GRI 3-3 Management of the material topic: Climate Change
We recognize that climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, and we understand the importance of taking proactive and responsible action in response. We have taken important steps in advancing our climate strategy, implementing initiatives that contribute both to reducing emissions and making our operations more resilient.
Bracell’s Sustainability Steering Committee is responsible for decisions and initiatives related to climate change, and for short-, medium-, and long-term strategic planning in this area.
Bracell is advancing its Climate Action strategy by quantifying and managing corporate emissions, setting climate targets, and planning initiatives across operations, all aligned with our Bracell 2030 targets.
2030 Targets
| Strategic Pillar | Target 2030 |
Baseline 2020 |
Target 2030 |
Target 2024 |
2024 Performance | SDGs Addressed |
| CLIMATE ACTION | 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 tCO2e/adt | 13, 14, 15 |
| 25 MtCO₂e removed from the atmosphere between 2020 and 2030 | Net carbon removals =
fossil GHG emissions + biogenic LULUCF emissions – removals total CO₂ removals from eucalyptus plantations and native vegetation areas |
25 MtCO2e | 22.19 MtCO2e | 4.30MtCO2e | 13, 14, 15 |
As part of the Bracell 2030 roadmap, we have set two commitments tied to the material topic Climate Change. Our climate goals were developed based on an analysis of the risks and impacts – both positive and negative – Bracell’s operations have on climate change. Our operations emit greenhouse gases (GHG) and also capture CO₂ from the atmosphere by growing and preserving forest areas managed by Bracell, including planted eucalyptus forests and native forests.
By 2030, we have committed to reducing our carbon emissions per metric ton of product by 75% from a 2020 baseline. This means reaching 0.122 tCO₂e/adt. In addition, we will remove 25 MtCO₂e from the atmosphere over the course of a decade—from 2020 to 2030.
For 2024, our interim targets were to close the year with 0.151 tCO2e/adt and 22.19 MtCO2e in removals. Measured results are detailed below:
Target 1: reduce carbon emissions per metric ton of product by 75%, targeting 0.122 tCO₂e/adt
From 2020 to 2024, we reduced carbon emissions per metric ton of product by 61%, reaching 0.208 tCO₂e/adt.
Although we achieved a 63% reduction in our emissions intensity over that period, a number of factors prevented us from meeting our 2024 target. The main negative impacts on emissions reduction came from increased mobile combustion in our operations and a higher occurrence of wildfires. On the positive side, we achieved significant operational gains this year, such as reducing natural gas consumption and expanding the use of biomass in our gasifiers. These initiatives helped reduce emissions from stationary combustion—our largest Scope 1 emissions category—and put us on track to meet our long-term targets.
We are also implementing several initiatives to mitigate climate-change impacts and keep moving forward on decarbonizing our operations. Examples include investments in electric trucks for pulp transport, currently in the trial phase, and in generating and sourcing renewable energy, as detailed in the Energy Efficiency chapter.
Target 2: 25 MtCO₂e removed from the atmosphere between 2020 and 2030
From 2020 to 2024, we removed 4,229,568 tCO₂e. This figure reflects the carbon balance of our operations—i.e. the difference between total removals and emissions (including anthropogenic and biogenic LULUCF—Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry—emissions.
In 2024, we faced the most challenging hydrological scenario of the past five years in the state of São Paulo. The extreme conditions were primarily caused by rising temperatures and a significant decrease in rainfall. Water deficits directly impact forest yields: the greater the deficit, the slower the eucalyptus forest growth, which in turn reduces their ability to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere during the growth process.
Additionally, the adverse climate conditions significantly increased the occurrence of forest fires.
As a result of these extreme weather events, we reached only 19% of our CO₂ removal target for 2024.
Bracell has developed a range of initiatives to mitigate these impacts and increase the resilience of our operations to climate change. Key initiatives include monitoring carbon and water flux in eucalyptus plantations; investing in forest research and development (R&D); integrated climate-related risk and impact management; and conducting climate zoning studies. Learn more in Monitoring Carbon and Water Flux in Eucalyptus Plantations and Climate Zoning Study.
Impacts and risks
Bracell conducts an assessment of the actual and potential impacts related to each material topic in a materiality matrix, considering both positive and negative effects on the economy, the environment, and people—including impacts on human rights. For the topic climate change, the following impacts have been identified:
| Impacts | Details | Details |
| Actual positive impacts | We remove carbon from the atmosphere through our eucalyptus plantations, native forests, and soil. | In 2024, our planted forests removed 2,745,849 tCO₂e, while our native forests removed 1,373,161 tCO₂e, totaling 4,119,010 tCO₂e in gross removals. |
| Actual negative impacts | Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our operations. | Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, whose impacts are limited in scale and moderate in intensity. We have effective internal control mechanisms in place to manage and reduce these emissions (see more in our GHG inventory on page XX). |
| Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our operations. | Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, whose impacts are broad in scale and high in intensity. We have internal control mechanisms in place and recognize the importance of strengthening our strategy to mitigate Scope 3 GHG emissions. We actively participate in committees and working groups on this topic (see more in our GHG inventory on page XX). |
CDP
In 2024, we responded for the first time to CDP questionnaires and received a B rating across all three evaluated topics: Climate Change; Forests and Water Security. A B rating is strong for companies in their first year of reporting and demonstrates our commitment to transparency and responsible environmental management.
