On August 3, Fundo Vale brought together stakeholders (businesses and partners) working on Vale’s 2030 Forest Goal for a round of talks. The first Forest Goal Meeting of 2023, called “Best Practices in Social and Environmental Safeguards,” allowed those present to share experiences, strengthen knowledge and seek continuous improvement in the initiative. 

The event had 70 participants and four panelists: Rosa Paes of the Vale Institute of Technology, Renê Medrado of law firm Pinheiro Neto Advogados, Daniella Macedo of the Institute for Forest and Agricultural Management and Certification (Imaflora), and Maria José Zakia of the University of São Paulo. 

They presented a set of principles, policies and procedures to protect and promote the well-being of people and the environment, especially in the context of implementing the Forest Goal. The aim is to ensure that projects are developed in a sustainable way, respecting human rights, local culture, biodiversity and natural ecosystems. 

“Fundo Vale’s events are always valuable, as they feature rich and enlightening discussions,” says Fabio Bonini, managing partner of Caaporã Agrosilvopastoril. “At this meeting, we had presentations by professionals with a good view of our business, addressing topics that help us on a daily basis, including safeguards and how document checks help us mitigate project risks and are not carried out with the aim of punishing.” 

Subjects such as the cocoa business, European Commission regulations, the promotion of decent work (including a Best Practices Guide on this issue) and environmental compliance of farms were also covered.