On the morning of April 16, the presidents and vice presidents of the CEBDS Thematic Chambers (CTs) met with the board of directors and technical staff to present the Council's strategic planning, the year's activity agenda and share the CTs' projects, in addition to discussing upcoming challenges and work opportunities.

Marina Grossi, president of CEBDS, highlighted the importance of that forum and the relevance of the 2014 agenda. “The great gain of the Thematic Chambers was to resume their strategic role,” she said.

Executive Director Lia Lombardi presented all of CEBDS's internal restructuring work, as well as the strategic planning developed and the institutional initiatives that the Council is developing.

The Ação 2020 project was presented by CEBDS Content and Project Manager, Ana Carolina Szklo. “We decided to present it to you first to align and hear your position on the strategy we designed to work with Ação,” she explained.

Participation and engagement of CT leaders

For the Sustainable Finance CT, Carlos Nomoto (Santander) and Maria Eugênia Taborda (Itaú) highlighted the advances in the themes of Microfinance, Climate Financing and Natural Capital.

David Canassa (Votorantim) and Vivian Macknight (Vale), president and vice president of the Energy and Climate Change CT, respectively, spoke about the Carbon Management in the Value Chain Program, which is now in its third edition, and the Climate Risk Management project.

The Biodiversity and Biotechnology TC was presented by president Frinéia Rezende (Votorantim), who showed the different work fronts of the Chamber and the Working Groups. Payment for Environmental Services, National Biodiversity Targets, Access to Genetic Heritage, discussions on valuation and partnerships with different initiatives are the themes of the TC, which is also working on two other Working Groups: 4F and Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services indicators.

For CT Água, Josemar Picanço spoke about the preparation of the Strategic Plan developed in 2013 and the projects that are on the agenda: two research projects (one on External Governance for Water Resources and another on Water Resources Management); engagement of Basin Committees; project of Water Resources Management Tools for the Business Sector and the recently launched study on the Impact of Sanitation on the Business Sector.

The Mobility Chamber was represented by the coordinator, Raquel Souza, who spoke about the project to launch a publication on the case already developed by the World Bank, at the WTC, in São Paulo.

The projects of the Thematic Chamber of Communication and Education were presented by Tayná Almeida, from the CEBDS communications team. Tayná explained how the CT planning was developed and provided information on the status of the projects currently underway: the CEO Meeting Cycle, which is now in its 3rd edition, and the Sustainability Guide for Companies, the first two editions of which (HR and Finance) will be released later this year. The CTCom is expected to elect its next president and vice president at its meeting on June 5.