Managing our environmental impact

To reduce our environmental impact, we manage our operations in an environmentally responsible way.

We are reducing our carbon emissions, using energy and water efficiently and reusing or recycling waste where possible. Our Environmental Policy underlines this commitment, while our environmental management systems are implemented in accordance with internationally recognised standards, such as ISO 14001.

Increasing efficiency

As our business grows we are becoming more energy efficient through investments in clean technology and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. Based on annual carbon emissions monitoring, we identify emission reduction and implement energy-efficiency projects to reduce our footprint.

In Brazil we reduced freshwater withdrawal to 20% per tonne of processed sugar cane with a new effluent treatment facility and vinasse concentrator – optimising effluent disposal quality and creating cost savings.

Low carbon assets

We have a portfolio of low-carbon energy installations in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. These investments have reduced our reliance on fossil fuels, and position COFCO International as a significant producer of ethanol, biodiesel and biomass power, supplying the grid with renewable electricity.

Using less water

Water is among the world’s most precious natural resources – and it is vital to our agricultural and industrial processes. Water efficiency targets encourage good practice at all our facilities.

We monitor and reduce our waste, wastewater generation and pollutant emissions at each facility. For our primary production of sugarcane in Brazil, our procedure for responsible application of pesticides and fertiliser ensures that we minimise the environmental impact on neighbouring land and communities.