Protecting forests and biodiversity is intrinsic to our business. In our forestry operations, we implement targeted strategies to protect native vegetation and biodiversity within the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes hosting our operations (read more under GRI 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased or managed in or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas).

Our pulp is produced from certified eucalyptus plantations, responsibly cultivated in areas that alternate with native vegetation designated for conservation. This mosaic approach promotes ecological balance and helps protect local biodiversity.

As part of our Bracell 2030 commitments, we strive to amplify our positive impact about biodiversity and natural landscapes. Our goal is to help conserve 230,000 hectares of native forests on public land by 2025, in collaboration with the state governments where we operate. At yearend 2024, we reached 186,000 hectares across conservation sites in the states of São Paulo, Bahia, and Mato Grosso do Sul— meeting the year’s target in full.

We also invest in research on biodiversity conservation. In 2024, we supported eight research projects on environmental preservation, meeting our annual target.

Another key commitment is to double the number of areas certified by environmental agencies for wildlife reintroduction into native forests under our management, aiming for six or more such areas by 2030. We ended 2024 with four certified release sites in the Northeast of Brazil, including in the Atlantic Forest and, most recently, in the Caatinga biome. These include:

• Atlantic Forest (2022 baseline):
  • Fazenda Cachoeira (Entre Rios, Bahia)
  • Fazenda Sergipe (Jandaíra, Bahia)
  • RPPN Lontra (Entre Rios, Bahia)
• Caatinga (certified in 2024):
  • Fazenda Raiz (Água Fria, Bahia)

Fazenda Raiz, in Água Fria (BA), is the first certified release site in the Caatinga biome. In 2024 alone, a total of 476 wild animals were released in the four certified sites managed by Bracell, as part of our commitment to protecting native species and restoring ecosystems in the regions where we operate.

2030 Biodiversity Monitoring Plan

We also implemented the first year of our action plan to protect endemic and endangered species, with initiatives carried out in our priority conservation areas. In 2024:

1. In 2024, we hosted a workshop with experts to establish project assumptions, metrics and methodology
2. We identified Bracell’s priority conservation areas in the municipalities of Oriente (SP), Santa Rita do Pardo (MS) and Esplanada (BA)
3. We established benchmark areas for comparing habitat conditions and species composition, located in Gália (SP), Três Lagoas (MS), and Itanagra (BA).

Key biodiversity conservation practices

Biodiversity and ecosystems are material topics for Bracell and strategic from the perspective of our stakeholders. Our environmental conservation commitment is translated into a structured management approach based on operational policies, programs, and operational practices to protect and restore natural resources in the regions where we operate.

Bracell’s approach to managing material topics includes actions focused on:

• Preserving and restoring forests
• Protecting animal and plant species
• Preventing forest fires
• Zero deforestation

These management practices are embedded in Bracell’s Sustainability Policy and in the internal procedures of our Integrated Management System. Internal procedures provide guidelines to ensure our biodiversity efforts are effective, through sustainable forest management aligned with international forest certification standards, ensuring ecosystem conservation and regulatory compliance.

To ensure our biodiversity efforts are effective, we implement sustainable forest management practices aligned with international forestry certification standards, supporting ecosystem conservation and compliance with the highest environmental standards.

In our operations, we implement biome-specific strategies for the protection of native vegetation and biodiversity in the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes—ecosystems that host a wealth of biological diversity.

These practices are formalized in our Sustainability Policy, which guides our decisions and reinforces Bracell’s commitment to nature protection as an essential part of our business model.

Key practices to protect biodiversity and ecosystems:

• We do not convert areas of native forest into eucalyptus plantations. Our forestry operations are established exclusively in previously disturbed land—typically degraded or low-yield pastures, or land formerly used for other agricultural activities. Bracell has no operations in protected areas or Legal Reserves or on peatlands.
• We cultivate eucalyptus in forest mosaics, interspersing plantation areas with native vegetation designated for conservation (including Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga formations). This approach creates wildlife corridors that benefit biodiversity, ecosystem services, and natural landscapes.
• Our soil management practices designed to preserve physical, chemical, and biological soil properties through minimum tillage techniques.
• We retain post-harvest residue, such as bark, branches, and leaves. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, protects the soil from leaching, and increases organic matter content.
• We maintain natural pest control through Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM). This leverages genetic resistance and natural predators to maintain ecological balance. Pesticides are used on a need-only basis
• Conserving protected areas and biodiversity. Bracell has no operations in protected areas or legal reserves or on peatlands.
• We use official data from the Rural Environmental Register (CAR) to georeference all the farms we manage. In our geographic information system, we intersect this data with other data sets, such as those compiled in our protected areas and buffer zones. This process informs our operational procedures on each property, depending on the constraints and conditions set in management plans.
• Over 30% of land owned by our forestry operations is used for preservation and conservation of native vegetation. Land use planning on our farms follows criteria established by Brazil’s Forest Code (Law No. 12.651/2012).
• We have a Degraded Land Restoration Program that uses planting techniques, soil quality improvements, and erosion control to restore degraded land.

