Celebrated annually on June 8, Oceans Day was declared by the United Nations (UN) at the Earth Summit in 1992. In 2008, the date was raised to a worldwide commemoration, and the concern for the oceans and for the future of the planet gained new debates and mobilizations around the globe.
The oceans are considered the “true lungs of the world”, responsible for half of the oxygen (O2) that all species – marine or not – breathe. Even those who live far from the sea are influenced by it, whether by regulating the climate, maintaining biodiversity, providing food or ensuring their own breathing.
In 2021, World Oceans Day had as its theme “The ocean: life and livelihoods”. On the occasion, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, went public with an emphatic appeal for humanity to become even more aware of the importance of the oceans and end what he calls the “war against nature”. In his message, Guterres warned of the consequences of maritime devastation and recalled that, today, more than three billion people around the world survive through the oceans.
The secretary general also highlighted the economic, cultural and social role of the oceans, which could be compromised if greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to run rampant. “Carbon emissions are causing oceans to warm and acidify, destroying biodiversity and causing sea level rise, which threatens densely populated coasts,” notes Guterres.
According to 2019 scientific climate studies, the oceans are warming 40% faster than estimated in 2014 by the UN. The math is simple: the more GHG emissions, the more they retain atmospheric heat. As a result, the chances of serious complications for the oceans and life on Earth also increase, due to the melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, more severe and recurrent weather events, the destruction of ecosystems and food chains, among others.
Established earlier this year, the “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)” is yet another UN call for signatory countries to the Organization to continue their efforts in favor of the oceans. The decade will provide a unique opportunity for nations to work together to develop the global ocean science needed to support the sustainable development of the ocean we share. Mitigating climate change in the long term and acting globally is considered one of the most imperative ways to contain the advance of global warming and, as a result, protect the oceans and life as a whole.
Aligning with goals such as those proposed by the Paris Agreement and the Business Ambition for 1.5ºC are some of the actions that companies, governments and society can take to combat irreversible damage to the oceans. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 14 (life below water) also works specifically on the conservation and responsible use of ocean resources.
As they play a fundamental role in sustaining life on Earth, the preservation of the oceans is urgent! By encouraging the reduction of GHG emissions based on climate science, movements such as Impacto NetZero contribute to this conservation.
Lungs of the world
According to the Climate and Ocean GT, from the Observatory of Climate, the oceans release to the atmosphere more than half of the oxygen that living beings breathe. In addition, they capture ⅓ of the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by humanity, which is used for marine plants’ respiration and returned as O2 to the atmosphere. This process regulates the biogeochemical cycles and the Earth's average temperature.
Planet Water
Ocean water represents more than 90% of the total water volume on the Earth's surface, according to information from the Discovery Channel. It also means that most aquatic species on the planet are found in them. Still, an estimated 95% of the planet's oceans remain unexplored to this day.
Conservation units
Maritime Conservation Units (CUs) are large oceanic areas legally managed to protect natural resources and aquatic biodiversity. In Brazil, as GT Clima e Oceano explains, there are two categories of UCs: “full protection (for the protection of Nature) or for sustainable use (for the sustainable exploitation of renewable resources)”. It is the UCs that assure, for example, more responsible fishing and the defense of communities that depend on the oceans.
Floating laboratory
According to CNN, the construction of a floating laboratory financed by the French government to study the concentration of carbon in the ocean should be completed in 2024. The Polar Pod vessel will research the impact of GHGs and climate change in the Atlantic Ocean, with a focus on the Antarctic Sea.
To find out more about the universe of the oceans, check out seven documentaries available online.
According to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, the world must halve its CO2 emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by mid-century.
The Climate Ambition Accelerator is a six-month acceleration program that aims to challenge and support UN Global Compact member companies to set ambitious climate goals, in line with climate science, and to integrate into Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Paris Agreement objectives in their business strategies.
It is an opportunity for companies to become a reference within the national and international climate agenda, strengthening their commitment to socially and environmentally responsible performance, fostering innovation, increasing resilience, market value and long-term sustainability.
Through Global Compact Local Networks around the world, participating companies will have access to global best practices, group learning opportunities, training sessions and on-demand training. Participants will learn:
The Climate Ambition Accelerator program lasts for six months and is exclusive to member companies of the Global Compact. In the case of Brazil, companies that are part of the Global Compact Network Brazil.
It was developed for companies looking to make progress in setting emissions targets based on climate science and who want to build a clear path to address the transition towards zero net greenhouse gas emissions (Net Zero).
