BRF S.A.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Renewable Energy Share:14%
Carbon Intensity:0.093 tCO2e/ton produced in 2023
ESG Focus Areas
- Food safety
- Quality and safety of the products
- Human rights and labor relations
- Ethics, integrity and compliance
- Animal welfare
- Health, wellbeing and safety
- Attraction, development and retention of employees
- Management, transparency and tracking of the supply chain
- Climate change, water and energy
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced total scope 1 and 2 emissions by 21% compared to the 2019 baseline.
- Reduced water consumption by 8.4% compared to the 2020 baseline.
- Achieved 100% traceability of grains from direct suppliers in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, and progressed to 77% of indirect suppliers.
- Started the operation of a wind farm, increasing self-production capacity to 14% of the electricity matrix.
Social Achievements
- Achieved 100% animal welfare certification in all poultry and swine slaughter units in Brazil.
- Reduced absenteeism by 21%.
- Invested R$ 77.1 million in natural resources, animal welfare and traceability.
- 12% decrease in the frequency of accidents.
- 81% reduction in severity in accidents with employees.
Governance Achievements
- Ended a lengthy discussion of facts related to the Carne Fraca and Trapaça Operations by signing a Leniency Agreement.
- Implemented new transactional controls, revised the risk matrix, and developed new training programs.
- Improved transparency in transactions with public entities and reviewed policies and procedures of the Compliance Board.
- Ensured that 100% of employees received training on topics related to the Transparency Manual.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net Zero emissions by 2040.
Medium-term Goals:
- Increase by 50% the electricity sourced from clean sources by 2030.
- Reach 30% of women in top leadership positions by 2025.
- Invest R$ 400 million in communities by 2030.
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce water consumption by 13% by 2025.
- Certify 100% of manufacturing units in animal welfare by 2025.
- Ensure traceability of 100% of purchased grains in the biomes where we operate by 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- High interest rates, high levels of indebtedness and default in Brazil.
- Geopolitical challenges and uncertainties.
- Stricter trade barriers in key export markets.
- Risks associated with non-compliance with applicable data protection laws.
- Outbreaks or fears of outbreaks of exotic animal diseases.
- Health and food safety risks.
- Cyclical nature and volatility affecting the prices of commodities.
- Water scarcity throughout the production chain.
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented BRF+, an efficiency plan, to improve operational performance and capture efficiency gains.
- Reduced inventories while raising the level of service for customers.
- Adjusted pork production to meet specific regional demands.
- Implemented a comprehensive approach to data protection and cybersecurity, including technologies, policies, and contingencies.
- Implemented strict biosecurity measures across all links of the chain.
- Established a Quality Policy and corporate standards to ensure food quality and safety.
- Closely monitor industry movements and commodity volatility.
- Adopted guidelines for measuring water vulnerability, monitoring consumption, and rationalizing water usage.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- BRF Partner Code of Conduct
- Sustainable Grain Procurement Policy
- Sustainability Checklist for integrated producers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns
- Droughts and natural disasters
- Water scarcity
- Changes in average temperature impacting animal welfare
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes, such as carbon pricing or taxation
- Changes in legislation for greenhouse gas emissions
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Investments in self-producing parks of energy from clean sources
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (2021), Integrated Reporting Framework of the IFRS Foundation, SASB
Third-party Assurance: KPMG and Instituto Totum (limited assurance)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 2
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 12
- 13
- 15
The report aligns its commitments and actions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Global Compact.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Plant-based carbon neutral chicken
- Cauliflower wings
- Vegetable nuggets
- Vegetable protein nuggets
Awards & Recognition
- Reclame AQUI Award
- Love Brands 2023
- Effie Awards Brasil 2023
- Green Label Industries Seal
- 30% Club Award
- Expressão de Ecologia Award
- Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index
- Brazilian GHG Protocol Program Gold Seal
- Corporate Animal Initiatives Monitor (MICA) Gold category
- ISE
- ICO2
- Theo chatbot award