GRI 2-22 Statement on sustainable development strategy
Sustainability Vision
Our commitment to sustainable development is grounded in circular bioeconomy principles. We aim to revolutionize the forest-based pulp industry and remain at its forefront, while providing diversified products from responsibly managed, renewable plantations. We believe in creating shared value as well as building impactful and long-lasting partnerships that enable us to continuously do good for our Communities, Country, Climate and Nature, Customers and Company.
Long-Term Strategy
Bracell 2030 is our long-term sustainability roadmap. Launched in 2023 as a public commitment, it outlines 14 goals across four strategic pillars, with an overarching objective to create positive impact and deliver value for our Community, Country, Climate, Customers, and Company—in line with our 5Cs Philosophy.
The Bracell 2030 roadmap includes 14 targets and commitments focused on four strategic priorities:
Climate Action
Climate-positive operations supporting a low-carbon economy
Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity
Build regenerative systems that benefit nature, biodiversity and ecosystem services
Promoting Sustainable Growth
Expand our business through increased efficiency, circularity and responsible production
Empowering Lives
Provide capacity building to our people and communities through transformational initiatives
In 2024, we shared the initial results from this journey, reflecting our commitment to a more efficient, responsible production model that meets the expectations of stakeholders.
Our prioritization of issues such as climate change, biodiversity, water management, waste, and social impact was validated through a double materiality assessment conducted this same year (learn more under GRI 3-1 Process to determine material topics).
Bracell 2030: Targets, Commitments, and 2024 Performance
| No | 2030 Target | 2020 Baseline | 2030 Target | 2024 Target | 2024 Performance | SDGs Addressed |
| 1 | Reduce carbon emissions per metric ton of product by 75%, targeting 0.122
tCO₂e/adt |
0.482 tCO2e/adt | 0.122 tCO2e/adt | 0.151 tCO2e/adt | 0.208 tCO2 e | 13, 14, 15 |
| 2 | 25 MtCO₂e removed from the atmosphere between 2020 and 2030 | NA | 25 MtCO2e | 22.19 MtCO2e | 4.30 MtCO2 | 13, 14, 15 |
| No | 2030 Target | 2020 Baseline | 2030 Target | 2024 Target | 2024 Performance | SDGs Addressed |
| 3 | 230,000 hectares of native forests preserved | NA | 230,000 hectares | 189,000 hectares | 185,841 hectares | 14, 15 |
| 4 | Protection of endemic and threatened species | NA | Natural habitats and endemic threatened species monitored in priority areas for biodiversity conservation | Complete the following steps: 1. Hold a workshop with experts to define project guidelines 2. Identify Bracell’s priority areas for conservation 3. Define baseline areas within the surrounding landscape |
Met | 14, 15 |
| 5 | Support for the reintroduction of animals into the wild | NA | Double the number of Bracell-owned areas certified by environmental regulators for releasing wild animals in native forests from 3 to 6 or more | Obtain certification for 4 designated areas for the release of wildlife | Met | 14, 15 |
| 6 | Research on biodiversity conservation | NA | Support 10 research projects on biodiversity conservation | 8 projects | 8 projects | 14, 15 |
| No | 2030 Target | 2020 Baseline | 2030 Target | 2024 Target | 2024 Performance | SDGs Addressed |
| 7 | 47% reduction in water withdrawal in industrial operations | 31.1 m3/adt | 16.6 m3/adt | 19.2 m3/adt | 19.2 m3/adt | 6 |
| 8 | 90% reduction in Class II industrial waste sent to landfills | 51.7 kg/t | 5 kg/adt | 43.7 kg/adt | 27.1 kg/adt | 3, 11, 12 |
| 9 | 97% chemical recovery in our operations (lime and caustic soda in pulp production) | NA | 97% | 96.20% | 96.20% | 3, 11, 12 |
| No | 2030 Target | 2020 Baseline | 2030 Target | 2024 Target | 2024 Performance | SDGs Addressed |
| 10 | Promote equal opportunity for women (increase the proportion of women in leadership positions to 30%) | 40 (18.2%) | 30% | 27% | 29.40% | 5, 8, 10 |
| 11 | Promote an inclusive work environment for affinity groups and achieve a 90% positive evaluation from employees in these groups regarding respect and equity in the workplace |
27% (based on the Diversity and Inclusion Census conducted in 2024) | 90% | 1) Finalize baseline 2) Define key performance indicators to measure respect and equity variables 3) Establish a framework for managing and monitoring implementation of action plans |
Met | 5, 8 |
