This tenth edition includes the performance of our operations 1, in Brazil and Argentina, between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 (2020/2021 crop year). It also covers advances in internal environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, assumed in line with 16 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). |GRI 102-45, 102-50|
The document was prepared in accordance with the Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) - Core option and for the first time includes the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) indicators. |GRI 102-54|
All information disclosed was verified by an internal and multidisciplinary working group, with approval from Senior Management, and was subsequently submitted for external assurance by Ernst & Young. |GRI 102-32, 102-56|
Questions pertaining to this publication can be submitted by email (speak@raizen.com) or telephone (0800 728 1616). |GRI 102-53|
Enjoy your reading!
1 Raízen Energia S.A. and its subsidiaries and Raízen Combustíveis S.A. and its subsidiaries.
Discussing priorities |GRI 102-46, 102-47|
An important part of our 10-year history is our active consultation with stakeholders through the materiality process, which consists of a survey of the most relevant topics for our business and stakeholders, based on the impacts—both positive and negative—caused by our operations.
The process includes analysis of internal and external documents, engagement of senior management, and consultations with our stakeholders, which are accessed through interviews (prioritized whenever possible) or questionnaires. We mapped our stakeholders through our main communication channels, Ombudsman's Office, Digital Social Networks, Consumer Services (SAC), and others. The diversity of stakeholder categories consulted enriches the process, resulting in a variety of topics that reflect the different perspectives of our business model. |GRI 102-42, 102-43|
These topics are plotted in a Materiality Matrix that allows us to identify those that are most relevant, taking into account our industry sectors and the context in which we operate. These topics are also included in our Strategic Sustainability Plan, which defines goals and actions for each aspect identified.
Our 2019 Materiality Matrix was periodically revised and considered public documents from more than 30 companies, including customers and financial institutions, in order to map sustainability trends for these audiences. In this phase, qualitative interviews were conducted with investment specialists in the sectors in which we operate. In a second stage, the topics identified were compared with the reality of each business to identify strengths and possible gaps in sustainability practices. Twelve departments and 18 areas were involved in this process. |GRI 102-40|
In 2020, we expanded our consultation process in an effort that began with the analysis of policies, strategic directives, communication materials, certifications and other internal documents, as well as sector studies, releases, publications in the media, ratings questionnaires, and market indexes. Subsequently, more than 240 consultations were conducted with customers and partners, public authorities, competitors, communities, investors, employees, and members of senior management. |GRI 102-40, 102-43|
Materiality process
Phase 1. Identification: Analysis of internal and external documents to select potential topics for consultation.
Phase 2. Prioritization: Assessment of stakeholder perceptions to prioritize the topics.
Phase 3. Analysis: Weighting of topics to classify them by relevance.
Phase 4. Validation: Recognition of the results by Senior Management.
At the end of the process, seven material topics had been identified, for which short- and medium-term action plans, long-term ambitions, and goals to be strategically structured and cascaded over the next harvests are being defined and/or updated by the main interfacing teams. The topics are: |GRI 102-44|
- Climate change and energy transition
- Management of health, safety, and environment
- Governance, ethics, and compliance
- Innovation, development, and circular economy
- Community relations
- Human rights, diversity, and inclusion
- Economic-financial performance and business expansion
Our long-term strategy also includes nine public commitments made in line with the 16 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and correlated with each material topic. It is a set of practices that has always been part of our daily lives—doing more with less, reducing environmental impacts, valuing the quality of life of our team, generating positive social impacts, and guaranteeing a circular economy—and it has gained even more relevance in the “Decade of Action,” a name given by the UN to express the approaching deadline for reaching the global commitments of the Sustainable Development Agenda. See more here.
