SASB Water Management

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RR-PP-140a.1: (1) Total water withdrawn and (2) total water consumed, percentage of each in regions with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress.

Bracell continuously addresses climate zoning studies, based on the analysis of historical climate data such as precipitation indexes, temperature and latitude. Data analysis also identifies the most suitable areas for planting eucalyptus and also support technical recommendations  such as clone allocation and fertilization use.

Withdrawal
Surface water (m³)
Operation 2021 2022 (1) 2023
Bahia 29,456.00 4,811.00 64,927.00
São Paulo 13,275,929.24 48,436,589.17 52,474,268.60
Bracell 13,305,385.24 48,441,400.17 52,539,195.60
Groundwater (m³)
Operation 2021 2022 2023
Bahia 15,431,917.30 15,997,357.83 16,613,292.62
São Paulo 7,466,921.06 6,925,779.91 4,898,803.24
Bracell 22,898,838.36 22,923,137.74 21,512,095.86
Total water withdrawal (m³)
Operation 2021 2022 2023
Bahia 15,461,373.30 16,002,168.83 16,678,219.87
São Paulo 20,742,850.30 55,362,369.08 57,373,071.84
Bracell 36,204,223.60 71,364,537.91 74,051,291.71

Notes about the 2023 data:

  1. Surface water withdrawal volumes in our Forestry operations in São Paulo (457,789.24 m3) include withdrawals from 248 points under permits for use in forestry management.
  2. Includes withdrawals from a well at the Lençóis Paulista (SP) site, used for irrigating seedlings at an on-site nursery (555,240.00 m3), and water withdrawals for human consumption (1,117.06 m3).
  3. All water withdrawals described for our forestry operations were measured directly at surface withdrawal points. Withdrawal volumes are recorded in an internal database that is managed in accordance with applicable regulations, covering all operational fronts.
  4. In Bahia, Bracell has 37 surface withdrawal points covered by permits awarded by the relevant environmental authority. These points are distributed along six different rivers throughout our forestry operations: Pojuca, Subaúma, Itariri, Inhambupe, Sauípe and Imbassaí. Withdrawal points are periodically monitored in accordance with license requirements. The environmental monitoring network in our forestry operations comprises 24 stations for monitoring surface (river) water quality, 8 stations for monitoring groundwater quality (artesian wells), 13 fixed stations for analyzing water potability (fitness for human consumption), 5 mobile stations for analyzing water potability (fitness for human consumption) at operations fronts, 37 flow metering stations at permitted surface water withdrawal points along rivers, 2 stations at locations where effluents are discharged from seedling nurseries, 1 station where effluents are discharged from a water and oil separator, and 15 stations where effluents are discharged from septic tanks.
  5. In our operations in Bahia, our total water consumption/withdrawals of 16,678,219.87 m³ include 939,389.25 m³ consumed in forestry operations.
  6. For additional data on withdrawals, consumption and discharge, see GRI 304.

RR-PP-140a.2: Discussion of water management risks and description of strategies and practices to mitigate those risks.

Bracell operates mills in the Camaçari Industrial Park in Bahia and the Lençóis Paulista Industrial Park in São Paulo. The forestry operations supplying pulpwood to our mills are located in the states of São Paulo, Bahia, Sergipe, Minas Gerais and Goiás. Water withdrawals are measured and potential risks and impacts are monitored within Bracell’s Integrated Management System, in accordance with applicable regulations (learn more in GRI 3-3 Management of the material topic Water and effluents and GRI 303).

Water and effluents are a material topic for our business, and this is reflected in our Bracell 2030 commitments and targets. Among these targets, we have committed to reduce water consumption per metric ton of product by 47%.

Water and effluents are managed within a Water Resource Monitoring Program that is governed by requirements in our Sustainability Policy. Through this program, we implement measures to monitor and continuously improve water resource efficiency.