| 12 | Promote women’s entrepreneurship in communities (at least 60% of Bracell-supported “impact business” projects to be led by women) | Baseline under development | 60% | 1) São Paulo: carry out a social and economic assessment to inform strategies for advancing education and reducing poverty in the state of São Paulo 2) Bahia: conduct an Impact Assessment on our Continuing Education program and update the existing socioeconomic profile. 3) Mato Grosso do Sul: conduct a social and economic assessment with an emphasis on regional development 4) Develop a methodology for managing and monitoring social targets 5) Establish a baseline, built an Impact Framework, defined the rationale for measuring targets, and create a five-year roadmap |
Met | 1, 5, 8, 10 |
| 13 | Promote income generation for families and communities (raise the incomes of families participating in Bracell’s income creation programs in priority areas by 20%) |
Baseline under development | 20% | 1) Develop a methodology for managing and monitoring social targets
2) Define the baseline 3) Develop an impact framework, target calculation rationale, and five-year roadmap |
Met | 1, 8, 10 |
| 14 | Advance high-quality public education (improve Portuguese and Mathematics proficiency by 30% in Bracell-supported public schools in areas with low school achievement rates) | Baseline under development | 30% | Met | 4 |
Note: the women in leadership target in our Bracell 2030 roadmap is based on the number of female leaders working directly in our pulp operations.
Bracell 2030 Highlights
The year 2024 marked the first full cycle of tracking progress on our Bracell 2030 roadmap. These metrics improved our management of each pillar of our long-term sustainability strategy and guided its ongoing improvement.
Climate Action
The Climate Action pillar reflects Bracell’s commitment to mitigating climate change effects by reducing GHG emissions and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Our 2030 targets focus on decarbonizing production operations and enhancing added value from our natural assets (read more under Climate Action).
GHG emission reduction
Bracell has set a target to reduce carbon emissions per metric ton of pulp produced by 75% by 2030. In 2024, our emissions intensity was 0.208 tCO₂e/adt (learn more under GRI 305-4 GHG emissions intensity).
Carbon sequestration
Also under the climate pillar, we have set a target to remove 25 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent from the atmosphere between 2020 and 2030. Removals are achieved through planted eucalyptus forests and native vegetation areas designated for conservation under Bracell management. From 2020 to 2024, we removed -4.3 MtCO₂e (see more in Climate Change).
Beyond our Bracell 2030 targets, we have continued to invest in solutions that directly contribute to a low-carbon economy.
In 2024, our new Tissue mill in Lençóis Paulista (SP) began operations with several sustainable features:
– A 50,000-square-meter solar array, generating 7.21 MW of renewable, fossil-free energy. The electricity generated accounts for 20% of energy consumption at the site, where we produce consumer tissue paper, professional line products, and jumbo rolls.
Integration with the existing pulp mill in the same city, enabling raw material to be transported via pipeline. This eliminates the need for truck transport and the drying stage, reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions.
Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity
This pillar relates to our efforts to preserve natural ecosystems and protect biodiversity in Bracell’s operating regions, strengthening natural resource protection and more resilient landscapes. Each target under this pillar has a specific focus, with structured actions to drive tangible progress through 2030.
Conservation of native forests and landscapes
Bracell has set a target to support the conservation of 230,000 hectares of native forest on public land by 2025, in partnership with the state governments where we operate. In 2024, we reached 18,000 hectares conserved, across the states of São Paulo, Bahia, and Mato Grosso do Sul, fully meeting our annual target (learn more under Biodiversity and ecosystems).
Wildlife reintroduction
Another target is to double the number of areas certified by environmental agencies for wildlife reintroduction into native forests under Bracell’s management by 2030. In 2024, we ended the year with four areas certified in the Northeast (see more under GRI 101-2 Managing Impacts on Biodiversity).
