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Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and methodology

SASB Dimension

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

SASB Code

RR-PP-110A.1

SASB Code

RT-CP-110a.1

SASB Sector

Pulp & Paper Products

SASB Sector

Containers and Packaging

GRI Dimension

Environmental

GRI Code

305-1

GRI Code

305-2

GRI Code

305-3

GRI Code

305-5

Stakeholder

Planet

TCFD

Related Indicators
context

Suzano's reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is based on the operational control approach and covers its operations:

  • Upstream: performance of upstream suppliers and forestry operations, such as silviculture, harvesting, maintenance, forest protection, road construction, waste management, fertilizer application and wood logistics;
  • Industrial operation: production of pulp, paper, consumer goods, steam and energy generation, recovery and utilities, waste management, health and safety, operation of study and research centers, administrative operation [related to restaurants, transportation of employees, building maintenance] and purchase of electricity;
  • Downstream: product transport and distribution operations, including distribution centers (DCs), port operations, maritime, rail and road transport within Brazil and abroad.

Looking at the entire production chain, a significant portion of the company's emissions come from stationary industrial operations, operational logistics, and product distribution. This includes inbound activities such as transportation, storage, and delivery of inputs to the company, as well as outbound activities involving transportation, storage, and delivery of products to customers. In addition to industrial stationary operations, the transportation of products between ports, both domestic and international, represents the largest volume of emissions concentration.

Also included in this category are biogenic emissions associated with the natural carbon cycle and those resulting from the combustion, harvesting, digestion, fermentation, decomposition, or processing of biologically derived materials. Factors considered in the calculation of biogenic emissions include the use of biomass, black liquor, and methanol for energy production, as well as the use of heat and steam in industrial units. In addition, renewable fuels used in operations, particularly road-based activities, such as ethanol, biodiesel blended with diesel, and ethanol blended with gasoline, are included.

The methodologies chosen for quantification, data collection and application of emission factors follow the guidelines outlined in the ABNT NBR ISO 14064-1 standard (ABNT, 2007). Additionally, the preparation of the 2023 base year inventory also relied on other methodological references:

  • The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, published by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) (2004);
  • Guidelines and calculation tools from the Getulio Vargas Foundation's Brazilian GHG Protocol Program (PBGHGP) (2023);
  • IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC - 2006);
  • Calculation Tools for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Pulp and Paper Mills, issued by the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI - 2005). 

According to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Principles, measurement data and emission factors that reflect local conditions have been prioritized whenever possible. The GHG emissions reported in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, as published in the Public Registry of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program, are periodically verified and audited by an independent third party.

In order to ensure comparability with the base year and to be consistent with Suzano's Commitments to Renew Life, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) indices from the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) were used for the emissions data presented in the Annual Report. In addition, for the forthcoming Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory to be published in the Public Registry of the Brazilian Greenhouse Gas Protocol Program, data were calculated using metrics from the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). This information is also available upon request.

The following information is available in the tables below:

  • GHG emissions in tons of CO₂ equivalent;
  • Biogenic CO₂ emissions in tons of CO₂ equivalent;
  • GHG emissions in tons, broken down by gas.

GHG emissions in tons of CO₂ equivalent

2020202120222023
tCO₂e tCO₂e tCO₂e tCO₂e

Direct emissions (scope 1)¹

2,155,102.69

2,328,335.53

2,378,304.09

2,421,049.08

Indirect emissions (scope 2)²

59,531.90

137,822.64

49,216.75

49,237.12

Other indirect emissions (scope 3)³ ⁴

1,568,893.44

1,842,093.64

1,737,960.57

1,643,791.84

Total

3,783,528.03

4,308,251.81

4,165,481.41

4,114,078.04

  1. Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (scope 1) include several gases emitted directly from fuel consumption, as described in GRI Disclosure 302-1: Energy consumption within the organization. These gases include, but are not limited to, carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). 
  2. Indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (scope 2) include CO₂ emissions arising from the purchase or acquisition of electricity, heating, cooling, and steam used by the organization for its own internal consumption. This indicator specifically accounts for CO₂ emissions. 
  3. This indicator includes the following gases: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
  4. Scope 3 categories measured: 1. Purchased goods and services; 4. Upstream transportation and distribution; 5. Waste generated in operations; 6. Business travel; 7. Employee commuting; 9. Downstream transportation and distribution.

