CMPC holds the first Sustainability Forum in Brazil with the participation of the creator of the Conscious Capitalism global movement

At the event, Indian leader and bestseller Raj Sisodia and the CMPC CEO and first Latin American director of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Francisco Ruiz-Tagle addressed the main challenges for consolidating the bioeconomy.

Public sector leaders, private sector executives and civil society representatives gathered at the first sustainability forum organized by CMPC in Brazil. In the city of Porto Alegre under the motto “The Biofuture is here”, the company led the event in which its CEO and current World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Director Francisco Ruiz-Tagle and the creator of the Conscious Capitalism movement and author of the bestseller “Companies that Heal” Raj Sisodia both participated. 

The Indian leader and the Chilean executive shared their views on the importance of a sustainable agenda for the future of the population and the world economy. Ruiz-Tagle explained how sustainability is part of the company’s business strategy that is about to launch in November called the BioCMPC project, an initiative that includes the expansion of production line 2 (G2) of the Guaíba plant, which will increase its annual production by 350 thousand tons, becoming one of the most competitive industrial divisions in the world. In addition, BioCMPC made more than USD 40 million in environmental investments. The project will prevent more than 460 tons of CO2 emissions and reduce both water use and waste to landfill to almost zero.

The CMPC executive said, “The investment figures and returns for companies that have embraced environmental, social and governance principles show that the path of social and environmental sustainability generates greater dividends and attracts more investors.” According to Ruiz-Tagle, these are the reasons why the company sees sustainability as part of its long-term business vision and made it part of the five pillars of its 2030 development strategy, along with growth, concern for customers, competitiveness and talent. 

“We have set sustainability goals for ourselves by 2030, which include being global leaders in the forestry industry in terms of ESG indicators, to be a change agent for community development and to contribute to the company’s own development through challenging environmental goals aligned with science,” explained Ruiz-Tagle. He added that these guidelines are applied at the 48 production plants distributed in 12 countries, including those in Brazil where the company is focused on consolidating its three businesses with the option to further its growth and investment there.

CMPC is currently present in Brazil with its Guaíba plant with the forestry and industrial assets of the pulp, paper and paper sack business of the Iguaçu Celulose, Papel S.A. company located in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina and Carta Fabril in Rio de Janeiro. 

Likewise, the company has implemented the CMPC Circular Economy Hub in Rio Grande Do Sul. Th project will treats about 600 thousand tons of waste per year, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and pollution while promoting the circular economy. During its more than 30 years of activity, the Hub has prevented about 16 million tons of waste from being sent to landfills and become a supporter of local development. The initiative was recognized last year as an example of transformative actions in the forestry sector by the WBCSD.

“Following the teachings of Professor Sisodia, this is the way we apply in practice the principles of a more conscious capitalism that is not only interested in increasing or improving production for economic interests, but does so to the extent that this implies a contribution to all stakeholders,” concluded the CMPC CEO.

Specifically, Raj Sisodia explained that sustainability is increasingly about not only doing less damage, but also restoring, rethinking and regenerating everything that has been lost due to human activity. “In the last 100 years we have lost a lot. Some things can be reversed, some can’t, but nature is resilient and can recover. We have to make decisions to make that happen. It is our duty, and it is in our hands,” he said. 

Sisodia added that the current decade will be a determinant. “Whatever we decide to do or not do will impact the future of humanity and many other species on this planet. So there’s a sense of urgency.” The speaker pointed out that governments play a key role in this, alluding to the regulation of companies. “We have to align policy with what we really want to bring to society. This is where governments have their role to play.  Generally, businesses oppose regulation, and I recognize that there can be a lot of bad regulation, but there is nothing as powerful as good regulation. This is a positive thing for conscientious companies and for eliminating operators who often do harm. On the other hand, there must also be incentives,” he concluded.

The event was mediated by Brazilian journalist Rosana Jatobá, who in recent years has gained notoriety in the world of sustainability by hosting the television program “A World to Call Your Own.”