GRI GRI 101-2 Managing Impacts on Biodiversity

GRI 101-2 Managing Impacts on Biodiversity

Bracell applies the mitigation hierarchy to prevent, minimize, restore and offset biodiversity impacts through structured policies, programs and practices.

Measures to prevent negative impacts on biodiversity:

  • Zero deforestation policy, ensuring no native vegetation is converted into eucalyptus plantations
  • Raw material traceability, ensuring pulpwood is traceable to socially and environmentally compliant sources
  • Forest fire prevention, supported by monitoring systems, dedicated equipment and specialized teams
  • Prevention of poaching and timber theft
  • Environmental risk assessments conducted prior to operations
  • Assessment and mapping of land, water bodies and priority conservation sites to inform forest planning
  • Sustainable forest management and biological pest control
  • Soil preparation in accordance with technical recommendations to minimize erosion and compaction
  • Environmental training and education for internal teams, contractors and communities
  • Equipment and processes designed to reduce emissions, particulates and pollutants
  • Control of invasive exotic species (such as eucalyptus and pine) to prevent unintended expansion.

Measures to restore and rehabilitate affected ecosystems:

  • Ecological restoration programs in degraded areas
  • Use of restoration manuals and protocols to raise awareness among forestry partners
  • Maintaining certified wildlife release areas to support rehabilitation and reintroduction into natural habitats
  • Monitoring fauna and flora to assess restoration effectiveness and inform corrective actions
  • Engagement with stakeholders, including communities, environmental authorities, researchers and conservation partners
  • Bicho à Vista wildlife siding program

Offset measures for residual negative impacts:

  • Creating and maintaining state-level Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs) in Bahia, protecting priority ecosystems
  • Restoring degraded land, including planting native species and soil interventions using a variety of ecological restoration methods
  • Formal wildlife salvaging procedures and referral to specialized rehabilitation centers

Transformative measures and additional conservation actions:

  • Expanding landscape initiatives under our One-For-One Commitment, independently assured annually by a specialized third party
  • Ongoing conservation in natural heritage reserves, High Conservation Value Areas (HCVs) and forest mosaics—verified annually through PEFC forest management audits
  • Support for biodiversity research, institutions and government-led conservation initiatives

Biodiversity and ecosystems are material topics for Bracell across all regions where we operate. Our operations maintain structured management systems based on corporate policies, programs and operational practices designed to protect and restore natural resources

Our approach includes:

  • Preserving and restoring forests
  • Protecting animal and plant species
  • Preventing forest fires
  • Zero deforestation
  • Practices aligned with internationally recognized forest management standards and certifications, all integrated into our Integrated Management System.

We operate across three biomes—Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest—with tailored conservation strategies to protect native vegetation and biodiversity. Related guidelines are formalized in Bracell’s Sustainability Policy, which guides decision-making and reinforces our commitment to ecosystem protection as a core component of our business model.

Bracell uses integrated management practices that both protect biodiversity and support climate objectives, reducing trade-offs between environmental priorities. Key actions include:

  • Plantations established exclusively on previously disturbed land, contributing to carbon removal through tree growth and soil conservation practices
  • Forest mosaics that intersperse eucalyptus plantations with protected native vegetation areas, enhancing wildlife connectivity and ecosystem services
  • Minimum tillage practices that reduce soil disturbance and associated emissions
  • Retaining post-harvest residues to reduce fertilizer use, maintain soil carbon and increase organic matter
  • Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM), prioritizing biological control and reducing reliance on chemical inputs
  • Conservation of protected areas and legal reserves, with no operations in sensitive areas
  • Use of the Brazilian government’s Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) and geospatial systems to align operations with the Brazilian Forest Code and other applicable regulations
  • Allocation of more than 30% of land to preservation and conservation, contributing to carbon storage and biodiversity maintenance
  • Land use planning on our farms follows criteria established by Brazil’s Forest Code (Law No. 12.651/2012)
  • Our Degraded Area Restoration Program aims to reestablish native vegetation in affected areas.

Bracell takes an integrated approach to ensure that biodiversity management programs generate tangible benefits for ecosystems and stakeholders. This includes:

  • Applying prior environmental impact assessments and deploying appropriate technology to prevent impacts
  • Creating and conserving protected areas, helping to preserve ecosystem services essential to local communities
  • Implementing offsets such as habitat restoration when impacts cannot be avoided
  • Continuous environmental monitoring programs, ensuring long-term assessment of fauna, flora, water resources and forest dynamics
  • Transparency and collaboration with the scientific community, including data sharing and support for research
  • Preventive action to ensure that no significant impacts occur on biodiversity, building the trust of communities, environmental agencies, and partners.

Currently, Bracell has approximately 569 hectares under restoration in São Paulo and we maintain a continuous restoration program in Bahia covering 3,000 hectares. We are also a member of the Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact and have restored 30 hectares in collaboration with SOS Mata Atlântica.