During this “climate journey”, the company will be equipped with the knowledge and skills it needs to develop concrete plans to accelerate the strengthening of its climate agenda.
Acknowledging the importance of keeping global warming at 1.5°C, companies are increasingly committed to adopting zero net emissions climate targets. Between July 2019 and June 2020, more than 230 companies committed to achieving zero net emissions as part of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, an urgent call for companies to set emissions reduction targets in line with 1.5°C . The campaign is led by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and supported by a global coalition of leaders from the United Nations, business organizations and NGOs.
Companies must commit to reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement, a global treaty created with the objective of reducing global warming. And to achieve this goal, it is necessary to set goals based on science.
The adoption of science-based goals ensures the implementation of actions in the short term. Although the Net Zero targets are set for 2050, climate action needs to start today. And we need integrity and credibility to achieve this commitment, which is provided by the SBTi, an initiative created and implemented by four partner organizations – CDP, United Nations Global Compact, WRI and WWF – that act collectively and globally.
The targets adopted by companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are considered "science-based" if they are in accordance with what the most current climate science indicates as necessary for the Paris Agreement goals to be achieved: limit global warming to well below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels, making every possible effort to limit this global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
The first step to work on GHG reduction goals is to internalize knowledge. And the best way to do that is to be part of the Climate Ambition Accelerator program. During this “climate journey”, the company will be equipped with the knowledge and skills it needs to develop concrete plans to accelerate the strengthening of its climate agenda.
The program's format allows organizations access to high-level content, global benchmarks and contact with companies with international visibility, while connecting to local challenges and potential.
To participate in the Climate Ambition Accelerator program, the company must meet the following criteria:
Companies participating in the Climate Ambition Accelerator program will work on the following fronts:
The contents are divided into three modules:
The Climate Ambition Accelerator program is carried out in 27 countries and is part of the Global Impact Initiatives of the United Nations Global Compact.
Nationally named Ambition Net Zero and implemented by the Global Compact Network Brazil, it was developed in a format that allows organizations access to high-level content, global benchmarks and contact with internationally visible companies, while connecting to challenges and local potential.
Doubts? Visit the program's website for more information.
First used in 2005 in the UN Global Compact's “Who Cares Wins: Connecting Financial Markets to a Changing World” report, the acronym ESG has spread widely in the national and international investment market. Today, the term is already used as a checkmark for business. Shareholders and investors are gradually prioritizing companies that adopt more sustainable principles in relation to the environment, society and corporate administration.
ESG stands for Environmental (E), Social (S) and Corporate Governance (G). In general terms, the term ESG refers to an analysis metric that assesses the practices of the business sector beyond economic and financial matters, with a deeper look at socio-environmental and organizational agendas.
It is precisely the combination of these factors that indicates which companies are more engaged with the new global sustainability demands and, as a result, are more likely to result in good business and positively impact the planet. “The ESG modality adds to traditional investments the interest in mitigating environmental, social and governance risks caused by the investee's performance with the expectation of greater financial return and value addition”, explains the Institute of Corporate Citizenship (ICE, in Portuguese).
Companies such as Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), one of the most recognized in the financial market, are dedicated to verifying the internal and external practices of companies related to ESG principles. Based on this analysis, MSCI ranks institutions as “Laggards”, still far from ESG practices, “Average” and “Leaders”, highly committed to the environment, society and governance, as shown in the XP Investimentos infographic:
A company approaches a “Leader” rating in ESG when it develops and introduces more sustainable, inclusive and equitable actions into its corporate practices. According to XP Investimentos, some of these practices are:
Environmental: reduction of net emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs); preservation of biodiversity; sustainable financing and responsible management of natural resources; investment in renewable energy; among others.
Social: fair and inviolable working conditions; individual and collective protection of employees; product safety and quality standards; investment in human capital; access to nutrition and health; among others.
Corporate Governance: ethics and transparency in business; audits and equity controls; corporate diversity from the board to the workforce; adoption of actions against corruption; among others.
ESG investments are already characterized as an important change for the business sector. Companies that are not dedicated to adapting their practices and adopting ESG principles in the coming years have great chances of “falling behind in business”. Check out other reasons to mobilize for the environment, society and corporate governance:
When companies mobilize to adopt ESG practices, especially focused on environmental and GHG emissions reduction matters, the result is a direct impact on maintaining the increase in global temperature below 1.5°C.
Companies that adopt ESG practices are better prepared to meet the policies and requirements that are being practiced around the world. With more responsible businesses and more valued employees the business will increasingly attract more interest from investors.
