O CEBDS Project 2014: From Vision 2050 to Action 2020 proposes a set of business solutions, engaging large companies in an agenda capable of meeting the needs and urgencies of Brazilian society until the end of this decade. To this end, the Business Council has planned training, studies, public policy proposals and events for this year that will provide reflection, development and implementation of solutions with scale and speed.
The main project will be Ação 2020, a platform with company actions to combine the private sector's agenda with that of society and propose business solutions and public policies. Inspired by Action 2020, which is being developed simultaneously by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the CEBDS project will function as a platform and will have a framework to be launched at the end of 2014. Starting in January, the Council will work together with a group of experts (governments, academia, NGOs) to adapt goals to the Brazilian context.
Projects
Action 2020 – A platform for the business world for 2020, based on society’s demands and supported by science. These are actions by companies to align the private sector’s agenda with that of society and propose business solutions and public policies. Ação 2020 will operate in Brazil as a platform and will have a framework which will be released at the end of 2014.
Ecosystem services – The second phase of the Business Partnership for Ecosystem Services (PESE) aims to promote business strategies that combine business performance with sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity. The initiative will support Brazilian companies in understanding and managing their impacts and dependencies on these strategic issues, and will build a permanent platform for exchanging experiences, prioritizing joint construction and continuous evolution among participants. Companies will receive training in the use of the tools Corporate Ecosystem Services Review – ESR It is Corporate Ecosystem Valuation – CEV, pioneering methodologies created by WRI and WBCSD, among other partners, to help companies deal with the risks and opportunities arising from changing ecosystems.
Carbon Management in the Value Chain – In its third edition, the Carbon Management in the Value Chain Program aims to train suppliers of associated companies to manage, measure and prepare an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in accordance with the GHG Protocol tool.
Sustainability reporting for suppliers – Training aims to raise awareness and train suppliers of large companies to prepare sustainability reports. In partnership with Sebrae and BNDES, CEBDS will develop this initiative with the aim of encouraging small and medium-sized companies to include environmental and social issues in their management and, consequently, start reporting.
Integrated Reporting – The objective of this training is to bring together, in a single channel, tools available for reporting extra-financial information based on the International Integrated Reporting Regulation (IIRC) framework.
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) – In the United States, the Security Exchange Commission (CEV) – which fulfills the same role as the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) in Brazil – announced that it will require companies listed on the American Stock Exchange to report certain sustainability indicators for the benefit of investors and the public. To this end, SASB is developing specific indicators for various sectors. CEBDS and WBCSD are participating in this initiative and will provide companies in the Health, Financial, Non-Renewable and Technology and Communication sectors with a roadmap on how to implement and report the indicators, including presenting a “bridging document” in relation to the GRI.
Sustainability Guides for Companies – Publications to facilitate the dissemination of sustainability concepts and practices to internal areas and departments of companies, such as HR, Legal, Financial, Administrative and others. The first two volumes will be released in 2014. The project is developed by the Thematic Chamber of Communication and Education of CEBDS.
Global Water Tool It is CERES Water Gauge – A Global Water Tool is a WBCSD tool for analyzing countries' hydrological risks, aimed at companies and investors. Despite the extensive use of the tool in several countries around the world, in Brazil, due to its continental dimensions and regional specificities, it is necessary to adapt the tool with the incorporation of subnational data to improve its efficiency. The work seeks more accurate information to assist in investment decision-making and better management of hydrological risks. The adaptation of the tool is also planned. Water Gauge, a tool focused on improving water resource management. The tool aims to provide information that supports business strategies and decisions related to water resources based on comparisons with the best global business practices. The adaptation of the tool for Brazil seeks to survey best practices in the country in order to better define the results to be obtained with the tool. The experience of adapting the two tools will be reported in a publication to be launched in 2015, at the World Water Forum, in South Korea.
Water resources management – Launch of a publication with the results of a survey to be conducted with Trata Brasil on the impacts of the lack of sanitation in Brazil on companies. The survey seeks to clarify this data in Brazil and to raise awareness of the direct and indirect effects that this serious public health problem also has on the day-to-day activities of corporations.
Sustainability Seminar – Held in partnership with the newspaper Valor Econômico for an audience of approximately 300 people, the event will spark debate on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable development and inspire leaders to undertake necessary changes within and outside their companies, making them agents of transformation of their organizations and society towards sustainability.
Public policies – CEBDS, supported by its Board of Directors, will seek to influence the public policies of the next government by discussing the government plans of the presidential candidates. The agenda is still being developed, but three themes have already been defined: ecosystem services, energy and climate change, and incentives for a new development model.
