São Paulo, 12 September 2018: The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) successfully organized its annual Sustentável meeting, gathering leaders of large companies operating in Brazil, and focusing on the present and future challenges of sustainable development for the country. Sessions focused around key enablers of more sustainable growth, most notably the share of renewables in the national energy matrix, water security, access to basic sanitation, business solutions to bring about a transition to a low-carbon economy, financial mechanisms to stimulate sustainable business practices, and gender equality in the workplace.
The event featured the presentation of Agenda CEBDS por um País Sustentável, an advocacy document containing ten proposals elaborated by the CEOs of CEBDS member companies targeting current candidates to Brazil’s Presidency, with the election taking place later this year. This effort, building on a successful engagement in the 2014 Presidential campaign, addresses themes such as energy, deforestation, carbon pricing, water use, and gender as well as racial equality.
CEBDS also leveraged Sustentável 2018 to feature the winners of the second edition of its Women’s Leaders Award, which was set up to recognize women’s efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their companies. Find below a list of the winners.
Individual winners in the category “CEBDS members”
- Solange Ribeiro, Diretora presidente adjunta da Neoenergia
- Beatriz Oliveira, Gerente Corporativa de Meio Ambiente da Ambev
- Roberta Carneiro, Chefe de Proteção Ambiental, Saúde e Segurança da Siemens
Winner of the “New leaders initiative” category
- “Diversidade e Inclusão Total” of Schneider Eletric Brasil
Popular vote winner
- Heliana Kátia Tavares Campos, Presidente do Serviço de Limpeza Urbana do Distrito Federal
Watch this short video featuring the three above winners alongside the winning initiative.
CEBDS launched the Leading Women Awards in 2017 as a contribution to the goals of SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women. CEBDS’ prize was inspired by WBCSD’s Leading Women Awards, which showcases the outstanding business leadership of women in WBCSD member companies who are working to contribute to the SDGs.
All panels and sessions can be viewed here, alongside a detailed write-up in Portuguese.
