In collaboration with Antonio Matheus.

If you're a manager, you've probably felt that the term ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) often seems like an abstract concept, surrounded by a jumble of acronyms and difficult to apply in the day-to-day business practice. For a long time, there was a lack of clear direction for the Brazilian market.

In the most recent episode of Ecominas Insights, We welcomed specialist Antônio Matheus to discuss the solution to this pain: the ABNT PR 2030, the first ESG standard in Brazil. More than just a technical guideline, it has arrived to professionalize sustainability management, taking the topic from the realm of ideas and bringing it into measurable management..

In this article, we detail the main points of this conversation and explain why adopting this standard is a crucial competitive advantage for your business.

What is ABNT PR 2030?

In simple terms, ABNT PR 2030 functions as the first Brazilian "instruction manual" for ESG.. Launched in late 2022, it is a Recommended Practice (RP) created to guide companies of any size or sector in incorporating environmental, social, and governance practices in a structured way..

The “2030” in the name is no coincidence. The standard makes direct reference to the UN's 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).. The great merit of the standard is to "tropicalize" these global objectives, translating goals such as climate action and innovation into the reality of Brazilian business management..

Why adopt a voluntary standard?

If the standard isn't legally mandatory, why should your company invest time in it? The answer lies in strategy and competitiveness. PR 2030 is the instrument that separates "true ESG" from... greenwashing (the empty rhetoric of sustainability).

By adopting the standard, the company guarantees three clear strategic advantages:

1. Management and Efficiency: The standard offers a method for identifying risks (such as dependence on natural resources) and opportunities, moving away from guesswork.
2. Access to Capital: The financial market demands proof of good management practices to release "green" credit with lower interest rates. PR 2030 standardizes this information, making it easier for investors to analyze.
3. Reputation and Transparency: She structures the accountability process, which is fundamental for attracting clients and retaining talent.

How does the standard work in practice?

ABNT PR 2030 is divided into two supplementary booklets.:

• Notebook 1 (The Purpose): It presents the concepts and guidelines and aligns the company with the SDGs. It is the theoretical basis for everyone in the organization to speak the same language.
• Notebook 2 (The Method): It is a diagnostic tool. It contains the indicators and criteria for the company to perform its "check-up" and identify its stage on the maturity scale.

The Maturity Scale One of the most interesting points discussed in the podcast is that the rule is not punitive. It proposes a maturity scale that functions like a mirror. The company identifies whether it is at an "Elementary" or "Excellent" level and outlines a roadmap for improvement..

ABNT PR 2030 vs. GRI Reports: What's the difference?

Many companies confuse the standard with reporting frameworks, such as the GRI (Global Reporting InitiativeAntônio Matheus uses a perfect analogy to explain:

• GRI is the Showcase: It serves to communicate to the market what was done.
• PR 2030 is Inventory Management: Focus on internal engineering and in how to The management will take place.

You use PR 2030 to ensure that the house is in order and GRI to show the result of that organization.

The Path to Implementation

The implementation journey follows the PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act), divided into phases of diagnosis, planning, and execution.. However, trying to do this alone, treating ESG merely as a checklist for a single area, is risky..

This is where the role of comes in. Ecominas. Our approach has evolved. With 20 years of experience ensuring regulatory compliance and project viability, we now integrate this expertise with a strategic ESG vision..

We act as facilitators and accelerators of this process, translating the guidelines of the standard into the reality of your sector and ensuring that sustainability generates measurable value, not just costs..

Want to know where to start? Our guest's final piece of advice is: start small, but be structured. Choose relevant topics for your business and use PR 2030 as your roadmap..

To listen to the full conversation with Antônio Matheus and delve deeper into the topic, access the episode on our channel. YouTube or in Spotify. And if your company is looking to move from theory to strategic practice, count on Ecominas.