Bracell is also a member of the Restoration Pact and has restored 30 hectares in partnership with SOS Mata Atlântica. In Bahia, we maintain four Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs) that are critical to biodiversity conservation in the state’s northern coastal region, and we manage four wildlife release areas certified by the state environmental regulator, INEMA, where animals rehabilitated by the national environmental regulator’s (IABAMA)  Wildlife Screening Center (CETAS-BA) are reintroduced into the wild.

Ecological restoration guide

We launched an illustrated guide with practical tips on how to restore degraded areas and promote ecological restoration in São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, developed in partnership with Casa da Floresta.

You can download the guide on the Bracell website.

Ecological Restoration Guide – São Paulo

Ecological Restoration Guide – Mato Grosso do Sul

Areas protected or restored
Area Status Region Size (km2) Status
RPPN Lontra Protected Bahia 13,77 Under long-term monitoring
Falcão Protected Bahia 9,424 Under long-term monitoring
Lua Alta Protected Bahia 6,094 Under long-term monitoring
Pedra do São José II Protected Bahia 2,322 Under long-term monitoring
São José 2 Restored Bahia 0,013 In progress
Pedra do Sobrado 1 Restored Bahia 0,004 In progress
Pedra do Sobrado 2 Restored Bahia 0,003 In progress
Machado Restored Bahia 0,016 In progress
Pedra Furada Restored Bahia 0,074 In progress
Sergipe Restored Bahia 0,005 In progress
Saudade Restored Bahia 0,018 In progress
São José 1 Restored Bahia 0,01 In progress
Baixa da Raposa 1 Restored Bahia 0,03 In progress
Baixa da Raposa 2 Restored Bahia 0,001 In progress
Águas Claras Restored Bahia 0,02 In progress
Piranji Restored Bahia 0,1 In progress
Lagoa de Baixo Restored Bahia 0,012 In progress
Lontra Restored Bahia 0,002 In progress
Anjinho Restored Bahia 0,048 In progress
Santo André Restored Bahia 0,001 In progress
Agropastoril Restored Bahia 0,007 In progress
Pedra do Sobrado 3 Restored Bahia 0,006 In progress
São José 5 (Coração de Leão) Restored Bahia 0,021 In progress
Total – Bahia 32,001
Casa da Rocha Restored São Paulo 0,24 In progress
Nova América II Restored São Paulo 0,001 In progress
Recreio Restored São Paulo 0,335 In progress
Santa Izabel Restored São Paulo 0,02 In progress
São Benedito IV Restored São Paulo 0,24 In progress
Sossego II Restored São Paulo 0,52 In progress
Paraíso VII Restored São Paulo 0,16 In progress
Santa Mariana II Restored São Paulo 0,0001 In progress
Nova América II Restored São Paulo 0,29 In progress
Córrego do Campo Restored São Paulo 0,23 In progress
Monte Líbano I Restored São Paulo 1,09 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Monte Líbano II Restored São Paulo 0,35 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Santa Izabel Restored São Paulo 0,01 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Dona Lourdes Restored São Paulo 0,01 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Mamedina Restored São Paulo 0,03 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
São Luiz V Vera Cruz Restored São Paulo 0,24 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Arataba Restored São Paulo 0,05 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Regina Restored São Paulo 0,03 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
São Benedito IV Restored São Paulo 0,02 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Selva Restored São Paulo 0,04 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Corvo Branco Restored São Paulo 0,004 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Revolta Restored São Paulo 0,04 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Santa Branca Restored São Paulo 0,01 Under ongoing long-term monitoring
Santa Amélia Under restoration São Paulo 0,13 In progress
Santo Antônio IX Under restoration São Paulo 0,02 In progress
Santa Hercídia Under restoration São Paulo 0,0007 In progress
São Manoel IV Under restoration São Paulo 0,08 In progress
São Francisco III Under restoration São Paulo 0,022 In progress
Santa Mônica Under restoration São Paulo 0,001 In progress
Limeira Under restoration São Paulo 0,4 In progress
Planalto Under restoration São Paulo 0,09 In progress
Regina Under restoration São Paulo 0,37 In progress
Jatobá III Under restoration São Paulo 0,013 In progress
SOF Under restoration São Paulo 0,11 In progress
Mamedina Under restoration São Paulo 0,08 In progress
Shangrilá Under restoration São Paulo 0,046 In progress
Total – São Paulo 5,323

 

Partner-protected or restored areas
Area Status Region Size (km2) Status Status
Projeto Riacho Mole SOS Mata Atlântica Restored Bahia 0,3 In progress
Projeto Riacho Mole SOS Mata Atlântica Restored Bahia 0,2 In progress
Santa Rita II, Santa Cruz and Nova América II SOS Mata Atlântica Restored São Paulo 0,308 In progress
Shangrilá Bracell and Jardim Botânico Restored São Paulo 0,061 In progress