GRI 413-1 Operations with local community engagement, impact assessments, and development programs
Across our operations, we conduct stakeholder engagement activities, impact assessments, and development programs aimed at the local communities surrounding our operations (learn more in the section Bracell Social in GRI 203). To ensure these efforts are effective, we identify the primary impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with our operations to determine the relevance of each sustainability topic for the business, including indigenous lands (learn more in GRI 411-1).
Risk mapping, monitoring and management is undertaken throughout the pre-operation, operation, and post-operation stages to manage social and environmental risks and prevent and mitigate impacts (see GRI 403-2).
Community relationship building and engagement practices |
|
Committees | Community associations are commonplace in the region where we operate in Bahia. Bracell has established committees and other permanent channels to help cultivate good relationships with associations and engage closely with community leaders in each region. We also support public institutions such as the Civil and Military Police, Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Judiciary, and other governmental agencies. |
Community Surveys | We conduct on-site visits to survey the communities neighboring our operations. These surveys identify resident families, community leaders, and the key needs and aspirations of each community. We also assess existing infrastructure, potential impacts from our operations, as well as the presence of traditional communities, indigenous peoples, or Areas of High Social and/or Cultural Heritage Value. |
Impact Zoning Map | These surveys map out our plantation, protected and development areas. Communities situated within these zones are categorized according to their level of influence on our operations and projects. We also identify any traditional communities, including quilombola and indigenous settlements. |
Stakeholder Mapping and Matrix | Community Survey data is used to build a matrix indicating the municipality in which each stakeholder is located, the organizations representing them, their stance towards the company, contact details, level of influence, profile, interests, among other pertinent information. |
Community meetings | We convene gatherings to keep stakeholders abreast of Bracell’s forestry management operations, including planting, harvesting, haulage, and other operations near communities. During these sessions, we address inquiries, document grievances, and identify communities’ primary needs. We also provide informational materials about the company and available communication channels. These discussions also extend to indigenous communities (learn more in GRI 411-1). |
Operational Dialogue in São Paulo and Bahia | Bracell holds “operational dialogues” and monitors operational impacts directly with neighbors and communities near our eucalyptus pulpwood plantations in São Paulo, including indigenous communities. Neighbors are consulted individually, and communities, including indigenous communities, are consulted collectively. In Bahia, we hold meetings with communities to share information about planting, harvesting, haulage, and other activities in the region. During these discussions, representatives have the opportunity to ask questions, lodge complaints, identify community needs, and identify points of special interest and attention in each location. |
Production and distribution of informational material | We advertise our “Contact Us” channel in our “operational dialogue” kit, which includes informational brochures about the forestry cycle, videos with information about eucalyptus cultivation, forest fire campaign materials, copies of the company’s Public Forestry Management Brief, as well as keychains and caps. |