We manage four Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs) in the state of Bahia, totaling over 3,000 hectares of fully protected areas. One of them, the Lontra RPPN, is the largest private conservation site on the northern coast of Bahia. With 1,400 hectares, it is recognized by UNESCO as an outer barrier of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve.

Targets and commitments

In managing the material topic Biodiversity and Ecosystems, our Bracell 2030 roadmap establishes a set of targets within the Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity pillar. These include:

– Preserve 230,000 hectares native vegetation in public protected areas in the states of São Paulo, Bahia and Mato Grosso do Sul

– Protect natural habitats and endemic threatened species monitored in priority areas for biodiversity conservation

– Support the reintroduction of animals into the wild, with a goal of having at least six certified release sites

– Support at least ten research projects on biodiversity conservation per year

Details on each of these targets and our 2024 performance are available under Bracell 2030.

Impacts and risks

We have conducted a comprehensive assessments of potential and actual, positive and negative impacts related to the material topic Biodiversity and ecosystems, to inform strategies to mitigate them.

Impacts	Description	Details
Potential negative impacts	Loss of native fauna and flora species and populations.	No impacts have been observed so far during biodiversity monitoring, thanks to good forestry practices.
Actual positive impacts	Enhanced ecosystem services in forests managed as mosaics interspersed with native vegetation, enabling natural pest and disease control, supporting species and populations, and delivering societal benefits.	We recorded improvements in ecosystem services. The impact has broad reach and low intensity.
Actual negative impacts	Disturbance to fauna and flora due to noise and light pollution (vehicle traffic, machinery use, etc.).	The impact has broad reach and high intensity. We have external control mechanisms in place to prevent and minimize these risks.
Actual negative impacts	Changes in native vegetation, biodiversity, microclimate, landscape, and soil characteristics caused by our activities.	The impact has broad reach and high intensity. We have effective internal controls in place to mitigate these effects.
Actual negative impacts	Soil quality degradation caused by poor forest management practices.	The impact has broad reach and high intensity. We have effective internal controls in place to mitigate these effects.

One-to-One Commitment

An industry first in Brazil, our One-to-One Commitment establishes that for every 1 hectare of eucalyptus planted, Bracell will support the conservation of 1 hectare of protected area. This commitment includes the conservation of both areas managed by Bracell and public areas through collaborations with state governments in the areas where we operate.

In 2024, we reached 97% of our target, preserving 0.97 hectares of protected areas for every hectare of eucalyptus planted. This data was independently verified by a qualified third-party organization.

As this is a permanent commitment, once the 100% goal is reached, the total area designated for environmental conservation will continue to grow in tandem with the expansion of our eucalyptus plantations, ensuring a consistent balance between production and environmental protection beyond 2025.

This initiative also directly supports our broader goal of conserving 230,000 hectares of native forests on public land by 2025 under the Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity pillar of Bracell 2030. In 2024, we committed to the protection and conservation of 186,000 hectares of public lands across the states of São Paulo, Bahia, and Mato Grosso do Sul.

0.97 ha of native forests for every 1 ha of planted eucalyptus forest in 2024.

186,000 hectares of public land designated for conservation as part of Bracell 2030’s Biodiversity and Landscapes targets.

2024 Highlights

As part of our One-to-One Commitment, we established new partnerships in 2024, expanding the reach of the initiative and strengthening structural conservation initiatives in different regions of the country.

A key milestone was a ten-year agreement signed with the Government of Mato Grosso do Sul, covering preservation and conservation activities in four major state conservation sites: Nascentes do Rio Taquari, Pantanal do Rio Negro, Prosa, and Matas dos Segredos State Parks—totaling 115,825 hectares of protected areas.

We also made progress in negotiations with the Government of Bahia to help preserve forest areas in the Pituaçu Park, in the Salvador Metropolitan Region.

