BP Bunge improves sustainable practices in its operations

BP Bunge Bioenergia has been consolidating its commitment to a future of clean energy and more sustainable production processes. In the 2021/2022 harvest, it expanded its actions related to sustainability and the environment, maintaining discipline in cost management and the company’s cash flow.

This evolution is shown in the Sustainability Report, recently released by the company and prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). For the first time, the results were submitted to external verification by BVQI – Bureau Veritas, which performs conformity assessment and certification services in the areas of Quality, Occupational Health and Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility.

One of the highlights of the Sustainability Report is the first inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which helps guide the achievement of the company’s goal of reducing emissions from ethanol production by 10% by 2030 and directing actions that minimize the environmental footprint. As a methodology for the accounting and quantification of emissions, the company adhered to the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program (PBGHGP).

“Sustainability has been a cross-cutting issue in the company’s activities since its inception,” says Mario Lindenhayn, CEO and Board of Directors of BP Bunge Bioenergia. “We continually improve our operations for the lowest possible environmental impact, through best practices and cutting-edge technology, fostering the local development of communities and focusing on the energy transition”.

To reinforce its positioning, in 2022 BP Bunge Bioenergia joined the UN Global Compact, whose objective is to stimulate a more sustainable global market. In addition, the company created a permanent multidisciplinary Sustainability Committee to manage activities and initiatives related to this topic.

Advances in the “Our Commitments 2030” agenda – which sets goals in the People, Planet, Governance Principles and Prosperity pillars – are also part of the report. Presented by BP Bunge in 2021, in line with the company’s strategy and in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the commitments are related to climate change, energy efficiency, biodiversity, human capital and economic development.

Indicators for the 2021/2022 harvest already reflect this evolutionary process. In the last cycle, the percentage of waste generated that was reused and/or recycled was around 86%. The total waste fell by 22% compared to the previous harvest.

In biodiversity management, for example, 365 thousand native seedlings were planted in Permanent Preservation Areas and Legal Reserves, a volume 45% higher compared to 2019/2020. By 2030, 2.3 million native seedlings will be planted.

Present in five Brazilian states, the company’s 11 agro-industrial units do not use fire and do not carry out deforestation. Sugarcane harvesting, by the way, is 100% mechanized. In addition, to control risks and minimize environmental impacts, BP Bunge Bioenergia has a fire prevention and fighting program, which will receive investments of R$ 30 million by 2024.

The company expanded the use of technology, from prevention to combat. In detection, it has a satellite monitoring system and, more recently, high-definition cameras, already in operation at the Pedro Afonso (TO), Itumbiara (GO) and Ituiutaba (MG) units and which will be extended until the end of of the year for Moema (SP) and Guariroba (SP). In 2024, all units will have a camera detection system.

Another positive fact is the 4% reduction in the volume of water collected per ton of crushed sugarcane, thanks to the reuse of water in the various stages of industrial and agricultural operations. In the industrial process, reuse occurs in items such as washing sugarcane, scrubber mechanisms, boilers and cooling. In agriculture, the use of wastewater and vinasse in the fertigation process also means that there is less need for capture in water courses for irrigation purposes.

To consult the Sustainability Report click here.