It is not just the investment sector that has its eye on companies aligned with the ESG principles. More and more informed and demanding consumers have prefered products and services that adopt sustainable practices.
The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative already represents 1/3 of ESG investments worldwide. Currently with 87 signatories, including Brazilians, the group of managers is proof that the adoption of sustainable practices has great prominence in the business sector.
Klabin is the largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging and paper packaging in Brazil. With 122 years of history and 24 industrial units, 23 in Brazil and one in Argentina, in addition to a robust forestry base in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and São Paulo, the company is recognized nationally and internationally for its management guided by sustainable development .
Klabin maintains a historic commitment to sustainability and has been taking important steps towards combating climate change for years. In May of this year (2021), the company had its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). With this, it aligns with more than 1,400 companies around the globe in the commitment to reduce their emissions based on science. Operating in two scopes (1 - own emissions and 2 - emissions in purchased energy), the approved target establishes the reduction of GHG emissions per ton of cellulose, paper and packaging by 25% by 2025, and by 49% by 2035, with 2019 as the base year.
In 2019, Klabin was one of the first Brazilian companies to commit to the “Business Ambition for 1.5ºC - Our Only Future” campaign, led by agencies of the United Nations (UN) and by the SBTi. More recently, it joined the Race to Zero movement, further expanding its commitment to reduce and neutralize its GHG emissions, in order to effectively contribute to the mitigation of climate change.
Through numerous decarbonization initiatives in its production processes, the company has reduced its specific emissions (CO2 eq/t product) by 64% over the last 17 years. It should be noted that, due to its forest areas, which capture and store enough CO₂ to offset the emissions from its production process, Klabin already has a positive carbon balance of 4.5 million tons of CO₂eq, performing an extremely important environmental service for combating climate change.
Klabin's commitment to the topic contributed to the company being invited to join the COP26 Business Leaders, the group responsible for spreading and engaging the private sector in the climate change topic, in addition to dealing with the agendas of the 26th Conference of the Parties, which will be held this year.
Another important initiative by Klabin in relation to sustainability is the Klabin Objectives for Sustainable Development (KODS). In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in 2020 the company established the Klabin 2030 Agenda, with short, medium and long-term goals, which prioritize the environmental, social and governance needs that are fundamental for the development of its business and for the urgent needs of society and the planet. “Climate Change” is part of this Agenda, having as one of its goals the net capture of 45 million tons of CO₂eq from the atmosphere between 2020 and 2030.
Since the 1980s, Klabin has been approaching social and environmental issues, even before the first discussions on sustainability promoted by the UN. Far beyond a concern with industrial capital, Klabin mobilizes itself in favor of efficient and responsible management of natural resources and biodiversity.
With many recognitions and certifications, Klabin continues to follow a path of respect and care for the environment.
Learn more about Klabin's history and follow the company's main news here.
The 2010-2019 decade was the hottest in all of history due to the large amount of net carbon emissions, which alter the greenhouse effect and increase global warming. If humanity continues at this pace of CO2 production, the projection is that the increase in the Earth's global average temperature will reach almost 4ºC by 2100, according to the organization Climate Action Tracker.
To prevent natural disasters caused by global warming – such as rising sea levels, melting glaciers, changing rainfall distribution, prolonged droughts and floods, and changes in the entire food chain – it is necessary to drastically reduce the use of fossil sources such as petroleum.
It is with this goal in mind that Net Zero emerged, a concept focused on developing strategies to achieve a balance of zero net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially carbon.
Net Zero has gained space in several organizations, especially in recent years, due to the growing pressure from shareholders, activists and customers for companies to maintain more sustainable strategies, ensuring a better quality of life for the planet and its inhabitants.
This commitment has also gained greater notoriety since the Paris Agreement, a 2015 world treaty between 196 nations, including Brazil, which aims to reduce global warming. In effetc since 2016, its main objective is to limit the temperature increase to 1.5ºC. This requires that nations achieve zero net emissions by 2050.
Net Zero is the simplified name of Net Zero Carbon Emission. Net Zero targets establish a commitment to, first of all, reduce as much as possible the emission of greenhouse gases and, from there, neutralize residual emissions, that is, those that it has not been possible to eliminate.
Many companies already offset carbon production with carbon credits, but it's time to go further. Organizations must have a management plan aimed at reducing net CO2 emissions.