CDP is one of the world’s leading environmental disclosure platforms, recognized for helping companies produce standardized and comparable reporting used by a wide range of stakeholders, including banks, customers, partners, and civil society. Our CDP reporting reflects our commitment to continuously improving environmental management and aligning with international best practices.
| Climate | Forestry | Water |
| B | B | B |
GHG Inventory
As a key part of our climate agenda, Bracell annually prepares a corporate inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. In 2024, our inventory covered the entire pulp value chain, including emissions from mill operations in Lençóis Paulista (SP) and Camaçari (BA), forestry operations in these states and in Mato Grosso do Sul, and related logistics operations (see more about our forestry operations in the section GRI 2-6 About Bracell).
The data in our GHG Inventory is externally audited by an independent third party, with an Assurance Statement published in our Sustainability Report and in the Disclosures of (see more on page GRI 305 Emissions).
Bracell’s Greenhouse Gas Inventories cover Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and are prepared in accordance with guidance provided in the latest edition of ISO 14064, the GHG Protocol, and the quantification methodologies published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Since 2022, Bracell has published its GHG Inventory data in the Public Emissions Registry.
As a member of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program (PBGHG), Bracell publishes GHG Inventory data in the Public Emissions Registry, having been awarded the Program’s Gold badge in 2024.
The PBGHG recognizes participating organizations for voluntary accountability to stakeholders who are increasingly concerned with corporate social and environmental responsibility. The Gold badge is 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).
Carbon balance
Bracell’s planted eucalyptus forests and native forest areas play a crucial role in capturing CO2 from the atmosphere, absorbing and storing carbon throughout the trees’ growth cycle. This natural process helps partially offset our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In 2024, our carbon balance showed that our removals exceeded our emissions—an improvement on previous years. Our closing carbon balance was -175,471.36 tCO₂e. See details in the table below.
We removed -4,119,009.65 tCO₂e from the atmosphere in 2024, and our net carbon balance was -175,471.36 tCO₂e
| Emissions | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Total (S1 + S2 + S3) | 1,555,114.00 | 1,701,669.00 | 1,716,315.84 |
| Scope 1 | 614,673.00 | 597,454.00 | 731,362.80 |
| Scope 2 | 5,258.00 | 9,611.00 | 13,213.63 |
| Scope 3 | 935,183.00 | 1,094,603.00 | 971,739.41 |
| Biogenic LULUCF emissions | 3,793,831.00 | 3,940,391.00 | 2,227,222.45 |
| Biogenic removals | -1,309,842.00 | -1,286,441.00 | -4,119,009.65 |
| Balance | 4,039,103.00 | 4,355,619.00 | -175,471.36 |
Monitoring Carbon and Water Flux in Eucalyptus Plantations
We are a member of the Eucflux-IPEF Cooperative Program, which studies carbon and water flux in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. This research is enhancing our understanding of these processes in a Bracell-managed eucalyptus plantation in Itatinga, São Paulo, where we have set up a flux tower equipped with advanced monitoring technology.
Eucflux is led by the Institute for Forest Research and Studies (IPEF) and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), with participation from academic institutions such as the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), and the University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP).
Our Monitoring Investments
Bracell monitors water and carbon flux in five areas of eucalyptus and native forests.
As part of our commitments within the Bracell 2030 roadmap, we have invested in building five flux towers to monitor water and carbon flux in our operations. In 2024, we installed two towers—one in a native forest area in São Paulo and another in a eucalyptus area in Bahia. Two more towers will be installed in Mato Grosso do Sul—one in each type of forested area—and another tower in a native forest in Bahia. The data is managed and analyzed by our Forestry Research and Development team.
Forestry R&D, risk management and climate change impacts
We invest in classical genetic improvement, silviculture, forest management, extension services, and technology transfer to ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality pulpwood over the medium and long term—and ultimately business continuity and product excellence.
The Forest R&D team’s key research endpoints are to improve the MAI (Mean Annual Increment of Wood) and MACI (Mean Annual Increment of Pulp) sustainably. Each year, a research pipeline is created with this goal in mind, taking into account the specific conditions and characteristics of each region where we operate.
Classical Genetic Improvement
Bracell does not use genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and develops its eucalyptus clones through classical genetic improvement. This process involves the generation, evaluation and selection of clones improved in successive cycles. The focus of genetic improvement is also on developing techniques aimed at improving cloning efficiency, guaranteeing high-quality pulpwood that is more sustainable in the long term.
