With new emission-reduction targets, Ferroport earns 2025 Diamond Sustainability Seal at COP30

Ferroport, operator of the iron ore terminal at the Port of Açu, in São João da Barra in northern Rio de Janeiro, received the 2025 Sustainability Seal in the Diamond category at a ceremony held by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) on 11/12, during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Pará. As a result of MPor’s technical assessment, the award was presented by the ministry’s Director of Sustainability, Larissa Amorim, to Ferroport’s Sustainability Manager, Edenilson Sanches, the Environmental Coordinator, Renato Aguiar, and the analyst in the area, Amanda Monteiro.

The Sustainability Seal recognizes companies that have joined the Sustainability Pact, established by MPor under Ordinance No. 58/2025 for the port and airport sectors. It rewards the companies that demonstrate the best environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. The pact aims to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to implement social and environmental programs aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

According to MPor, the 63 companies registered in the program presented action plans based on the pillars of environment, social development, and governance. Based on their performance, they received a seal in the Diamond, Gold, Silver, or Bronze category. In this first edition, 36 companies were awarded across the different categories.

Reinforcing its commitment to ESG initiatives, Ferroport has been investing in sustainable business development and the local community. The company, which completed a decade of operations in 2024 and set a record for iron ore exports (25 million tonnes on 148 ships), strengthened its reforestation efforts in the region, planting more than 2.5 million seedlings. The company formed a new partnership with the Caruara Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), in São João da Barra—the largest fragment of coastal shrubland within a private conservation unit in the country—to reforest 115 hectares (equivalent to 140 football fields), strengthening local biodiversity.

In addition, the company already sources 100% renewable electricity through wind generation and uses more than 93% reused water in operations. The company was also ranked in the Top 2 in the Antaq Awards, in the category of the highest Environmental Performance Index (IDA) for private-use terminals (TUPs) in Brazil, earning the highest score among iron ore terminals.

In line with the strategy to drive sustainable development and reduce environmental impacts, Ferroport’s Sustainability Plan has been revised, with new ESG targets set for 2027 to guide initiatives focused on decarbonization, strengthening local communities, and valuing people. Among the new targets are increasing the number of women in leadership positions by 60% and Black and Brown leaders by 50%; boosting the development of local suppliers; maintaining zero disposal of solid waste to landfills; reducing emissions from scopes 1 and 2 by 90%; and maintaining the Gold Seal for the GHG inventory.

“Recognition with the Diamond Seal by MPor is an incentive for us to expand Ferroport’s ESG actions, making the company’s operations even safer, more efficient and more sustainable. At Ferroport, we believe that business success is only achieved by integrating ESG principles into the planning and execution of our activities,” says Ferroport CEO, Carsten Bosselmann.

The ministry’s award ceremony, held during COP30, was attended by the National Secretary of Waterways and Navigation, Otto Burlier, MPor’s Director of Sustainability, Larissa Amorim, and the Superintendent of Environmental and Territorial Management at Infra S.A., Bruno Marques. Social impact and commitment to future generations.

Ferroport, which generates more than 600 direct and indirect jobs in São João da Barra and the region, has been investing around R$ 8 million per year in social initiatives in projects in the fields of education, sports and culture. The company has also been recognized for the third time as an excellent place to work by Great Place to Work (GPTW), with an overall score of 90—the highest in the company’s history—and 92% employee participation in the workplace climate survey. The company is also among the three companies that stand out the most in Diversity and Inclusion by the Brazilian Association of Human Resources (ABRH), together with the Prumo Group companies.

“Winning the Diamond Seal is a source of pride for the entire Ferroport team. Together, we are building a more sustainable future for the next generations, where innovation, responsibility and purpose move forward side by side,” says Edenilson Sanches, Sustainability Manager.

Source: Ferroport

Sharing is caring!