This means that net zero emissions must be achieved not just by offsetting emissions but, in the first place, by reducing those emissions. The closer to zero the level of net CO2 emissions, the better.
To support companies on their journey towards net zero emissions, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is developing criteria and methods for companies to set Net Zero targets as indicated by the latest climate science. In addition, SBTi released a document that establishes the fundamentals and guiding principles for these goals, and clarifies relevant concepts on the topic.
SBTi website, it is also possible to follow the process of elaboration of these criteria and goals and keep up-to-date on what is being produced.
There are several benefits to the planet as a whole when you become Net Zero. Not only from an environmental point of view, but also from an economic, social, governance, health and more aspects.
The reduction of net carbon emissions also contributes to the reduction of the global average temperature, thus decreasing the occurrence of fires, droughts and floods that destroy regions and lead to the advance of world poverty. With the adoption of Net Zero the quality of life of entire populations can be improved.
The more companies that adhere to Net Zero, the greater will be the changes in humankind's lifestyle. There is, for example, greater adoption of conscious consumption, not wasting food and non-polluting transport options, among others.
A study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that a 2°C increase in global average temperature would result in the extinction of 99% of the planet's coral reefs, in addition to 16% of plants, for example.
As a result, animals that maintain a mutualistic or food-chain relationship with these biomes would also die. By joining Net Zero and reducing net carbon emissions, fauna and flora are also spared.
One of the consequences of global warming for human health is the increased risk of respiratory problems, such as allergies, asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, bronchitis, among others.
With a greater net carbon emission, the ozone layer is also affected and ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth with greater force, which can lead to burns and even an increased risk of skin cancer and cataracts.
With a lower concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a reduction in the increase in global temperature, the Earth's natural protection and air quality improve, and thus, irritation in the airways, damage to the lungs and even some types of cancer are prevented.
Climate change caused by exaggerated carbon emissions negatively affects food production and life. Consequently, there is less availability of natural foods and an increase in the insect population.
It is worth mentioning that a greater number of insects can result in greater use of pesticides in food, which, in turn, can lead to food poisoning and a greater demand for processed foods, generating an endless cycle.
By promoting carbon emissions reduction, it is possible to fight diseases connected to the lack of healthy foods, such as malnutrition and obesity; and also prevent diseases spread by insects, such as malaria, dengue, Zika, Chagas disease, among others.
Learn how to join ImPacto NetZero and become part of the change.
"A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." It is with this Chinese proverb that the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” campaign invites leaders to take a bold step that could inspire others: signing a public letter with a commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
The Business Ambition for 1.5ºC campaign is a call to action for business leaders to commit to setting science-based goals to reduce their companies' greenhouse gas emissions.
The campaign encourages companies to engage and fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon.
This call to action was presented by the United Nations Global Compact, linked to the United Nations (UN), which encourages companies to adopt corporate social responsibility and sustainability policies, and by the Science Based Targets (SBTi) initiative ). More than 570 companies around the world have already joined the Business Ambition for 1.5ºC.
To contain climate catastrophes and avoid irreversible damage to the global population, the most current climate science, systematized in the IPCC Special Report, published in 2018, indicates that it is necessary to limit the temperature increase to up to 1.5ºC. The level is in line with the Paris Agreement (2015), a commitment signed between 196 nations to keep the increase in the Earth's temperature below 2°C.
To be part of the campaign, companies need to sign the Business Ambition for 1.5ºC commitment letter, becoming part of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which offers methods and tools for companies of different sizes to set science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.
Learn more about “How to set a carbon reduction target”.
Companies’ managers interested in being part of the Business Ambition campaign can choose one or both of the options below:
Option 1 - 1.5°C scientific targets: establish GHG emissions reduction targets in line with trajectories that limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. These goals must be achieved in a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 years.
Option 2 - Net Zero emissions commitment: target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, in addition to internal emissions reduction targets (5 to 15 years).
By signing the Business Ambition for 1.5ºC campaign commitment letter, companies commit to the Race to Zero movement, focused on making companies more sustainable by reducing carbon emissions by 2050.
In the Business Ambition for 1.5°C document, companies are encouraged to commit to zero net emissions targets with full scientific basis. Such goals must be transformed into consistent actions, which will have their progress monitored.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are goals designed by a long, multisectoral and participatory process led by the United Nations (UN). The SDGs aim to end poverty, ensure human rights, fight social inequality, achieve gender equality, act against climate change and address other social, environmental and economic challenges by 2030.