Publicly assumed ESG commitments 2 |GRI 102-12|
- Reduce the carbon footprint of ethanol and sugar by 10%
- Reduce water withdrawal from external sources by 10%
- Increase the GJ/ha indicator by 15% (greater efficiency and more energy from the same area)
- Guarantee a robust system for traceability of 100% of the volume of sugarcane crushed
- Guarantee internationally recognized sustainability programs for sugarcane sources
- Maintain all units in operation certified by an internationally recognized standard
- Make progress with respect to human rights in our operations and in our supply chain
- Actively influence our strategic partners to eliminate the risk of violating our ethics and compliance values
- 100% of neighboring communities 3supported by the Raízen Foundation
- Having 30% of leadership positions held by women, from management on up, by 2025
2 The baseline for the commitments is the 2018/2019 harvest.
3 Commitment applicable to neighboring communities capable of receiving the model.
Strategic sustainability plan - priority topics
Topic |GRI 102-44|
Climate change and energy transition
Ambition and scope |103-1|
Our ambition is to lead the energy transition by providing the energy society needs today while developing new forms of energy for the future, contributing to a low-carbon economy. In addition to our strategy for mitigating the effects of climate change, this topic includes both how we monitor our air emissions and energy consumption and how we support our customers in reducing their carbon footprint.
Publicly assumed ESG commitments* |GRI 102-12|
1) Reduce the carbon footprint of ethanol and sugar by 10%
Associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
7, 9, 11, 12, 13
Associated GRI indicators
201-2, 302-1, 302-2, 302-3, 305-1, 305-2, 305-3, 305-4, 305-7
Associated SASB indicators
RR-BI-120a.1, EM-MD-110a.1, EM-MD-110a.2, FB-AG-110a.1, FB-AG-110a.2, FB-AG-130a.1, EM-RM-110a.1, EM-RM-110a.2, FB-AG-440a
Topic |GRI 102-44|
Management of health, safety, and environment
Ambition and scope |103-1|
We want to be recognized for efficiency in water management and excellence in land use management as the leading example in the sectors in which we operate. This topic covers policies and practices related to risk management, health, safety, and the environment (such as water, biodiversity, waste, and workplace accidents), considering the specifics of each business. It also includes issues related to the integrity of operations and cybersecurity.
Publicly assumed ESG commitments* |GRI 102-12|
2) Reduce water withdrawal from external sources by 10%
3) Increase the GJ/ha indicator by 15%
6) Maintain all units in operation certified by an internationally recognized standard
Associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
3, 6, 11, 12, 15
Associated GRI indicators
303-1, 303-2, 303-3, 303-4, 303-5, 304-1, 304-2, 304-3, 304-4, 306-3, 306-4, 306-5, 403-1, 403-2, 403-3, 403-4, 403-5, 403-6, 403-7, 403-8, 403-9, 403-10
Associated SASB indicators
EM-MD-160a.1, EM-MD-160a.4, RR-BI-140a.2, RR-BI-430a.1, FB-AG-140a.2, FB-AG-430a.3, EM-MD-540a.4, EM-RM-320a.2, EM-RM-540a.1, EM-RM-540a.2, EM-RM-540a.3, FB-AG-140a.1, RR-BI-140a.1, FB-AG-140a.1, RR-BI-140a.1
Topic |GRI 102-44|
Governance, ethics, and compliance
Ambition and scope |103-1|
In selecting our raw material, we use social and environmental criteria in an effort to ensure the traceability of 100% of the sugarcane we crush, both our own and third-party sugarcane. We also dedicate efforts to a robust ethics and compliance program, so it becomes a reference in the segments in which we operate and synonymous with good governance practices in the market in general. This topic also involves dissemination of internal policies and principles of conduct, as well as the fight against different forms of corruption, unfair competition, and other practices that we repudiate.