Conservation research
We support and advance research on biodiversity conservation. In 2024, we supported eight environmental research projects, fully meeting the annual target (learn more on Biodiversity and ecosystems).
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 (learn more about our management practices under Biodiversity and ecosystems).
Empowering Lives
The Empowering Lives pillar focuses on promoting diversity and inclusion, strengthening public education, and supporting livelihoods in Bracell’s areas of operation. Our 2030 targets reflect our commitment to human and social development, aligned with creating a fairer and more inclusive environment.
Women in Leadership
In 2024, we exceeded our target for women in leadership positions, ending the year with 29.4% of our employees in leadership roles, above our target of 27% for the year. A total of 117 women currently hold leadership positions at Bracell, as part of our commitment to gender equality.
Note: the women in leadership target in our Bracell 2030 roadmap is based on the number of female leaders working directly in our pulp operations.
Inclusive Work Environment
As part of our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) targets, we aim to achieve 90% positive feedback from affinity group employees regarding respect and equity in the workplace by 2030. In 2024, the first year of implementing the Bracell 2030 roadmap, we established a satisfaction baseline for affinity groups and defined the key performance indicators that will guide future progress, based on a Diversity & Inclusion Census conducted during the year. The census surveyed employees in all business units who were part of affinity groups at the time of the survey. When asked about their overall satisfaction with Bracell, 27% of respondents expressed satisfaction.
Women-Owned Community Impact Businesses
Bracell aims to ensure that at least 60% of supported impact businesses are led by women by 2030. This initiative reflects our commitment to women’s leadership and income generation in the communities where we operate, through our Bracell Social investment platform (learn more under GRI 203-1 Infrastructure investments and services supported).
Income Generation in Priority Areas
We also aim to increase the income of families participating in our income-generation projects in priority areas by 20% by 2030, driving economic inclusion and sustainable local development.
Quality Public Education
In education, our target is to increase Portuguese and math proficiency by 30% in public schools supported by Bracell, improving learning outcomes in communities with low academic performance.
In 2024, we carried out the following initiatives focused on strengthening local communities as part of our Bracell 2030 roadmap:
- Social and Economic Assessment in São Paulo: we conducted an assessment to identify opportunities for improving public education and reducing poverty in municipalities located within the area of influence of our operations.
- Continuing Education Program assessment: we conducted an assessment of impact from our program supporting the professional development of public school teachers and principals, helping to strengthen local continuing education programs. The program is running in municipalities in the state of Bahia, where we also began updating the regional social and economic assessment.
- Territorial development assessment: we carried out a comprehensive assessment to identify the region’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities for advancing sustainable development in municipalities where we operate in Mato Grosso do Sul.
- Social Target Management and Monitoring Framework: we developed a comprehensive framework for tracking Bracell 2030 social targets, including baseline definitions, an impact framework, and rationale for calculating metrics—ensuring greater precision in measuring results and social impact over the coming years.
Promoting Sustainable Growth
The Promoting Sustainable Growth pillar comprises a set of targets and initiatives focused on resource efficiency, waste management, and continuous improvement of production processes, with a goal to reduce environmental impacts and drive operational innovation.
Reducing Water Consumption
Bracell has set a target to reduce water consumption per metric ton of pulp produced by 47% to 16.6 m³/adt by 2030. In 2024, we met the year’s target with a consumption of 19.2 m³/adt, a 38.2% reduction compared to our 2020 baseline of 31.1 m³/adt.
Reducing Landfill Waste
We are also working to reduce the volume of industrial solid waste sent to landfills per metric ton of pulp by 90%. In 2024, 27.1 kg/adt was sent to landfills, significantly outperforming the annual target of 43.7 kg/adt (learn more in GRI 306-5 Waste directed to disposal).
Efficiency in Chemical Recovery
With a focus on production efficiency and reducing waste in the pulp manufacturing process, we set a target to achieve 97% recovery of lime and caustic soda by 2030. In 2024, we reached 96.2%, meeting the target set for the year.
Integrated Sustainability Management
The initiatives under this pillar connect with key strategic topics such as climate change, biodiversity and ecosystems, water and effluent management, waste management, occupational health and safety, employee development, and community relations. These areas are all addressed by sustainability performance indicators that inform the continuous improvement of our management approach.