The SDGs are part of Agenda 2030, the “global action plan” adopted in 2015 during the UN General Assembly. In addition to the 17 SDGs, the plan defines sustainable development based on the 5Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Partnerships and Peace. Each SDG also has specific goals.
Altogether, the document establishes 169 goals. “These are clear goals and targets, for all countries to adopt according to their own priorities and act in the spirit of a global partnership that guides the necessary choices to improve people's lives, now and in the future”, explains the Agenda 2030 website.
1.No poverty: end poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. Zero hunger and sustainable agriculture: end hunger, achieve food safety and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good health and well-being: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Quality education: ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. Gender equality: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean water and sanitation: ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and clean energy: ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
8. Decent work and economic growth: promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
10. Reduced inequality: reduce income inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable cities and communities: make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible consumption and production: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Climate action: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life below water: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Life on land: protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions: promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnership for the goals: strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
As shown in the image below, if the country does not commit to complying with the SDGs, only goals 6 (Clean water and sanitation) and 7 (Affordable and clean energy) will be achieved by 2030.
Brazil's progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals can be followed on the official ODS Brazil website.
Like the Government and the third sector, companies play a fundamental role in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. They are holders of economic power and promote innovations and technologies that serve different audiences, from suppliers to consumers.
More and more companies are engaged with the SDGs in Brazil and worldwide. After all, incorporating sustainable goals into business is good both for the planet and for the company itself in the social, environmental and governance spheres.
One of these goals is to reduce net carbon emissions and use renewable energy sources to achieve Net Zero – an ambitious and transformative goal that fits into SDG #13, “Action against Global Climate Change”.
This SDG can be seen transversally to the others. See some correlations of ODS 13 with the other SDGs:
Among the numerous benefits of the Net Zero movement to the planet are: environmental preservation, improved air quality, conservation of biodiversity, lower risk of disease, use of clean energy sources, better work opportunities based on ESG principles, more sustainable cities, conscious consumption, better quality of life for all species, among others.
By joining Net Zero, the business sector can still implement and achieve several other SDGs. Click here to learn more about Net Zero.
Present in 160 countries and linked to the United Nations (UN), the Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. Reference for the business sector, it strategically works with companies of different sizes, in addition to non-business organizations, to achieve sustainable goals and develop in the face of new business models.
Created in 2000 by Kofi Annan, then UN Secretary General, the Global Compact emerged as a reaction to the growing influence and impact of the business sector on social, environmental, economic and political issues. For the initiative, the transformation role of companies and their highest executives (CEOs) goes beyond profit: it is in the commitment to a more sustainable and human world.
Currently, more than 17,000 institutions make up the Global Compact, 13,000 of which are companies and 4,000 non-business organizations, including NGOs and governance entities. To meet the challenges of the countries, the initiative was divided into local networks, such as Network Brazil, which assess the particularities of each region for more effective and targeted operations. There are already 70 networks across the globe.
Institutions that wish to implement ambitious goals that prioritize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda can be linked to the Global Compact. Along with the initiative, companies and organizations find partnerships and tools for their goals to be structured, achieved and disclosed with transparency.
Some of the topics covered by the Global Compact are:
More recently, the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles were incorporated into the corporate sustainability actions developed by the Global Compact. In 2004, the acronym ESG was first mentioned in an initiative report.
The Global Compact Network Brazil was created in 2003 and, in recent years, it has grown exponentially. Today, "it is the third largest local network in the world, the largest in the Americas and the largest in the global south," according to the initiative. In 2020, 67% of the best companies recognized by the annual “Época Negócios 360º” index were linked to Network Brazil, comprising its more than 1200 members.
Following the same principles of the Global Compact, Network Brazil mobilizes companies and organizations towards more sustainable businesses. Four fronts are explored locally:
Internally, Network Brazil is responsible for offering support and institutional guidelines for the business sector to define a strategic action plan based on its targets. The initiative also provides tools and training for companies.
Externally, Network Brazil has been investing in collective projects between companies and partners to exchange experiences, in addition to promoting and curating events that give visibility to the organizations and agendas developed.
In order for institutions linked to the Global Compact Network Brazil to engage even more in the universe of corporate sustainability, the initiative has Action Platforms. Through them, the business sector can articulate itself based on seven coalitions.
The Action Platforms are divided into Thematic and Transversal:
Thematic
Transversais:
In addition to the Platforms, Rede Brasil also operates in International Programs. Among them is Net Zero Ambition, linked to global campaigns such as Race to Zero and focused on how the business sector can accelerate the reduction of net carbon emissions in the world.
