redução

Based on the identification of our volume of GHG, we initiated what we consider to be the main focus of the Carbon Neutral Program: the reduction of emissions.

Due to the history of initiatives of Natura in the field of sustainability, we had already found ourselves in a condition to be able to implement a significant reduction, because since 2001 we have been incorporating into our product development process a Life Cycle Assessment for packaging. Through this methodology, we have come to quantify the entry and departure of materials and energy in a system, which permits the objective comparison of the “environmental performance” of products.

In other words, we were already actively engaged in the implementation of measures that bear on the economy of Greenhouse Gas emissions. However, we had not been measuring them in the form of an environmental impact indicator.

The Carbon Neutral Program has given a new dimension to our engagement. We have identified the possibility of reducing by 33% our GHG emissions, when compared to 2006 within a period of five years. We are acting in all the stages of the carbon cycle: the extraction of raw materials, the extraction of packaging materials, the work of direct suppliers, internal processes, transport and the disposal of products and packaging. This is our horizon.

Among the practices already adopted that contribute to the reduction are: the use of organic alcohol in formulas, the reduction of the size of Natura’s Magazine, the incentive to transport products by water, the use of renewable fuels, the optimization of packaging and the increase in the use of recycled materials.

Up to now, we have already achieved a reduction of 9%, 6% of that in 2007 and 3% in 2008.

For greater detail about our reduction strategy, read the Carbon Neutral Case 2009.