We align our business and sustainability objectives, targets, and commitments with our Purpose, Vision, Values and Sustainability Vision, ensuring that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are fully integrated into our business strategy.

The Sustainability Steering Committee—Bracell’s highest governance body for ESG matters—is advised by our top operational leadership, including the heads of forestry operations, mill operations, logistics, legal, internal audit, corporate affairs, and human resources, along with the Vice President of Sustainability. This structure enables a comprehensive analysis of environmental, social and governance risks and impacts.

In addition, Bracell has a Crisis Committee that is convened to manage unexpected events and emergencies, ensuring rapid, coordinated responses to mitigate impacts on operations and stakeholders.

This model supports a governance structure that is both agile and aligned with Bracell’s commitment to sustainability and organizational resilience.

Regulation and Voluntary Commitments

Our strategy and corporate governance are fully compliant with Brazilian legislation, regulatory standards, certifications, and international sustainability standards. We have also subscribed to voluntary commitments. Our corporate policies and internal procedures additionally draw on:

• Brazilian Labor Ministry regulations and standards (NRs)
• the UN Global Compact’s Ten Universal Principles
• the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)
• the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability¹
• the International Bill of Human Rights
• the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
• the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

¹ The largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries.

As signatories of the Global Compact, we annually report on progress and results on topics linked to the 10 Universal Principles. Bracell’s Communication on Progress is available here.

We invest in cutting-edge technology throughout our value chain, and have set strategic targets across sustainable growth, climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, and creating positive value for people.

Our commitments and policies reflect the principles that have guided Bracell’s sustainability journey. Learn about some of the key milestones in this journey:

2003

• Bahia Specialty Cellulose and Copener Florestal start operation, focused on specialty pulp production

2014

• First materiality assessment to identify Bracell’s priority sustainability topics, supported by stakeholder engagement

2018

• Materiality matrix updated and Sustainability Policy revised by an independent third party
• Our new pulp business unit in Lençóis Paulista (SP) starts operations
• Project Star is launched to expand and modernize the site, including the construction of two flexible lines for soluble and kraft pulp production

2019

• We launch Bracell’s Corporate Sustainability Policy, applicable to all operations in Bahia and São Paulo
• Bracell launches a corporate sustainability strategy, informed by stakeholder consultations and a risk and opportunity assessment in communities near our operations in Bahia
• We establish regional sustainability committees in Bahia and São Paulo
• Bracell publishes its first corporate Sustainability Report, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards and assured by an independent third party

2020

• We launch our first public corporate sustainability commitment—our Sustainability Vision and Strategy: a roadmap with 17 corporate environmental, social, and governance programs designed through stakeholder consultations, desktop reviews, international sustainability protocols, and market research
• Bracell becomes a UN Global Compact signatory and commits to reporting annual progress in line with the Ten Principles
• We conduct a participatory social and economic assessment in 16 key municipalities in São Paulo, forming the basis for a targeted social action plan

2021

• Bracell joins the Brazilian Business Commitment to Sustainable Development (CEBDS), which advocates for sustainable development in collaboration with government and civil society and represents the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) network in Brazil
• We publish Bracell’s Sustainability Vision and Strategy and a roadmap comprising 17 ESG programs

–      Sustainability committees begin tracking progress on our sustainability strategy.

• Commissioning begins on the two flexible lines at our Lençóis Paulista site (SP), with renewable generation capacity and approval for commercial electricity operations, supplying between 150 MW and 180 MW to the national grid

2022

• We create the role of Sustainability VP to further strengthen sustainability practices, projects, goals, and governance across operations
• We launch an updated materiality matrix, informed by a survey of internal and external stakeholders
• Bracell publishes a Disclosures Hub as a supplement to our Sustainability Report – DH 2021, DH 2022 and DH 2023.
• We launch our One-to-One Commitment to support the conservation of native vegetation equivalent in area to our eucalyptus plantations—every hectare of eucalyptus forests we plant will be matched with another hectare of preserved native vegetation.
• We submit Bracell’s targets to the Brazilian Business Commitment for Biodiversity (CEBDS) and join the Action for Nature Platform and Net Zero Movement, also led by CEBDS.
• We revise our sustainability roadmap targets, covering topics relevant to ESG rating agencies, sustainability indices, and stakeholders

2023

• We develop and launch Bracell 2030, a long-term roadmap outlining commitments across climate, nature, sustainable pulp production, people, and community, aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda.
• We update our Sustainability Policy.
• Bracell introduces Human Rights, Pulpwood and Fiber Sourcing, and Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policies.
• The first independent audit reports are published on Bracell’s One-to-One Commitment and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions inventory for the period 2022.
• Bracell receives International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) as proof that the electricity sold from our on-site generation facilities in Lençóis Paulista (SP) is renewably sourced.
• We join the SDG Ambition Accelerator program, which supports companies participating in the UN Global Compact in setting ambitious targets supporting the SDGs within their core business strategies.
• Bracell joins Rede Mulher Florestal, a non-governmental, non-profit, non-partisan organization created to foster discussion about gender equity in the forestry sector, and is named vice president of the Network.
• Bracell acquires OL Papéis, now renamed as Bracell Papéis and incorporating our entire Tissue business.
• Bracell becomes a member of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program (PBGHG) and publishes GHG inventory data in the Public Emissions Registry for the first time. The PBGHG recognizes participating organizations for voluntary accountability to stakeholders who are increasingly concerned with corporate social and environmental responsibility.
• Bracell is awarded the GHG Protocol Gold Badge, a distinction awarded to organizations that demonstrate high levels of accuracy and transparency in their greenhouse gas inventory submissions to the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program’s Public Emissions Register (RPE).

2024

• We conduct our first double materiality assessment of our sustainability agenda.
• We also begin reporting progress toward the Bracell 2030 targets and commitments.
• Our Forestry R&D team recommends the commercial planting of two novel clonal blends—one in São Paulo and one in Bahia.
• Bracell Papéis’ new facility in Lençóis Paulista (SP) begins operations. This facility includes key logistical and sustainability features, such as pulp transport via a pipeline for Tissue production, and a 50,000 square-meter solar array installed on the roof.
• We commission a new, safer, and more efficient biomass boiler at the Bracell Papéis mill in Feira de Santana (BA).
• A new cooking line is installed at our Bahia site, using more modern and efficient technology, with projected reductions in water and natural gas use, and consequently, greenhouse gas emissions.
• Bracell is again awarded the GHG Protocol Gold Badge, a distinction awarded to organizations that demonstrate high levels of accuracy and transparency in their greenhouse gas inventory submissions to the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program’s Public Emissions Register (RPE).
• We submit our first report to the CDP, earning “B” scores for our Climate, Forest, and Water reports.