In 2024, our Forestry R&D team recommended the commercial planting of two clonal blends—one in São Paulo and one in Bahia. These are unique cultivars formed by a blend of clones, which reduces vulnerability and offers greater protection against pests, diseases, and adverse weather events. The clonal blends were tested in our nurseries, and are now ready to be planted commercially starting in 2025.
In addition to the two clonal blends, two new classical clones were also recommended—one for operations in São Paulo and another for Bahia.
Silviculture and Forest Management
At Bracell, we seek to continually improve our monitoring and climate-zoning processes, and use best-practice soil conservation, preparation and fertilization practices. Sustainable control of pests, diseases and weeds is also a priority, ensuring healthy, productive forests in the long term.
Biological control using natural enemies
In 2024, we produced 6 million natural enemies in São Paulo and 89 million in Bahia, totaling 95 million for the year—an increase of 46% compared to 65 million in 2023. Biological control replaces the use of chemicals, preventing emissions of N2O greenhouse gases.
Forestry extension and technology transfer
We provide specialized technical assistance and promote technology transfer in our forestry operations, advancing best practices and continuous process improvement.
Climate zoning studies
We continuously conduct climate zoning studies using historical climate data such as precipitation, temperature, and latitude. This analysis helps us identify optimal areas for eucalyptus planting and make region-specific technical recommendations, including clone allocation and fertilization strategies.
In 2024, we introduced a new zoning parameter in Bahia: altitude. As a result of these studies, region-specific planting methods and cultivar recommendations will be provided.
Energy Efficiency
Our facilities in Lençóis Paulista (SP) are energy self-sufficient. At our mills, recovery boilers produce steam that is fed to turbine-generator sets to generate electricity. We only source electricity from the national grid during equipment maintenance shutdowns. In these cases, we source electricity from the national grid, which derives approximately 85% of its electricity from renewable sources—mainly hydro, wind, and solar.
We also purchase electricity for forestry operations and nurseries, where diesel is additionally used in power generators.
At our storage yards in Lençóis Paulista (SP), we use electric forklifts to reduce fossil fuel consumption in these operations. In 2024, we continued testing electric trucks to transport pulp from our mill in Lençóis Paulista (SP) to the road-rail terminal in Pederneiras (SP).
Renewable Energy
The new flexible lines at our Lençóis Paulista (SP) mill are equipped with a recovery boiler that generates renewable energy from eucalyptus biomass, composed of trimmings from the plant and other substances originating from the production of dissolving pulp, including black liquor—a byproduct of pulp production.
These lines have been developed to be fossil fuel-free, with on-site capacity to generate clean and renewable electricity for operations and a surplus that is fed into the national grid.
The Lençóis Paulista (SP) site has a 440 kV substation with an installed capacity of 409 MW, enough to supply the full electricity requirement of the mill and a surplus of approximately 150 to 180 MW that is sold to the national grid, enough to supply clean renewable electricity to around 750,000 homes or approximately 3 million people.
Our Bahia plant is also equipped with a recovery boiler that generates renewable electricity from eucalyptus biomass.
In 2024, we generated 192,803,255.26 GJ of renewable energy. We sold 2,718,409.21 GJ of eucalyptus biomass-generated electricity to the Brazilian free energy market (see more in GRI 302).
Bracell holds International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) as proof that the electricity we use in our operations and sell is renewably sourced.
Sustainability Attributes at Bracell Papéis
Bracell Papéis’ plants feature technologies that enable the use of renewable energy in our operations and help prevent greenhouse gas emissions during pulp transportation to the tissue plant at our Lençóis Paulista (SP) site.
Solar Power
The Bracell Papéis facility in Lençóis Paulista (SP) has a 50,000 m2 solar panel array covering the entire roof of the industrial plant, generating 7.21 MW of renewable, fossil fuel–free energy. This generation capacity meets 20% of the site’s total electricity requirement.
Automated Vertical Warehouse and Energy Efficiency
The products manufactured at the site are stored in an automated vertical warehouse that uses robot-operated elevators to optimize goods handling. This system ensures greater energy efficiency in the process. Automation reduces the need for lighting and air-conditioning, resulting in energy savings in warehousing operations.
The system also enables better logistics control, allowing for optimized storage and fast product handling, which reduces waste and increases productivity.
It also improves safety and efficiency. Automation minimizes human intervention, making the process safer, more precise and more sustainable.
Biomass boiler
At the Bracell Papéis plant in Feira de Santana (BA), we commissioned a new biomass boiler, which came online in December. The new unit, which is safer and more efficient, was installed as part of our Inovar program—representing the largest investment in the facility’s history.
Pulp Transportation for Tissue Production
The Bracell Papéis mill in Lençóis Paulista (SP) is located on the same site as Bracell’s flexible lines, where the kraft pulp used in Tissue manufacture is produced. This logistics integration allows the pulp to be transported via pipeline, eliminating the need for drying and road transport, thereby saving GHG emissions and optimizing processes.