Bracell sets aside more than 35% of its forestry land for preserving native vegetation. Protected area proportions are consistent with requirements under the Brazilian Forest Code (Law 12,651/2012). Land disturbed prior to July 2008 is covered by rehabilitation plans.

Since 2015, Bracell has maintained a Disturbed Land Rehabilitation Program in Bahia, using a methodology approved by the state environmental authority, INEMA. Native vegetation areas are restored by planting seedlings, improving soil quality and preventing erosion.

In Bahia, Bracell uses a three-stage rehabilitation approach:

• Assessment: technicians visit the area to be rehabilitated to survey the soil and existing native vegetation in the direct and indirect area of influence; determine the most suitable rehabilitation methods; and plan restoration activities;
• Execution: rehabilitation activities may include re-contouring, placement of containment stakes or bagged soil for slope stabilization, tillage, placement of organic material, removal of dead branches, installation of perches, fertilization, ant control and planting native species (using 4 x 4, nucleation or enrichment planting techniques); and
• Maintenance and monitoring: over the course of three years, rehabilitated areas are monitored and actions are implemented to enhance the development of the newly established vegetation, such as pruning, ant control, and enrichment planting.

In 2023, more than 60 hectares underwent active restoration, and more than 450 hectares were controlled for exotic invasive species in our Bahia forestry operations. In 2024, we plan to implement robust strategies for restoring organic soil horizons, develop partnerships to enhance forest rehabilitation outcomes, and create more effective methods for monitoring natural regeneration.

In our São Paulo operations, Bracell’s Disturbed Land Rehabilitation Program restored 188 ha in 2023. Program progress is tracked via reports that, where applicable, are submitted to the environmental authorities. Our target for 2024 is to restore an additional 393 ha in protected areas.

A Bracell initiative in partnership with Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica—a Brazilian environmental foundation—planted trees from the Atlantic Forest biome in land of the company’s partners in the towns of Botucatu, Agudos and Piratininga. Through the Foundation’s Forests of the Future Program, Bracell began restoring riparian forests, thereby helping safeguard the water resources flowing out of springs in the areas covered. The endeavor began in 2022 and the planting phase was completed in 2023.

A total of 61,975 seedlings were planted in the municipality of Botucatu, 10,025 in Agudos and 5,000 in Piratininga, totaling 77,000 Atlantic Forest trees planted. This forest is the most ravaged biome in Brazil and considered one of the 10 flagship ecosystems for forest restoration in the world by the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Environmental monitoring

All information on land use on Bracell properties is geo-referenced, including protected areas, legal reserves and other areas of native vegetation set aside for conservation. Information about eucalyptus plantations, infrastructure and water resources, as well as on areas of significant cultural and social value, is included in the georeferenced data.

Forest areas are monitored using satellite imagery and drones to assess the development of planted forests and identify any incidents such as deforestation or fires. The monitoring system detects the geometry of the properties, performs detailed 3D inventories which reveal possible plantation gaps, maps areas that are hard to access, and identifies potential risks and impacts requiring immediate action.

We also have a Biodiversity Monitoring Program for managing information on identified species, trophic levels and degree of conservation in the areas where we operate. Periodically, specialized teams monitor the fauna and flora in fragments of Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga vegetation. This data informs the selection of optimal forest management practices that help to augment the positive effects of reforestation initiatives and minimize negative impacts related to our forestry operations.

Fire prevention and response

One of the most significant risks in our protected areas is forest fires. To mitigate this risk, we create and maintain fire breaks, donate firefighting equipment to local communities, install warning signs and organize fire response workshops for neighbors and members of local communities.

Bracell’s Fire Prevention and Response department has been created with a mission to preserve the environment, the well-being of people and the planet, and the sustainability and competitiveness of the business. Bracell has 37 fire monitoring towers equipped with high-resolution cameras covering 85% of our properties in São Paulo and 61% in Bahia, including both planted forests and protected areas.

Fire responders are divided into two groups: a Rapid Response Group (RRG) and an Identification and Containment Group (ICG). At the beginning of the dry season each year, we publish maps showing water withdrawal locations that are accessible to light and heavy fire trucks. Water withdrawal locations are strategically located to optimize refilling time and the fire response. During the dry season, internal and external fire breaks are kept especially clean, particularly those surrounding critical areas.

We have also signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Bahia State Environment Department (SEMA) and the State Water Resource Institute (INEMA) to plan and implement forest fire prevention and reduction initiatives.

In 2023, the amount of area affected by forest fires increased compared to 2022, primarily as a result of adverse weather. During the year there was a significant number of days with temperatures higher than 30°C, wind speeds higher than 30 km/h, and relative humidity lower than 30%—a combination often referred to as the ”triple 30” factor. Although the number of incidents did not increase significantly, the fires spread faster and affected a larger area. None of the forest fires started as a result of Bracell’s operations. All fires were either arson, naturally caused or the result of unsafe practices by third parties.

In 2023, 352 fire spots were registered. The impacted areas of native vegetation are now part of the Degraded Areas Recovery Program

Learn more about our initiatives and commitments to protect biodiversity and habitats in the areas where we operate in GRI 3-3.