Brasília, 21 October 2022 – WBCSD's Global Network partner in Brazil - The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), was selected as one of the winners of Brazil's most prestigious corporate communications award for an initiative that led to the issuance of the "Business Leaders for the Climate" statement earlier this year.
The Brazilian Association of Business Communication (Aberje), the main reference in corporate communication in the country, has been organizing the Prêmio Aberje awards for 48 years. After winning this regional award, CEBDS’s work is now in the final for this year’s national prize.
The statement was released in September 2021 with the support of 119 CEOs and 14 sector organizations calling for Brazil to embrace a green economy and for Brazil’s corporate sector to acknowledge their responsibility in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
This initiative started in March 2021 when CEBDS' Council of Leaders— the body bringing together member companies' Presidents and CEOs— requested a manifesto to present the vision of the business sector on the country's sustainable development.
The document showcases the leadership of Brazilian businesses in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demands more action from public authorities in the face of the climate emergency.
Brazil has been strongly affected by illegal deforestation, fires, and biodiversity loss in recent years. In addition to severe environmental damage, reputational damages could bring significant economic losses and trade sanctions risks. Therefore, CEBDS decided to take the lead and show that a considerable part of the Brazilian business sector is committed to sustainable development.
The statement was shared with COP26 President Alok Sharma, and handed over to Brazilian ministers, such as Paulo Guedes (Economy) and Carlos França (Foreign Affairs). Last November, it was presented at COP26 in Glasgow. At the same time, the Brazilian government made a series of essential commitments pointing to a green economy, highlighting the effectiveness of the statement.
Read the “Business Leaders For The Climate” statement in English here.
Selected media coverage of the statement:
- Business leaders urge Brazil to take lead on climate or be left behind, Reuters
- Brazil businesses lean on government to shift climate stance, AP News
- Climat: des entreprises du Brésil appellent le gouvernement Bolsonaro à plus d'engagement, Le Figaro
- Empresas brasileiras assinam documento pelo desenvolvimento sustentável, CNN Brazil
