This year, Natura celebrates ten years of the Carbon Neutral Program, which marked the beginning of the company's actions regarding the reduction of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the production chain, joining the international effort to limit global warming. "We knew that, as an industrial sector company, we were negatively contributing to the climate. Since it is not possible to eliminate this environmental liability, we seek to minimize the impact as much as possible. And for what cannot be reduced, we use offsets," recalls Keyvan Macedo, Sustainability Manager.
With the program, in 2007, Natura committed to reducing one-third of its emissions by 2013. This represented 480,000 tons of CO2 that were no longer emitted into the atmosphere (equivalent to 83,000 car trips around the Earth). After achieving this first goal, a new commitment was made, and the company aims to reduce another third of its emissions by 2020, based on the year 2012.
Over the ten years of the program, Natura has developed initiatives that associate positive climate impacts with socio-environmental benefits. The main difference in the GHG emissions reduction commitment executed by Natura lies in the scope of application. While some initiatives only implement measures for their own facility emissions, Natura pays attention and cares to apply its policies throughout its entire production chain, from internal operations – energy used in production – to operations outside the company, such as transportation and raw material production.
To achieve this, the company aims to combine research and investments in technology to develop innovative solutions. Refills and packaging, for example, are made from materials such as 100% post-consumer recycled PET and sugarcane plastic; the formulas prioritize ingredients from Brazilian biodiversity – which helps to foster a standing forest economy in the Amazon region.
When a company decides to be Carbon Neutral, in addition to mitigating its environmental impacts, it also promotes sustainable development actions, such as strengthening local economies and protecting biodiversity and water resources, comments Talia Bonfante, Sustainability Coordinator. "A low-carbon economy brings socio-environmental benefits that are good for people, companies, and the planet," she adds.
In this context, one of Natura's initiatives was the formation of a partnership with Itaú Unibanco with the goal of acquiring 500,000 tons of CO2 to offset the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its operations. The launch of the Commitment to Climate notice in 2017 aims to generate new financial flows to be applied in socio-environmental projects that promote the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Brazil ranks seventh among the largest GHG emitters in the world, according to the World Resources Institute, and the forms of emission compensation in the country are only voluntary. With this initiative, Natura and Itaú seek to encourage other private companies to neutralize their GHG emissions and change this reality.
The partnership thus seeks to positively impact society and the planet, as the partner companies believe that climate change represents one of the main challenges for current and future generations.
Check out other Natura initiatives to reduce GHG emissions in the last ten years of the Program:
Carbon Calculator
The carbon calculator is an essential tool for developing and manufacturing a new product. It measures the environmental impact of the complete cycle of each item – from formulation to the disposal of packaging.
Refill
In 1983, Natura was a global pioneer in launching refills for daily use products. Over the years, materials with lower carbon emissions have been adopted, such as 100% post-consumer recycled PET, sugarcane plastic, and pouches. The relative carbon emission of a Natura refill is, on average, 47% lower than a regular item in the portfolio.
Packaging
In 2016, 4.3% of the inputs for making packaging were from post-consumer recycled sources. By 2020, the goal is to reach 10% of post-consumer materials in the composition of packaging. One of the main contributions to this advancement is the Ekos line, relaunched in 2016, which expanded the use of repurposed materials. Their relative carbon emission is 30% lower than that of a common package.
Vegetalization of formulas
Starting in 2005, Natura began replacing animal fats with vegetable oils in its soap line. By 2007, it was time to replace mineral oils with vegetable oils. More than 80% of our formulas are from this renewable source.
Organic Alcohol
The perfumery uses alcohol made from sugarcane, cultivated without burning and without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. This cultivation model allows for the regeneration of the Atlantic Forest and the return of about 340 species of animals to their habitat. The production method also contributed to a 30% increase in water volume in streams and rivers.
Low Impact Transport
Natura was the first company in Latin America to use electric cargo vehicles in its operations. The vehicles leave the Nasp to serve consultants living in neighborhoods in São Paulo and the metropolitan area. These vehicles emit nine times less carbon than a conventional one. Since 2013, ethanol-powered buses have also been adopted for the transportation of employees.
Biodiversity Assets
Through the Amazon Program, Natura seeks to promote the generation of sustainable businesses in the region. To this end, the company engages with 33 communities, encouraging productive techniques that have already contributed to the conservation of 256,000 hectares of standing forest. In 2016, the Ekos, Chronos, and Natura Homem lines were relaunched, with new formulas that further highlight the benefits of each biodiversity asset.
The projects below are examples of how it is possible to offset carbon emissions by supporting initiatives capable of positively impacting the planet's climate.
Efficient Stoves
The partnership between Natura and the Perene Institute has enabled the construction of sustainable stoves in the Recôncavo Baiano region. A similar project also took place in Mexican cities. These stoves use technology that allows for a significant reduction in wood usage. Therefore, the project helps to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, forest degradation, and health problems in the population. A total of 12,247 stoves have already been installed in Brazil and Mexico.
Restoration of the Xingu River Springs
The project is a movement for the recovery and protection of about 300,000 hectares near the springs of the Xingu River in Mato Grosso. A system has been developed that allows planting in one week (and at half the cost) what previously took a month. To make this possible, the local community gathered a large number of seeds – which fostered the creation of a Seed Network among indigenous people, collectors, nurserymen, and landowners. Today, the network has about 450 collectors, generating over R$ 2 million in annual income for them. Natura contributes to the restoration of 516 hectares through its compensation program.
Reca Carbon Project
Natura seeks to recognize the role of family farmers in forest conservation and demonstrate that it is economically viable to reconcile productive activities with forest maintenance. As part of this strategy, the company initiated the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) Project. It compensates communities not only for the purchase of inputs and benefit-sharing but also for environmental protection services. The project involves 109 families who care for 5,000 hectares of forest.
See more:
Natura's new project brings incentives for forest conservation