Publicly assumed ESG commitments* |GRI 102-12|
4) Guarantee a robust system for traceability of 100% of the volume of sugarcane crushed
8) Actively influence our strategic partners to eliminate the risk of violating our ethics and compliance values
Associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
2, 5, 8, 12, 16
Associated GRI indicators
102-17, 102-18, 102-20, 102-23, 102-25, 102-32, 102-35, 102-36, 102-37, 205-1, 205-2, 205-3, 206-1, 307-1, 308-1, 308-2, 414-1, 414-2, 415-1, 419-1
Associated SASB indicators
EM-MD-160a.1, EM-MD-160a.4, RR-BI-140a.2, RR-BI-430a.1, FB-AG-140a.2, FB-AG-430a.3, EM-MD-540a.4, EM-RM-320a.2, EM-RM-540a.1, EM-RM-540a.2, EM-RM-540a.3, FB-AG-140a.1, RR-BI-140a.1, FB-AG-140a.1, RR-BI-140a.1
Topic |GRI 102-44|
Innovation, development, and circular economy
Ambition and scope |103-1|
The search for incremental or disruptive innovation is part of the daily routine of our team: do things now, with an eye on the future. This topic addresses issues related to energy efficiency and the maximum use of our raw material and natural resources, as well as investments in new technologies to improve processes, research and development of products and services, anticipation of market trends, and a continuous search for circularity in our supply chain and business.
Publicly assumed ESG commitments* |GRI 102-12|
1) Reduce the carbon footprint of ethanol and sugar by 10%
2) Reduce water withdrawal from external sources by 10%
3) Increase the GJ/ha indicator by 15%
Associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
6, 9, 12
Associated GRI indicators
Not applicable
Associated SASB indicators
Not applicable
Topic |GRI 102-44|
Community relations
Ambition and scope |103-1|
Our intention is to enhance socioeconomic development in the areas surrounding our operations by integrating them with our business strategies; to become a reference in positive social impact in the sectors in which we operate by offering meaningful experiences for employees and communities; to drive a supportive network; to mobilize public and private resources in a planned, monitored, and systematic manner; and to promote social transformation and business generation across the value chain. This topic addresses our Social Performance Strategy and the actions taken by the Raízen Foundation for the development of independent children and adolescents, players, and citizens.Publicly assumed ESG commitments* |GRI 102-12|
9) 100% of neighboring communities** supported by the Raízen Foundation
Associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
1, 3, 4, 11, 12, 16, 17
Associated GRI indicators
202-1, 202-2, 203-1, 203-2, 204-1, 411-1, 413-1, 413-2
Associated SASB indicators
Not applicable
Topic |GRI 102-44|
Human rights, diversity, and inclusion
Ambition and scope |103-1|
We aspire to mobilize our value chain in eliminating the risks of human rights violations and in promoting equality and respect for individuality. This topic covers the mitigation of risks related to harassment, discrimination, and slave, degrading, or child labor—both on and off our team. It also includes matters related to union and individual freedoms.
Publicly assumed ESG commitments* |GRI 102-12|
5) Guarantee internationally recognized sustainability programs for sugarcane sources
7) Make progress with respect to human rights in our operations and in our supply chain
10) Having 30% of leadership positions held by women, from management on up, by 2025
Associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
1, 5, 8, 10, 16
Associated GRI indicators
401-3, 405-1, 406-1, 407-1, 408-1, 409-1, 412-1, 412-2
Associated SASB indicators
Not applicable
Topic |GRI 102-44|
Economic-financial performance and business expansion
Ambition and scope |103-1|
This covers excellence in economic and financial management, business expansion strategy, and discipline in capital allocation, combined with the implementation of ESG criteria in the decision-making process. No commitments are directly associated, since this is a cross-cutting topic that guides the execution of the others; we have always treated the EESG concept, with the addition of Economics, as our fourth sustainability pillar and value creation mechanism for the future.
Publicly assumed ESG commitments* |GRI 102-12|
Not applicable.
Associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
7, 8, 9, 12, 16, 17
Associated GRI indicators
201-1
Associated SASB indicators
Not applicable
* The baseline for the commitments is the 2018/2019 harvest.** Commitment applicable to neighboring communities capable of receiving the model.