For the second successive year, Pontes has become the only company in the sector to measure the CO2 emissions of its entire operation and to be ‘Published and Verified’ as Carbon Neutral, under the methodology of the GHG Protocol Brazil. As a result of its sustainable carnauba wax manufacturing, Pontes received the Gold Seal from the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program. This is an important milestone in the commitment to sustainability and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to society’s wider efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Being granted the Gold Seal involved rigorous assessment, which required Pontes to draw up an emissions inventory, disclose detailed information on these emissions, undergo auditing by a specialist third-party auditor, and then consent to publication of the composition of the company’s emissions and details.
The company’s targets, which are in line with rigorous scientific practices, were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming the commitment to sustainability and lowering of carbon emissions.
Commitment with the Environment in the Manufacture of Best Quality Carnauba Wax
Pontes is proud to play a leading and unique role as a sustainable carnauba wax manufacturer. One of the fundamental pillars of Pontes' sustainability strategy is the use of 100% renewable energy. The company uses 100% of biomass and self-generated solar energy in its operations in Piauí, and has achieved 99% use of renewable energy in Ceará, avoiding the emission of 478.68 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere per year.
Brazil GHG Program
The Brazilian GHG Protocol Program is a partnership of Brazil’s Ministry of Environment, the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Centre for Sustainability Studies of the Fundação Getulio Vargas (GVces), the World Business Council on Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute.
The initiative is focused on the accounting and management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Brazil. The program aims to build capacity on GHG accounting and reporting and provide useful information to stakeholders through the development of standards and tools, training and knowledge production and the Public Emissions Registry (online platform for publishing GHG inventories).
Science Based Targets initiative
The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting. Offering a range of target-setting resources and guidance, the SBTi independently assesses and approves companies’ targets in line with its strict criteria. Having targets approved by the SBTi demonstrates that the company is making a real and measurable impact in the fight against climate change, significantly contributing to the mitigation of its effects.
Net Zero Ambition Movement
Pontes has made a public commitment to the Net Zero Ambition Movement, a UN initiative that aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This effort, aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, aims to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, thus mitigating the impacts of climate change. The Net Zero Movement involves governments, companies, and civil society organisations, promoting actions to significantly reduce carbon emissions and encouraging sustainable practices.
Pontes' Participation in Global Initiatives
In June of this year, Pontes was invited to participate in a UN roundtable convened by Secretary-General, António Guterres, to identify the main challenges to climate change posed by the regulatory and public policy environments in countries around the world. The company shared experiences and best practices to help integrate climate change solutions and measures into future policies, strategies and planning.
Invitations were extended to thought leaders and activists from many countries, with the results intended to support the Secretary-General in the development of a policy paper containing meaningful recommendations for change.
Pontes was also one of just three companies invited to share climate governance practices at a meeting of the UN Global Compact Climate Action Platform, Rede Brasil, held in June. More than 150 companies gathered at the event for far-reaching and involved discussion on “The Importance of Climate Governance in the Business Sector”.
UN Sustainable Development Goal 13
This particular SDG, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, has long been central to Pontes' motivations and planning. This year, in alignment with SDG13, Pontes has made significant investments to enhance climate change education and raise awareness about approaches to mitigating change.
The company's training program on climate issues promotes events across 4 Brazilian states. In an area with a 46% deforestation rate, Pontes’ Carnauba production approach has successfully preserved 19,117 hectares of the Caatinga biome.