The Global Compact Network Brazil receives institutional support from Klabin S.A., the company leading the ImPacto NetZero Campaign. To learn more about the Network's operations in the country, check out the 10 Principles that guide the initiative.
Companies and organizations wishing to join the Global Compact Network Brazil must submit a letter signed by the institution's CEO demonstrating interest and proactivity in taking part in the initiative. Enrollment is completely online and made on the Network Brazil website.
After submission, Rede Brasil analyzes the application and the candidate company. If approved, the company joins the Network and defines its “level of engagement”, as explained in the initiative. There are two levels:
Learn more how to join here.
The “Leaders Summit 2021” will take place on June 15th and 16th, an online event of the Global Compact that will connect business leaders, governance and civil society to debate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including, of course, the SDG 13 abou Climate.
Follow Global Compact Network Brazil’s social networks.
Postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) now has a date to take place. Scheduled for November 1st to 12th, in Glasgow (United Kingdom), the largest climate meeting of the United Nations (UN) gains an emphatic appeal from world leaders this year: there is no more time to waste!
The urgency is understandable. Since the first measurements of carbon in Earth's atmosphere, climate scientists have warned of the progressive warming of the planet's temperature. A reality that crosses continental boundaries and is felt to a greater or lesser degree throughout the world.
Mobilizing collectively has never been more challenging for the “Parties”, UN signatory nations committed to the climate. After all, given the imminent risks of climate change, taking action is no longer a choice: it is a priority.
What is expected from COP26 in November is the joining of even more efforts through the leadership of the Parties. Learn more about the Conference of the Parties:
The year was 1992 and the world was watching with an attentive eye the Earth Summit (also called Eco-92), a climate conference held in June in Rio de Janeiro. At the center of the debate was the planet and the importance of protecting it from socioeconomic advances.
A month earlier, in New York, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was approved, the UN alliance that would revolutionize actions and strategies at a global level in favor of the Earth.
According to the UNFCCC timeline, Eco-92 was the kickoff for several nations to come together in common agreement on the climate. At the Rio Summit, several (under)developed countries became signatories to the UN Framework Convention, committing themselves to reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), among other responsibilities.
Two years later, in 1994, the UNFCCC took effect and the 196 nations that signed the Framework Convention were renamed “Parties” and started meeting annually at the “Conference of the Parties” (COP).
The COP is defined by the UNFCCC as the “supreme decision-making body of the Convention” and brings together the signatory nations in the figures of government, business and third sector representatives to debate and follow up on the established goals, guide new treaties and propose new solutions for the future of the planet.
Since the first Conference, in 1995, the Parties have aspired to preserve the planet and all species, in a healthy and harmonious balance. Over time, agreements and priorities have been adapted based on the challenges that climate change is causing in the world.
About to bring the world together in the largest UN climate forum, the 26th Conference of the Parties already looks like it will be one of the most decisive events for the future of the planet. In 2021, the United Kingdom hosts the Conference for the first time between the 1st and 12th of November. Indian parliamentarian Alok Sharma is the elected president to represent COP26.
Discussions about climate change and the immediate actions to be taken after COP26 have already intensified expectations on the national and international scene. That's due to this year's COP focus on four key topics that, if fulfilled, are considered to be the best chance of a turning point for a more resilient and Net Zero world. According to the official publication “COP26 Explained”, they are:
As in every COP, the Parties must debate these key points and establish the best path for them to be met at a global level, based on the particularities and challenges of each nation. In addition to discussions on the environment, COP26 should also bring to the heart of the Conference the concern to protect vulnerable groups to climate change.
Global campaigns such as Race to Zero and Race to Resilience, linked to the UN Framework Convention, will also be called for debate as a way to engage institutions and society in the race towards Net Zero.
Other important events related to COP26 take place before November. These include Pre-COP and Youth4Climate, based in Italy in September, and the G20 Leaders Summit in October. Stay tuned!
Since 1995, the Conference of the Parties takes place annually in different regions of the world on a rotating basis. Bonn, the German city where the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention is located, has been the stage of the COP three times, followed by Marrakesh and Buenos Aires (twice each). Brazil has not hosted any COP yet.
See the hosts of past COPs since its creation.
Check out more details about each edition of the COPs on the UNFCCC website.
Over 25 editions, the Conference of the Parties was permeated by historic international agreements. One of the best known is the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 during COP3 in Japan. The proposed goal was to limit and reduce harmful gases emitted into the atmosphere, especially from developed countries, responsible for releasing large portions.
