Index

Board of Directors / Social Investments

Foundations and Institutes

Economic Development

Health

Education, Training e Professional Capability

Environment

Culture

Community Support

Sports, Integration and Recreation

Volunteer Work

Sector Partners / Companies Outline

files in pdf

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The challenge of the century is to grow in a sustainable way. If, in the beginning, the concept of sustainability was understood only as an environmental issue concern, time and experiences have confirmed its comprehensiveness. It is increasingly evident that every company needs a business strategy that integrates environmental practices, fair labor relations and effective social actions. Without the integration of such attitudes and values, it will not be possible for us to manage our businesses with responsibility, in tune with new times.

This third edition of the Pulp and Paper Industry Socioenvironmental Responsibility report, published by the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association – Bracelpa, reflects the increasing commitment of the industry to sustainable development. Under such approach, our companies not only plan and develop their activities focused on financial and productive results, but they carefully consider their contribution to the society in which they are inserted. We are conscious that intangible assets such as environmental respect and social responsibility are also a deciding factor in the quality and level of investments.

Our companies demonstrate that they face the challenge with determination. In addition to generating 110 thousand direct jobs and thousands of indirect ones, the sector has a history of social actions for employees and communities. In a pioneering attitude within the country’s productive segments, our industrial units cooperate to enhance the infrastructure of the municipalities in which they operate, and provide employees and communities with better labor conditions and development opportunities. Not to mention the environmental investments, including the preservation and maintenance of 2.6 million hectares of native forests, compared to 1.7 million hectares of planted forests. As much important as the actions that aim at assuring the sustainability of the forest-based production are the environmental protection procedures widely adopted by the companies in the sector, highlighting the reuse of water and the treatment of liquid waste.

This edition of the Pulp and Paper Industry Socioenvironmental Responsibility report features 544 actions, carried out by the companies themselves or in partnership with different agents. They serve demands in health, economical development, professional qualification, education, sports and culture, community support, among others.

During the process of surveying projects and programs developed by companies that account for 80 percent of the pulp and paper commercial production, Bracelpa could notice increasing numbers in socioenvironmental actions and investments. In 2005, the activities here reported, focusing life quality improvement, environmental care and socio-economic development, involved over 2.5 million people and reached investments of as much as R$ 322 million, an increase of 39 percent and 86 percent, respectively, over the numbers registered in 2004.

We should also highlight the spirit of cooperation and solidarity demonstrated by the sector’s employees in volunteer activities. In 2005, over 3,600 employees took part in social transformation efforts encouraged by the initiatives of our companies. We would like to mention, as well, the sector’s action through partnerships with 61 environmental institutions and organizations.

Bracelpa, as the national and international representative of the Brazilian pulp and paper industry, is honored to present this work to readers in Brazil and abroad. Thanks to the determined cooperation of the associated companies, that made available such large volume of information, we present a scenario of the sector’s contribution to the sustainability of the country’s development. With this initiative, we intend to help propagate such an important aspect of our performance, and to disseminate concrete examples of socioenvironmental practices.

Horacio Lafer Piva