In the state of São Paulo, our One-for-One Commitment already covers more than 69,000 hectares, including 11 conservation sites, such as state parks, ecological stations, and wildlife refuges. These agreements are implemented in partnership with the São Paulo Forest Foundation under a long-term conservation plan.

Initiatives as part of our One-for-One Commitment are implemented in collaboration with local partners, based on a structured impact strategy focused on five main areas:

• Territorial protection and forest fire prevention
  
• Biodiversity restoration, monitoring, and management
  
• Environmental education and training
  
• Stewardship programs, including investment in park infrastructure
  
• Technological innovation applied to conservation.
  

Ten-year agreements with the governments of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul to implement structural initiatives as part of our One-to-One Commitment.

One-to-One Commitment Initiatives in 2024

Biodiversity restoration, monitoring, and management

Primate crossing construction	Installed a wildlife crossing at the Barreiro Rico Ecological Station in Anhembi (SP).	The crossing reconnects areas traversed by a municipal road, enabling safe crossing for primates and reducing the risk of roadkill. Five endangered primate species benefit from the structure, including the southern muriqui—the largest primate in the Americas and a critically endangered species.
Acoustic wildlife monitoring	Deployment of acoustic monitoring systems in Carlos Botelho State Park and Nascentes do Paranapanema (SP)—currently in progress.	These systems gather vital data on environmental factors influencing wildlife patterns, including hydrological cycles. Using acoustic data to inform conservation in state parks is a first in wildlife management and protection practices in Brazil.

Land stewardship and forest fire prevention and response

Fire prevention	Built firebreaks and service roads to support the management of state parks and ecological reserves.	Created natural firebreaks to contain wildfires and minimize spread Improved access to conservation sites through road building, facilitating both area management and rapid response to fire outbreaks
Fire prevention	Donated firefighting tools such as motor pumps to trained fire response teams in parks and ecological stations.	Equipment includes tools like portable water pumps to control fire outbreaks.

Environmental education and training

Firefighting	Trained fire responders in wildfire prevention and response	Provided capacity-building for staff at conservation sites in the states of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul
Seed collection	Provided specialized training in native seed collection	Trained the team at Bauru Botanical Garden (SP) to support seed collection and seedling propagation in a flora conservation and restoration project.

Technological innovation

Fire monitoring systems	Three conservation sites in São Paulo were added to Bracell’s regional wildfire monitoring system.	These areas are monitored via 360° cameras at Bracell’s forestry base and a 24/7 hotline that enables local communities to report fire outbreaks.
Controlling invasive species	Geospatial analysis using deep learning tools to support invasive tree species (Pinus spp.) control efforts at the Itapeva Ecological Station (SP).	Managing invasive species is crucial for protecting biodiversity, preserving local ecosystems, and preventing exotic species from harming native plant development.

Protected Areas under our One-to-One Commitment

State	Protected Area	Municipality	Year area included in the Commitment
São Paulo	Sebastião Aleixo Ecological Station	Bauru	2022
	Caetetus Ecological Station	Gália	2022
	Santa Bárbara Ecological Station	Águas de Santa Bárbara	2022
	Barreiro Rico Ecological Station	Anhembi	2022
	Aimorés Wildlife Refuge, Botanical Garden	Bauru	2022
	Carlos Botelho State Park	São Miguel Arcanjo	2022
	Nascentes do Paranapanema State Park	Capão Bonito	2022
	Avaré Ecological Station	Avaré	2023
	Paranapanema Ecological Station	Paranapanema	2023
	Angatuba Ecological Station	Angatuba	2023
	Itapeva Ecological Station	Itapeva	2023
Mato Grosso do Sul	Nascentes do Rio Taquari State Park	Alcinópolis	2023
	Prosa State Park	Campo Grande	2023
	Matas do Segredo State Park	Campo Grande	2023
	Pombo Natural Municipal Park	Três Lagoas	2023
	Pantanal do Rio Negro State Park	Aquidauana	2024
Bahia	Pituaçu Metropolitan Park	Salvador	2023

Expressão de Ecologia Award

Bracell was honored with the Green Wave Trophy after winning the Natural Resources Conservation category at the Expressão de Ecologia Awards, in recognition of our One-to-One Commitment. This award, organized by Editora Expressão, is the longest-standing environmental accolade in Brazil and is officially recognized by the Ministry of the Environment.