The Protocol, recognized by the UNFCCC as the “first global treaty to reduce GHG emissions”, went through a long and troubled process of adhesion by the Parties, taking effect only in 2005 without full approval.
Eighteen years after its adoption at COP3, the Kyoto Protocol was replaced by the Paris Agreement. Signed at COP21, hosted in France in 2015, its main goal is international cooperative work to prevent the Earth's average temperature from rising above 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. “The Paris Agreement is a milestone because, for the first time, it brings together all nations in a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change,” clarifies the UN Framework Convention.
To achieve the defined goal, Parties must invest in reducing GHG emissions, adopting resilient actions and managing financial and technological resources. Learn more about how the Paris Agreement works in the UNFCCC video.
Recognized for its trajectory guided by sustainability and concerned since its foundation with natural resources and biodiversity, Klabin is the only Brazilian company invited to join the “COP26 Business Leaders”.
The group, made up of executives from different sectors and nations, is responsible for disseminating and engaging the private sector in the climate change issue, in addition to carrying out the agendas of the 26th UN Conference of Parties, which will be held this year. Cristiano Teixeira, Klabin's CEO, will be present at the event as one of the representatives of the Brazilian private sector.
Aiming to prepare the business sector before the 26th Conference of the Parties, the Global Compact Network Brazil's Climate Action Platform made a didactic guide (FAQ) explaining the main points about the event.
The “Beginners' Guide to COP26” explains, among other topics, how companies can engage in the COP, how to promote actions at COP26 and what to expect from the 26th Conference.
Check out the Global Compact Network Brazil FAQ here.
We humans are complex beings that have inhabited the Earth for millennia. Each with a history and a baggage, we mean everything and, at the same time, we are equivalent to just a small fragment in the universe. We are many and yet we have found a way to be unique.
In a lecture, American environmentalist John Francis gives us a clue: “We are the environment and how we treat each other is really how we treat the environment.”
Without a doubt, the “house” where we live together is what unites us, even with our differences. Coexisting on Earth keeps us connected and that's why our individual actions, no matter how small, impact everyone and everything that shares the planet.
For a long time, Earth existed without us. But without the Earth there is no possible future for life as we know it. How are we treating our planet, its resources, its species and ourselves?
The Campaign, which was previously called Race to Zero Brasil, has grown and now has the UN Global Compact Network Brazil as an important partner.
ImPacto NetZero is a call for the mobilization of companies and society in favor of a more sustainable planet. We invite companies to evaluate the adoption of targets for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions based on science, thus contributing to the mitigation of climate change.
Be part of this network. Be part of ImPacto NetZero!
Carbon dioxide is part of several natural chemical processes. But the unrestrained emission of this gas has reached alarming levels, and the consequences are harmful to the environment and to various species due to the increase in global temperature. Routine actions such as bathing, cooking and driving to work contribute to making each person responsible for the emission of 1.6 ton of carbon per year, according to the NGO Iniciativa Verde.
Combating excessive CO2 emissions is a vital necessity. The reduction or replacement of polluting sources that are part of our daily lives can help to reverse the worrying scenario of climate change. And the best part: even becoming a new, more sustainable habit.
1. Reusable bags
Plastic bags take about ten years to decompose. It is worth remembering that the manufacture of plastic is the result of burning oil, which in turn generates carbon emissions. In addition, the incorrect disposal of this material, which is so common in everyday life, ends up polluting the seas and creating a risk to species chains.
Take reusable bags with you to carry your purchases. They are often reinforced and more practical to use than several small bags at once.
2. Plan what to buy
Avoid going to the market hungry or to the mall as soon as you receive your salary. In addition to being uneconomical, impulse purchases may not be sustainable.
The tip here is to use a shopping list. Leave a notebook in a visible place for you to write down whenever you remember that something is missing or needed. When you go to the market or store, take your list with you.
3. Avoid processed foods
Industrialized or processed foods can seem like great friends on a day-to-day basis because of their ease and saving time. However, the techniques applied in this production often use the burning of fossil fuels, which generates carbon dioxide emissions.
The fact that this type of food contains artificial ingredients, such as additives and preservatives, combined with damage to the environment may be the excuse you needed to migrate to a healthier and more natural diet.
Another good idea is to reduce meat consumption, since large-scale cattle breeding also contributes to the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, due to the reduction of forest areas to maintain the practice.
