The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) held the Seminar in São Paulo on the 13th “The role of companies in the New Economy”, an event that marked the institution's 20 years of activity and brought to the debate, together with business and government leaders, topics such as the transition to a low-carbon economy, the 4th Industrial Revolution, the collaborative economy, and also diversity in companies.
The president of CEBDS, Marina Grossi, opened the seminar with a speech on climate change, a topic that is transversal to all business segments and that influences geopolitics. According to the president of the institution, Brazil has a lot to gain by defining a sustainability agenda. “This is about building a healthy and feasible path to overcome the economic crisis. We need to do things differently to achieve a different result. We are fighting hard to ensure that reducing carbon emissions is seen as a competitive advantage for the country,” she commented.
The first panel included Vale’s Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, Alberto Ninio, Mercur’s CEO, Jorge Hoelzel Neto, and Coca-Cola Brazil’s Director of Shared Value, Pedro Massa. The role of the consumer was also discussed. Pedro Massa believes that citizens and consumers must be seen as the same person. “The private sector can no longer do business with the ‘old economy.’ It must take on the role of leading this change and not wait for consumers to ask for it and change their consumption patterns,” explained the representative of Coca-Cola Brazil.
Through simultaneous panels, the seminar encouraged debate on the low-carbon economy. Braskem's Director of Sustainable Development, Jorge Soto, and Luísa Santiago, from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, listed the convergences with the circular economy, thinking about reducing waste and proposing a new look at the production of natural resources, for new raw materials.
The inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy, with a focus on the inclusion of people of all genders and races, both in companies and at the business end – clients or consumers – was also on the agenda of the event. “Today, we women are not even 10% of KPMG partners, and we need to think about a global agenda. Our vision of inclusion also includes the protocol with suppliers, with values that add value, working together with companies, exchanging experiences, working with advocacy more proactively”, said KPMG partner in Brazil, Marcelle Mayume Komukai. During the panel, the CEO's Guide to the Sustainable Development Goals which is designed to drive global business leaders’ engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The publication sets out clear actions that CEOs can take to align their organizations with the SDGs and chart a course to unlock the value they represent.
From another perspective, the general coordinator of the Environment and Climate Change at the Ministry of Finance, Aloisio Lopes Pereira de Melo, spoke about financing the new economy, especially the regulation of carbon pricing in Brazil. According to him, “the incorporation of carbon pricing into the climate structure is a trend that will occur naturally.” The coordinator commented on the RenovaBio program, which is an example of a mechanism that can be adopted.
CEBDS Women's Leadership Award
With the aim of recognizing and valuing women who are working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its associated companies, CEBDS presented the three winners of the first edition of the CEBDS Female Leadership Award. The saleswomen were Bruna da Silva, the social responsibility coordinator of Votorantim Metals, Patricia Molino, partner and leader of People & Change at KPMG It is Tania Cosentino, President for South America Schneider Electric.
The Award recognized the three women for their achievements in advancing the goals proposed by the United Nations (UN). “This Award is a fundamental opportunity to recognize the many women leaders who work to advance the SDGs together with CEBDS member companies,” says CEBDS President Marina Grossi. The CEBDS President also adds that the Award was a way to expand the scope of SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.
4th Industrial Revolution – how to prepare for this new reality?
The last panel had the 4th Industrial Revolution as its backdrop, with a focus on artificial intelligence. IBM Brazil’s Executive for Educational Alliances and Universities, Alcely Strutz Barroso, said that it is necessary to interact with machines. “We will not do anything alone; the world that is to come needs to be collaborative. Artificial intelligence seeks out people’s intentions. We want to go to schools with computer science to show how it can make people’s lives easier,” she revealed.
Microsoft’s Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Alessandra Del Debbio, emphasized that machines cannot replace human beings. “People have creativity and empathy, and nothing can replace our natural characteristics. The intention of the inventor is what counts, and it is in our hands. We have to think about how to take advantage of this growing access to technology and these resources to improve our lives, and find cures for diseases like cancer, for example. Every moment that precedes a major change generates anxiety and fear, which is why regulation is important,” she emphasized.
Next, Luciano Meira, a researcher and professor of Psychology at the Federal University of Pernambuco, also defended the need to take care of the regulatory environment for artificial intelligence and said that comfort and growth cannot coexist. “Creativity needs to be encouraged, allowing not only the growth of an individual, but of an entire group. In my view, we must have the ability to identify problems and find solutions, always with a lot of resilience. Academia is based on the three pillars of teaching, research and extension. The innovation axis still needs to cross this three pillars to strengthen itself for the 4th Industrial Revolution,” he said.
The event was sponsored by Itau, braskem, Fibria, Shell It is OK.
