the Agriculture 4.0 panel. The agricultural supply chain has grown in recent years, reaching exports of approximately US$101 billion in 2018, according to data cited by Luiz Cornachionni, executive director of the Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG). "In the past, when rural producers exhausted the land's natural resources, they would abandon their land, move to another, and start the whole process over again. Nowadays, with the technologies and data available, farmers no longer need to migrate, and this has ultimately led to better results for the sector," Cornachionni summarized.
Participants in the panel on the financial impacts of climate change emphasized that Brazil has all the conditions to adopt greener policies in companies, but needs to learn to operate within this new business model. "We need to see and believe that these new practices are excellent for prosperity. The country has the potential to attract good and excellent investments, and we need to focus on the excellent ones," stated Siemens CEO André Clark.
To address the challenge of energy transition, the conclusion reached by professionals participating in the debate on the topic is that new energy sources are already being used by consumers, albeit tentatively. One example was cited by Neoenergia's president, Solange Ribeiro, who explained that, at times, 90% of the Northeast region was being supplied by renewable energy. "Brazil has 45% of renewable energy capacity, while other countries have around 25%, so we need to take advantage of this," commented the executive.
About CEBDS
Founded in 1997 by a group of leading Brazilian businesspeople, CEBDS (Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development) is a non-profit civil association that promotes sustainable development through collaboration with governments and civil society, as well as disseminating the most current concepts and practices on the topic. The Council brings together approximately 60 of the country's largest business groups, with revenues equivalent to 40% of GDP and responsible for over 1 million direct jobs. The Council is the representative in Brazil of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and operates through six Thematic Chambers (forums) that bring together representatives of associated companies to build and develop projects related to Sustainability themes: Water, Biodiversity, Climate, Social Impact and Finance.
