At Cowade, the environment is a crucial aspect of our business and a fundamental component of our long-term strategy. We are committed to achieving full legal compliance while consistently enhancing our environmental performance across all operations. Guided by our Sustainability and Environmental Policy and our Corporate Environmental Standard, we have fortified our management processes with clear indicators, measurable targets, and responsible practices. By linking performance metrics to pertinent goals, we are advancing our sustainable journey and creating value for individuals, communities, and future generations.
Environmental Management
At Cowade, environmental management is guided by the principles of our Sustainability and Environmental Policy and our Corporate Environmental Standard. These guidelines focus on pollution prevention, minimizing environmental impacts, protecting natural resources, and promoting responsible operations across all business units.
In recent years, we’ve worked to reduce environmental risks and improve how we measure and strengthen performance. We use clear indicators and defined targets to monitor our units’ environmental performance and support continuous progress across our operations.
Compliance with environmental requirements, water use permits, and other regulatory obligations is integrated into our daily routines. Cowade also maintains an Integrated Internal Audit System that includes the environmental dimension. Assessments are conducted through detailed checklists based on applicable environmental legislation and recognized standards such as ISO 14001.
Audit results are carefully reviewed, and whenever non-conformities are identified, action plans are implemented and later verified through follow-up audits. This structured approach helps ensure accountability, continuous improvement, and the advancement of our sustainability journey.
Water
Correlation with the SDGs and Indicators of the Global Compact: Water
Water Stewardship
Water is a vital natural resource and a strategic element for our business’s competitiveness and sustainability. This is particularly significant in industries that depend heavily on water, such as slaughtering and meat processing, where responsible management directly influences operational efficiency and product quality.
Throughout our value chain, water is crucial in key activities, including grain production and the operations of our partner producers and integrated farms. Consequently, the quality and availability of water resources are fundamental to ensuring long-term growth.
We are dedicated to the responsible use of water through efficiency initiatives, monitoring systems, conservation practices, and continuous improvement programs. By carefully managing this essential resource, Cowade is committed to protecting the environment, strengthening communities, and fostering a more sustainable future.
Water Management
Water plays a crucial role in our operations, varying based on the specific functions of each unit within the production cycle. In our field units, it meets the daily needs of employees, provides hydration for animals, and is vital for cleaning and sanitizing facilities.
In our industrial activities, water resources serve several key purposes, including acting as an auxiliary input in production processes, generating steam, supporting cooling systems, and facilitating sanitation procedures that uphold quality and food safety standards.
To guarantee safe and compliant usage, water used in production activities is treated according to applicable legal quality standards. We systematically monitor consumption at each intake point, ensuring efficient resource management and adherence to water use permits.
Through diligent oversight, Cowade is committed to enhancing efficiency, minimizing waste, and promoting the sustainable management of this vital natural resource.
Environmental Management Index (EMI)
The Environmental Management Index is a multi-metric tool designed to measure the environmental performance of our operational units. It provides a structured and transparent way to monitor results, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen accountability across the business.
Performance is evaluated through two main fronts: liquid effluents and legal requirements. The legal requirements category is further divided into permits and licenses, ensuring that each unit maintains compliance with applicable regulations and operational standards.
Implemented as a corporate commitment in 2019, the Environmental Management Index became an important milestone in strengthening our sustainability practices. Data is collected monthly and integrated into the target framework of all units, enabling continuous monitoring and performance improvement.
Through this system, Cowade reinforces its commitment to responsible management, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
Effluent and Waste Management
Cowade has established clear goals focused on meeting effluent discharge parameters and reducing the volume of solid waste generated across its facilities. In recent years, continued investments have been made in plant modernization and in initiatives designed to minimize environmental impacts while improving operational efficiency.
The management of effluents generated by operations is one of the key components monitored through the Environmental Management Index (EMI). Compliance with applicable legal requirements related to effluent discharge is measured and tracked regularly, while the proper treatment and disposal of wastewater remains one of the company’s main priorities.
Each operational unit also maintains water consumption targets that help reduce wastewater generation, creating environmental, social, and economic benefits. Wastewater volumes are periodically monitored before and after treatment through laboratory analyses, allowing the effectiveness of treatment systems to be evaluated. Treatment efficiency is measured through the quality of the effluent safely returned to receiving water bodies.
Regarding solid waste, procedures are planned and implemented to minimize generation while ensuring proper storage, safe transportation, and final disposal in accordance with environmental legislation. To strengthen results, reduction targets have been established across operations.
The company has also advanced circular practices through the reuse of selected waste materials, including oil removed during effluent treatment processes, which has been used as fuel in adapted boilers. This initiative reduced the consumption of BPF oil and contributed to lower emissions.
These actions reflect Cowade’s commitment to responsible resource management, innovation, and sustainable growth.