In 2024, for the first time, the award included initiatives from outside the Southern Region of Brazil. A total of 100 projects were submitted.

In 2024, Bracell participated in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Conference of the Parties (COP-16) in Cali, Colombia, where we showcased our One-to-One Commitment.

Track record of initiatives

Beyond the initiatives carried out in 2024, the One-to-One Commitment has already achieved several key milestones in reaching its goal. Since its launch in 2022:

• In 2023, Bracell signed a ten-year commitment with the São Paulo Forest Foundation to sponsor environmental protection initiatives in significant Atlantic Forest and Cerrado formations.
• In 2022, we signed a mutual cooperation agreement with the Bahia State Environmental Department (SEMA) and the ata including host municipality, representative organization, to support conservation and protected area management and to safeguard natural heritage by conserving fauna and flora species, protecting water resources, and enhancing carbon sequestration in forest formations.
• In 2024, we signed another long-term, ten-year agreement with IMASUL, which included the Pantanal do Rio Negro State Park, spanning 76,852 hectares.

Integrated landscape management

In 2023 we rolled out a project developed jointly with nongovernmental organization Conservation International Brazil (CI-Brazil), called “Integrated Landscape Management: geo-information for decision support in Bracell’s area of influence.”

This initiative directly supports our Bracell 2030 commitment to develop an integrated territorial intelligence system to manage natural capital and maintain sustainable landscapes throughout our area of influence. We use an innovative methodology that intersects 19 indicators in an integrated and holistic approach spanning three dimensions: conservation, restoration of native vegetation, and land use.

Wildlife corridor in Bauru (SP)

In 2024, Bracell partnered with the Bauru Botanical Garden (SP) to create a wildlife corridor connecting fragments of native vegetation. This initiative was rolled out after constructive discussion with key stakeholders from the Rio Batalha Protected Area (specifically in the municipality of Bauru), to discuss results from the “Integrated Landscape Management” project.

Established by planting 8,000 native trees, the wildlife corridor connects two fragments of native forest on a Bracell-managed farm, as part of our commitment to regenerative practices and biodiversity conservation. The goal is to enable species to move between previously islanded areas.

Biodiversity initiatives and commitments

Bracell actively participates in voluntary initiatives that reflect our commitment to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable landscape management across the areas where we operate. Key commitments include:

• Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD): Since 2022, we have adopted the TNFD recommendations through the “Action for Nature” Platform led by the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS). This initiative promotes greater transparency, accountability, and improved governance of natural resources in corporate operations.
• Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS): As members of CEBDS, we have committed to integrating biodiversity as a strategic pillar supporting corporate sustainability. See our CEBDS-aligned targets here .
• Bahia State Environmental and Water Resources Institute (INEMA): partnership to develop biodiversity protection initiatives in the Atlantic Forest, aligned with the state’s conservation efforts.
• São Paulo Forest Foundation: we have signed a ten-year technical cooperation agreement with Fundação Florestal, a foundation linked to the São Paulo State Environmental Department, to support conservation and environmental protection initiatives in areas containing significant Atlantic Forest and Cerrado formations.
• Mato Grosso do Sul State Environmental Authority (IMASUL): we signed a ten-year technical cooperation agreement with IMASUL for the conservation of native vegetation and the strengthening of environmental initiatives in the state.
• Empresa Amiga da Mata Atlântica: We joined an initiative led by the National Council of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve (RBMA) and were recognized as a contributor to the conservation and sustainable use of the biome.
• Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact: a voluntary initiative aimed at restoring 15 million hectares by 2050. We are a member of its Steering Board and actively participate through reforestation projects.
• SOS Mata Atlântica: In collaboration with this NGO, we carried out restoration initiatives on 30 hectares of protected areas and legal reserves, supporting the development of wildlife corridors, biodiversity protection, and improved water quality.

iForest+

Launched in April 2024, the iForest+ program comprises a series of initiatives to address challenges in the forest sector, from resource conservation and biodiversity protection to the responsible economic use of planted areas. The program’s flagship initiative was an update of our Forest Management System (SGF) to unify forest processes across our three operations.

The program includes:

– Forest planning: setting land use and forest resource goals, taking account of environmental, social, and economic factors

– Monitoring and control: tracking forest activities to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including land use and environmental regulations

– Certification: securing forest certification from independent entities such as PEFC, ensuring our forest products are traceable

– Sustainable management: implementing best practices in planting, harvesting, and transportation to preserve natural resources.