At COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, Brazilian cooperativism will take center stage during the Cooperativism and Sustainable Finance panel. On November 19, credit cooperatives Sicoob, Sicredi, and Cresol will share their innovative practices and the positive impact of their sustainable actions, highlighting best practices within the movement that contribute to environmental preservation, local community development, and support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while reinforcing Brazil's commitment to the Paris Agreement.
Márcio Lopes de Freitas, president of the Sistema OCB, emphasizes that the presence of Brazilian cooperativism at COP29 underscores the sector's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. According to him, the cooperative business model offers effective solutions to environmental challenges while fostering local development and empowering entire communities. “Cooperatives are key players in building a more sustainable future. Initiatives like Cresol’s project in Minas Gerais demonstrate how environmental preservation can be aligned with social inclusion, directly benefiting the communities we serve with impactful actions that inspire on a global scale,” he states.
Cresol will showcase its commitment to sustainability and ESG practices, focusing on strategies that promote the bioeconomy and the development of family farming. The cooperative has established sustainability committees, defined governance guidelines, and invested in training its board members and directors. Furthermore, Cresol incorporates diversity as an institutional value, prioritizing the inclusion of women in leadership positions and creating strategic partnerships for resource mobilization. Currently, 41% of Cresol’s board is composed of women.
For Mayara Viana Ribas, director and superintendent of Cresol MG, participating in COP29 is a unique opportunity to demonstrate how cooperativism can lead the transition to a sustainable economy, particularly in vulnerable territories. According to her, cooperatives provide credit but also work directly with communities, understanding local needs and driving solutions that benefit both people and the environment. “Participating in COP is an honor. We hope that credit cooperativism emerges even stronger and more recognized for its strategic action and presence in local territories,” she said.
Impacts
In environmental terms, more than 55,000 people have benefited from sustainability actions across at least 70 municipalities through the cooperative. In 2023, Cresol allocated over R$ 78 million to sustainable credit lines from its own resource portfolio. A total of 1,494 contracts were signed in categories such as renewable energy, water, and sanitation, while R$ 9.5 billion from the sustainable portfolio were disbursed to boost the green economy, as per the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE).
On the social front, Cresol has directly impacted 23,000 children and young people through educational projects, mobilized approximately 1,200 young individuals across 14 states, engaged 10,000 women, and benefited at least 5,000 elderly people. Financial education initiatives have indirectly impacted 15 million individuals. Additionally, the family succession program supported 50 families, and more than 2,000 people were assisted in rural and business entrepreneurship projects.
During its presentation, Cresol aims to reinforce its belief in cooperation as a viable means to transform realities and strengthen communities. One example of this impact can be seen in Codajás, Amazonas, where the cooperative's collaboration with InFocus and Trias organizations provides new opportunities for those relying on forest products. The goal is to demonstrate how cooperativism creates a virtuous cycle that alleviates poverty and fosters pride among residents, empowering them to generate their own income, protect nature, and plan a promising future for the next generations.
“Community engagement reinforces the spirit of cooperativism and strengthens the resilience of communities by making local populations key players in environmental preservation. In addition to delivering tangible results for the benefited communities, the project solidifies Brazil’s international reputation as a country committed to sustainability agendas and demonstrates that the cooperative movement is the ideal path to achieving global preservation and development goals,” adds President Márcio.
