Coopercitrus will represent Brazilian cooperativism alongside Cooxupé and the Sistema OCB at COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 19. Invited by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the cooperative will participate in the panel The Role of Cooperatives in Advancing Climate Action, sharing its innovative practices and experiences that make cooperativism a sustainable and future-oriented model. The presentation will highlight the movement’s contributions to environmentally conscious agricultural production, creating both local and global impacts.
According to Coopercitrus president Matheus Marino, the cooperative stands out for its management model, which combines productivity with sustainable practices while focusing on the needs of its 42,000 members. “Our commitment lies in environmental preservation and the adoption of innovative technologies that promote regenerative agriculture. We believe that through environmental protection policies and sustainable management, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and improve productivity in the countryside responsibly,” he stated.
The cooperative maintains a robust policy for preserving native forests within its legal reserves, protecting over 20% of its land with vegetation. Practices such as cover cropping to conserve soil and no-till farming to reduce preparation needs and protect water springs are widely encouraged. These efforts not only ensure global food security by responsibly supplying food but also promote renewable energy production.
“We do not prioritize high profitability; instead, we focus on delivering field technologies that provide economic, environmental, and social benefits. For example, the Digital Field Project brings together technological solutions that simplify farmers’ lives and improve production efficiency and sustainability. Tools like Geofert and monitoring systems using trucks and satellites enable precision management, enhancing both productivity and sustainability in agriculture,” Marino emphasized.
Building Human Capital
Another key pillar of Coopercitrus is the development of skilled human capital through the Coopercitrus Credicitrus Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to disseminating technologies and environmental solutions for agriculture and society. The foundation offers free courses to the community, ranging from technical training in agribusiness and big data for the sector to professional qualifications for farmers and rural workers. To date, it has trained 148 drone operators, supported over 9,500 professionals in development activities, and currently has 199 students enrolled in technical agribusiness courses.
In environmental management, Coopercitrus implements rigorous control policies and continuous improvement practices to enhance its sustainability performance. This is reflected in its renewable energy usage, which accounts for 73.4% of its energy matrix—significantly higher than Brazil’s national average of 47.4%. The cooperative has also significantly reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with notable decreases between 2022 and 2023, underscoring its ongoing commitment to sustainability.
To enhance transparency and credibility, Coopercitrus follows the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards for sustainability reporting and submits its results to external audits. The key message for COP29 is sustainability as the core of its ESG strategy, emphasizing that strengthening the carbon credit market and establishing clear financial support rules can accelerate the transition to a greener energy matrix and create value opportunities for members.
Márcio Lopes de Freitas, president of the Sistema OCB, highlighted the pivotal role of Brazilian cooperativism in combating climate change through its commitment to sustainability and responsible practices that directly impact the environment. “Coopercitrus, with its focus on environmental preservation and innovation, exemplifies how the cooperative sector can contribute to the transition to a greener and more sustainable economy. The Sistema OCB is proud to support initiatives like this, showcasing the potential of Brazilian cooperativism at COP29 and other international platforms,” he stated.
