Federal Government Launches Groundbreaking Policy to Promote Sustainability in Ports, Airports, and Waterways

The Ministry of Ports and Airports launched on Monday (27) a pioneering Sustainability Policy for ports, airports, and waterways. The policy includes measures directed at both the public sector and private industry and seeks to encourage sustainable practices, promote transparency, and strengthen social inclusion.

Public and Private Sector Engagement

The government will develop an Annual Sustainability Policy Agenda for the public sector, outlining projects, studies, and potential regulatory changes. Meanwhile, the policy will be implemented through the Sustainability Pact, a commitment for companies interested in adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

“We are seeing significant initiatives in the sector, not only aimed at reducing environmental impact but also improving transparency in management and promoting social inclusion. Our role is to encourage these actions, which directly benefit Brazilian citizens—even those who do not use air or water transportation,” stated Minister Sílvio Costa Filho, head of the Ministry of Ports and Airports.

Criteria and Public Recognition

To join the Sustainability Pact, companies must meet a series of requirements, including:

• Compliance with labor regulations
• No proven history of forced labor, child labor, harassment, or discrimination without proper investigation

“Our goal is to encourage corporate participation and reinforce socio-environmental responsibility in each company,” explained Larissa Amorim, director of the Ministry’s Sustainability Program. “These companies will receive a public recognition seal, with different levels reflecting their degree of engagement. However, this commitment is not optional: companies must meet the established requirements annually, or the seal will be revoked.”

She also emphasized that these measures represent an innovation in the public sector, fostering engagement and healthy competition among private companies. “Those committed to environmental best practices will have their projects prioritized within the Ministry of Infrastructure, speeding up their approval process.”

For example, the Gold Seal will be awarded to companies that implement at least 10 actions across the three ESG pillars (environmental, social, and governance), set self-defined environmental and social impact targets, and adhere to the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program.

Seal Awards and Policy Impact

The seal awards are scheduled for November, during the COP 30 climate conference, in a ceremony highlighting Brazil’s leadership in environmental policy. This unprecedented initiative by the Federal Government could serve as a model for other ministries and generate a ripple effect of positive impacts in the industry.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to a more sustainable economy and the creation of a legacy of socio-environmental responsibility, which will benefit both service users and society as a whole.

Source: Ministry of Ports and Airports

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