GFI Brazil and the JBS Fund for the Amazon unveil at COP27 a research project aimed at developing plant-based food products using native Amazonian species.

Liège Correia took part in the "Low Carbon Strategies" panel organized by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), where the focus was on the adoption of programs and technologies essential for progressing in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. As the Sustainability Director at JBS Brazil, Liège Correia highlighted that the agricultural sector's biggest hurdle in achieving climate neutrality is Scope 3 emissions. These emissions are not directly controlled by an organization and include supply chain, transportation, product use, or disposal. For the food sector, agricultural suppliers represent a significant portion of this category. Correia emphasized the importance of collaborating with rural producers, acknowledging that many of them are families reliant on farming for their livelihood. "We support over 70,000 suppliers, yet Brazil is home to 6.5 million rural properties. It's crucial to not only focus on our suppliers but also on others who need assistance to progress in decarbonization," she stated. Correia mentioned that imposing conditions on these producers is not enough; it's about partnering with them through this transition by providing technology, access to credit, and technical support. Over two years, JBS has established 20 Green Offices aimed at not only regularizing properties but also sharing more efficient and sustainable production techniques. So far, over 19,000 farms have been assisted, with more than 7,000 making progress in their socio-environmental regularization processes, leading to the restoration of over 2,000 hectares of forest. Another initiative to reduce Scope 3 emissions mentioned by Correia is lowering the age at which animals are slaughtered, as reducing the time animals spend in the field decreases emissions. She also highlighted JBS's exploration of feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions, produced by the digestive system of ruminant livestock. In collaboration with the Institute of Animal Science of the São Paulo State Agriculture Department, JBS investigated the potential of a mix of tannins and saponins, finding it can reduce these methane emissions by up to 17% in confined beef cattle. Correia shared these insights during the "Low Carbon Strategies" panel at the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), discussing the implementation of necessary programs and technologies to advance greenhouse gas emission reductions, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. Despite skepticism towards the 2050 decarbonization targets, Correia noted, "We are currently experiencing climate changes. Thus, it's no longer about plans or projects but reality." In this vein, JBS is undertaking tangible efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2040, including covering waste lagoons. In Brazil, capturing methane at nine Friboi units through effluent treatment systems has enabled the extraction of over 80,000 cubic meters of biogas daily, accounting for 65% of Friboi's Scope 1 and 26% of the company's Scope 1 emissions nationwide. Globally, JBS has invested over R$ 220 million in biogas capture projects for energy generation across 14 factories in the United States and Canada. Additionally, the expansion of the company's electric truck fleet was highlighted as a step towards Net Zero. Launched in 2022, No Carbon, a JBS New Businesses company, now operates 260 electric refrigerated trucks for urban product distribution across various regions. Correia pointed out the challenge of battery disposal, emphasizing the need for clean energy sources and responsible disposal methods. Correia argued for a pre-competitive agenda in the agricultural sector to further decarbonization efforts. "We've reached a point where science needs more resources and investments for us to advance in emission reductions. We're testing everything possible and investing in scalability in Scopes 1 and 2, which are in-house, as well as in Scope 3, supporting rural producers," she said. In conclusion, she encouraged attendees to explore the COP pavilions to gain inspiration and bring new technologies and ideas back to Brazil. "More than just presenting, we should seize this conference as an opportunity to listen. Listening to other cultures and perspectives opens us up to participate in discussions, fostering growth through divergence, and thus bringing new technologies and learnings back to Brazil," she affirmed.