São Paulo 2012: Eco-Entrepreneurship

In the final panel for AS/COA's 2012 São Paulo conference, panelists discussed sustainability and green initiatives in Brazil's public and private sectors. Moderator Virgilio Viana, CEO of Fundaçao Amazonas, explained his belief that after Rio+20, sustainability goals will come from the private sector, which will be important in spurring environmentally friendly practices.

Francisco Gaetani, executive secretary of Brazil's environment ministry, highlighted the government's committment to sustainability. For the public sector, there's no longer a conflict between development and the environment, Gaetani said. Brazil has decreased deforestation at record numbers in recent years, and the government is now working to develop a "census" of Brazil's forests. Claudia Pires, sustainability manager at PepsiCo Brazil, gave examples of how the private sector is moving toward greener business practices. PepsiCo's now uses "green" packaging; some types of packaging are reusable, and the company uses plastic bottles that after going through the recycling process can be made into new bottles. The company also works with potato farmers in Brazil, teaching sustainable farming and water use. The government could provide more incentives for the private sector to adapt these types of practices, she said.

Watch a video of the panel: