The positioning, launched this Sunday during COP26, brings suggestions for actions linked to different axes, such as inspection, production tracking and bioeconomy
Rio de Janeiro, November 8, 2021 – The UN Climate Conference (COP26), in Glasgow, began with an important announcement: the Pledge for Forests. Considered a milestone in the fight against climate change, the document is signed by Brazil and leaders from more than 100 countries, pledging to end deforestation by 2030.
This is one of the main actions defended by the Brazilian business sector to meet the Brazilian target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the CEBDS (Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development) launched yesterday (7 November), during COP26, the Business Sector Position on the Amazon.
The document is the result of joint work between CEBDS member companies and members of the Uma Concertação pela Amazônia initiative. It presents actions to combat and eliminate illegal deforestation and promote an inclusive and regenerative economy, such as the intensive use of tracking technology and the active participation of local communities. Some of the proposals are already used by companies operating in the Amazon.
“The business sector is acting. Deforestation is our elephant in the room, as it represents 44% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, with more than 90% of this total coming from illegal activities”, highlights Marina Grossi, president of CEBDS. “Illegal deforestation does not bring any type of benefit to society, does not create qualified jobs, does not strengthen the responsible forestry sector and also increases the impact of greenhouse gases on the atmosphere, instead of feeding an industry capable of absorbing CO2. It benefits the few responsible for criminal actions and leaves the loss for the massive majority of Brazilians.”
For Roberto Waack, one of the founders of Concertação, a relevant part of the business sector is identifying the comparative opportunities that the country has and building its competitive strategies using climate issues as a central theme. “The sector’s engagement and its strong presence at the COP are a sign that Brazilian society remains a strong protagonist, with concrete demonstrations of actions to reduce emissions and mainly control deforestation.”
The Business Sector's Position on the Amazon has six pillars focused on combating illegal deforestation and promoting an inclusive and regenerative economy: chain traceability; institutional environment and transparency; bioeconomy; energy and infrastructure; economic and social inclusion of local communities; and technology. Check the full document clicking here.
This work follows the Brazilian Business Sector Announcement, launched last year by 96 companies, institutions and investors. In 2020, companies detailed what needs to be done to conserve and produce in the region. Now, the business sector is deepening the initiative and bringing the priority actions that must be applied to put an end to the criminal deforestation of the forest.
Among the recommendations is investment in the digitalization of chains such as timber and livestock, ensuring the legality and transparency of operations, in addition to preventing public and private resources from financing illegal activities.
The development of the bioeconomy appears as a great opportunity to value biodiversity assets, including transforming them into a competitive differentiator for companies. For this model to consolidate and become scalable, investments in technology and innovation are necessary, as well as the development of public policies that engage all strategic actors, especially local communities, ensuring the effectiveness of mechanisms for sharing the benefits arising from the biodiversity.
The business sector also reinforces, in the document, the importance of public authorities acting – in its different instances and together with companies – in applying the law and combating illegality in the Amazon region, including national and state plans with goals and deadlines well-defined, transparency and efficiency in vegetation suppression authorizations and the invalidation of Rural Environmental Registries that overlap with indigenous lands, conservation units, non-designated public lands and human settlements with traditional, indigenous and quilombola communities.
Another pillar is to provide the region with essential services, such as electricity, communications and logistics, so that the full potential of the local economy is harnessed. This work, however, needs to be done with clean matrices, respecting the geographic characteristics of the region and involving local communities.
“A green and regenerative economy contributes to combating climate change and generates jobs and income in the country. It brings benefits for everyone: for Brazilians, for business, for the country, for the planet”, concludes Marina Grossi.
About CEBDS
The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) is a non-profit civil association that promotes sustainable development through coordination with governments and civil society, in addition to disseminating the most current concepts and practices on the topic. Founded in 1997, it brings together around 80 of the largest business groups in the country, responsible for 47% of Brazilian GDP and 1.1 million jobs; 13 of the 15 largest companies by market value in the country are members. It represents the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) network in Brazil, which has almost 60 national and regional councils in 36 countries and 22 industrial sectors, in addition to 200 business groups operating on all continents.
CEBDS's participation in COP 26 has the support of the companies Bayer, Bradesco, BRF, DSM, JBS, Microsoft, Natura, Suzano and Vale. More information at https://cebds.org.
About the initiative A Concertation for the Amazon
It is a network of people, entities and companies formed to seek solutions for the conservation and sustainable development of the Amazon. Today, it brings together more than 400 leaders committed to creating a democratic space where dozens of initiatives in defense of the Amazon meet, dialogue, increase the impact of their actions and generate new actions in favor of the forest and the populations that live in the region. More information at: https://concertacaoamazonia.com.br
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