Brazil, Sustainability and Agriculture: Reflections from the AMCHAM Forum
- Equipe ESGpec
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Introduction
The AMCHAM 2025 Sustainability Forum , held on April 28th at the Ipiranga Museum in São Paulo, brought together major companies and experts to discuss the direction of the ESG agenda in Brazil and worldwide. With a broad approach to corporate sustainability, the event also provided lessons that directly connect to the challenges facing the field. Topics such as the circular economy, emissions reduction, corporate culture, and multisectoral collaboration reveal urgent applications for the agricultural sector, highlighting that Brazilian agriculture has much to contribute and also much to evolve.
1. Sustainability as a corporate strategy
The event highlighted that sustainability is no longer just a reputational differentiator, but has become part of companies' core strategies. With 72% of Brazilian companies already incorporating sustainability into their core strategy (compared to 26% in 2023), the agricultural sector is also called upon to embrace this transformation, especially given the growing demand for traceability, energy efficiency, and engagement with ESG metrics.
2. Challenges of measurement and engagement with scopes 3
One of the central themes was the challenge of measuring Scope 3 emissions, those beyond the direct control of companies, such as fertilizer use by customers or the transportation of inputs. In agriculture, where the supply chain is long, decentralized, and high in emissions, this challenge is even more relevant. Experiences of companies like Mosaic show that it is possible to support producers with lower-impact inputs and technical assistance to improve environmental outcomes while simultaneously improving profitability.
3. Brazil as a model: tradition, regeneration and innovation in agriculture
Regenerative agriculture was widely cited as a Brazilian differentiator. Integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems (ICLFS), the use of bioinputs, and soil restoration are practices that place the country at the forefront of sustainable production. The event's emphasis on already established, and not necessarily disruptive, solutions is a call for Brazilian agriculture to value what it already does well and scale these solutions.
4. Corporate culture, motivation and sustainability from the inside out
Another strong point was the discussion on the alignment between organizational culture and employee values. Companies that involve their teams in ESG goals are more resilient, more attractive to new talent, and more efficient in delivering sustainable results. In agriculture, where human capital is essential, this is an important reminder: sustainability is also cultivated in relationships.
5. Cooperation and networks: the role of the private sector and multi-stakeholder alliances
Brazil has been praised for its ability to bring together different actors, including the private sector, government, and civil society. This applies directly to agriculture, where impactful solutions require large-scale collaboration: technical assistance, green credit, regulations, and transition incentives. Initiatives like the Global Compact are good examples, and the active participation of agriculture in these spaces can further strengthen its image on the global stage.
6. Circular economy and clean matrix: existing competitive advantages
While some sectors are still trying to reduce their impact, Brazilian agriculture already has valuable tools at its disposal. The clean energy matrix and the possibility of reusing waste as a source of fertility (byproducts, waste, composting) are opportunities to position Brazil as a global provider of food with a low carbon footprint.
Conclusion: from discourse to regenerative efficiency
The event reinforces that now is the time for action. Sustainability needs to be efficient, measurable, and regenerative, both in discourse and in field practices. Brazilian agriculture has sufficient technical foundation, tradition, and innovation to lead this movement. The challenge now is to transform this potential leadership into recognized and applied leadership.
Source: AMCHAM Sustainability Forum 2025
Adaptation and contextualization for the agricultural sector based on official translations made by the ESGpec Team.
About the AMCHAM Sustainability Forum 2025
The AMCHAM 2025 Sustainability Forum, held on April 28 at the Ipiranga Museum in São Paulo, brought together companies, experts, and leaders who have been shaping the ESG agenda in Brazil and around the world. With a broad approach connected to the realities of the productive sector, the event addressed topics such as emission scopes, regenerative innovation, organizational culture, the circular economy, and multi-sector alliances.
The panels and lectures analyzed for the preparation of this article featured the participation of prominent names:
Abrão Neto - CEO of Amcham Brazil - LinkedIn
Antonio Josino Meirelles – Director of Government Relations and Sustainability at Mosaic Fertilizantes - LinkedIn
Daniela Garcia – CEO of Conscious Capitalism Brazil - LinkedIn
John Elkington – Founder and Chief Pollinator at Volans - LinkedIn
Karla Spotorno – Broadcast/Estadão Editor - LinkedIn
Liège Vergili Correia – Sustainability Director at JBS Brazil - LinkedIn
Luciano Francisco Alves – CEO of CBA - Brazilian Aluminum Company - LinkedIn
Marco Dorna – President of Tetra Pak Brazil - LinkedIn
Sonia Consiglio – Sustainability Specialist and SDG Pioneer for the UN Global Compact - LinkedIn
The full forum can be accessed in full on the AMCHAM website:
About the Corporate Sustainability Panorama Survey
The insights in this article were inspired, in part, by the presentation by Abrão Neto , CEO of AMCHAM Brazil , during the Sustainability Forum 2025. In his speech, he highlighted excerpts from the Corporate Sustainability Panorama survey, conducted by AMCHAM itself, which maps trends, advances and challenges in the integration of the ESG agenda by Brazilian companies.
The full survey is available on the AMCHAM website: 🔗 Panorama ESG Survey in Brazil 2024
About AMCHAM
AMCHAM Brazil — the American Chamber of Commerce — is one of the largest chambers of commerce in the world, with a presence in more than 15 Brazilian cities and over 4,000 member companies. The institution promotes dialogue between the private sector, government, and civil society, fostering innovation, sustainability, competitiveness, and international integration. Through forums, committees, and multisectoral events, AMCHAM acts as a strategic bridge for economic development with social and environmental responsibility.