4. Carpool
If you have co-workers who live near or pass by your house, one option is to hitch a ride. Sharing gasoline brings benefits to the pocket and especially to the environment, reducing gas emissions generated by the excess of vehicles circulating on the streets. There are also apps and groups on social networks where you can find someone to share your route.
5. Bike or public transportation instead of your car
The automobile and transport industry is responsible for a large part of the emission of carbon dioxide on the planet. Imagine a universe without spending on gasoline, property tax, parking and, at the same time, super ecological? With small daily exchanges, this is possible!
By adopting a bicycle in your routine, you leave these problems aside, you can contemplate more of the landscape, exercise and, in addition, do good for the environment.
If pedaling doesn't suit you, change your car for public transport: the fewer vehicles in circulation, the better for everyone and for the planet. This exchange not only helps to reduce carbon emissions, but also helps to decongest traffic. In large urban centers there are also options such as shared bicycles and electric scooters.
6. Share this idea
In addition to adopting new individual habits and transforming your relationship with the environment on a daily basis, you can also help to share knowledge and bring the idea of sustainability to more and more people.
If you prefer something more practical, engage in initiatives or projects that focus on a more sustainable planet, Net Zero can be a good option. Those who work in companies can suggest that their company join the of the Global Compact Network Brazil, which guides the sector to engage in sustainable goals and strategies. Learn more about the Network.
The importance of reducing carbon emissions, the main element responsible for the increase in the planet's temperature, has increasingly become a consensus among the international community. The result of global warming is catastrophic effects on life on Earth – such as melting glaciers, intense heat waves, tsunamis and altered food chains.
Adopting clean, renewable energy sources that contribute to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere, such as wind, solar, biomass and tides, is no longer a matter of choice, but of priority. It is necessary to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions so that there is a balance between what human beings emit and what nature absorbs of carbon.
That’s why initiatives such as the Actions Platform, created by the Global Compact Network Brazil, increasingly bring together members of the Brazilian business community concerned with adhering to sustainable practices and goals for the future of the planet, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
But, before knowing how to contribute to carbon reduction in your daily life, it is important to understand what carbon is, its effects and how we got to the worrying level we are now in terms of emissions.
Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a product of chemical energy generation. We produce CO2 even when we breathe, inhaling oxygen gas for energy and exhaling carbon dioxide back to nature.
The production of CO2 is a natural and essential process for life, but that doesn't mean that our breathing is to blame for global warming. In fact, the largest production of CO2 comes from burning fuels.
As with our respiratory system, combustion of products such as oil and firewood results in energy. As a result, water and carbon dioxide are released. It is precisely the constant and massive burning of these fuels that emits a harmful amount of CO2 to the planet.
Although carbon dioxide is the most common, there are other gases (with or without carbon in their composition) that affect the planet's temperature. These gases are called greenhouse gases. Although this effect is fundamental to make our life viable on the planet, when emitted in excess, the gases cause the imbalance we call global warming and climate change.
Chemically, carbon and carbon dioxide are different. While carbon is a chemical element (C), carbon dioxide (CO2) is a compound that contains carbon. However, popularly, today the word “carbon” is used as a simplified way to refer to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, although not all of them contain the element carbon.
Carbon is not a villain. It is part of several natural chemical processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis, as well as the greenhouse effect, regulating the Earth's climate and making it habitable. Without CO2, for example, the planet's temperature would be around -20ºC, which would make life impossible.
The problem is the excessive burning of fossil fuels which saturates the atmosphere with carbon dioxide and raises the global average temperature. Thus, it is necessary to reduce carbon emissions so that we have a thermodynamic balance.
It is essential to emphasize that several factors over time contributed to this scenario, such as the Industrial Revolution and the increasingly constant use of combustion vehicles. In Brazil there is currently a car for every four inhabitants, according to the National Traffic Department (Denatran).
The image below was developed by climate scientist Ed Hawkins of the University of Reading (England) and shows the global temperature difference between 1850 and 2019. The redder the image, the hotter the planet.
Warming Stripes for GLOBE from 1850-2019
Throughout Earth's most recent history, interventions made by humans have contributed to the progressive increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, as a result, to global warming. In an attempt to curb the advance of climate change, several global mobilizations were developed, most of them mediated by the United Nations (UN). See a timeline with environmental milestones that permeated the UN's 75 years in this link and important milestones of the last 25 years in the evolution of international climate policy in this link.
We need to mobilize massively. Not only demanding actions from companies and politicians, but also taking the lead, as a society, of routine actions that can contribute to lower CO2 emissions. Click to learn how to be a part of this change.