Biogenic CO₂ emissions in tons of CO₂ equivalent¹

2020202120222023
tCO₂e tCO₂e tCO₂e tCO₂e

Scope 1

20,304,261.08

20,492,627.36

21,110,167.78

20,473,495.00

Scope 3²

46,621.06

74,003.10

84,894.25

588,463.83

Total

20,350,882.14

20,566,630.46

21,195,062.03

21,061,959.00

  1. Biogenic emissions include those associated with the natural carbon cycle and those resulting from the combustion, harvesting, digestion, fermentation, decomposition, or processing of biologically derived materials. This indicator includes carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The calculation of biogenic emissions includes the consumption of biomass, black liquor, and methanol for energy production, as well as heat and steam in industrial units, and the use of renewable fuels in road transport, such as ethanol, biodiesel blended with diesel, and ethanol blended with gasoline. Emission factors for these inputs in Brazil are published annually by the Brazilian Greenhouse Gas Protocol Program. In 2021, despite constant biomass consumption, production increased due to improved production efficiency and fewer general shutdowns. To ensure comparability with the base year and alignment with Suzano's Commitments to Renew Life, Global Warming Potential (GWP) indices from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report were used. All reported values have been verified by an independent third party.
  2. Scope 3 categories measured: 1. Purchased goods and services; 4. Upstream transportation and distribution; 5. Waste generated in operations; 6. Business travel; 7. Employee commuting; 9. Downstream transportation and distribution.

GHG emissions in tons, broken down by gas.

In tons of gasIn tons of CO₂ equivalent¹
ScopeGEE20202021202220232020202120222023
t t t t tCO₂e tCO₂e tCO₂e tCO₂e

Scope 1

CO₂

1.864.863,86

2.055.465,20

2.051.137,19

2,074,337.16

1.864.863,86

2.055.465,20

2.051.137,19

2,074,337.16

Scope 1

CH₄

2.880,18

1.888,83

2.531,32

2,490.95

72.004,51

47.220,73

63.282,90

62,273.81

Scope 1

N₂O

684,03

703,88

854,37

919.99

203.841,37

209.755,64

254.603,05

274,156.43

Scope 1

HFC

7,89

8,22

1.43

5.51

14.392,95

15.893,96

9.280,96

10,281.67

Scope 1

TOTAL

-

-

-

2.155.102,69

2.328.335,53

2.378.304,091

2,421,049.08

Scope 2²

CO₂

59.531,90

137.822,64

49.216,75

49,237.12

59.531,90

137.822,64

49.216,75

49,237.12

Scope 2²

TOTAL

-

-

-

59.531,90

137.822,64

49.216,75

49,237.12

Scope 3³

CO₂

1.508.601,10

1.787.432,72

1.681.086,36

1,554,843.23

1.508.601,10

1.787.432,72

1.681.086,36

1,554,843.23

Scope3³

CH₄

511,52

713,53

732,18

1,401.68

12.788,08

17.838,23

18.304,62

35,042.07

Scope 3³

N₂O

84,41

100,86

128,59

180.84

25.154,68

30.056,28

38.320,07

53,889.39

Scope 3³

HFC

20,27

3,67

0,15

0.01

22.349,58

6.766,41

249,52

17.16

Scope 3³

TOTAL

-

-

-

1.568.893,44

1.842.093,64

1.737.960,57

1,643,791.84

  1. To ensure comparability with the base year and methodological alignment with Suzano's Commitments to Renew Life, Global Warming Potential (GWP) indices from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report were used.
  2. Indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ( scope 2) include, among others, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions resulting from the purchase or acquisition of electricity generation, heating, cooling, and steam used by the organization for its internal consumption. It's important to note that the emission factor for corporate inventories, which is published monthly by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, only includes CO₂ emissions from electricity generation within Brazil's National Interconnected System.
  3. Scope 3 categories measured: 1. Purchased goods and services; 4. Upstream transportation and distribution; 5. Waste generated in operations; 6. Business travel; 7. Employee commuting; 9. Downstream transportation and distribution.

Additional information

In contrast to 2023, Suzano experienced a year of reduced production due to the general shutdown (PG, in Portuguese acronym) across all of the company's mills. Absolute emissions showed a slight increase (2%), mainly influenced by emissions from agricultural activities due to the consolidation of the forestry base. Notably, there was a reduction in emissions from forestry operations and a slight increase in stationary emissions. This was mainly due to reduced production and the subsequent restarting of mills after shutdowns, which requires above-average consumption of fossil fuels.

Suzano's primary direct emissions (scope 1) come from the consumption of fossil fuels in the stationary equipment of its industrial units. Additionally, significant emission sources are identified in the forestry units, mainly due to the consumption of fossil fuels by mobile sources during forestry and harvesting operations, logistics activities, and the use of nitrogen fertilizers and soil correction (liming).  Details by category are available in the indicator "Direct greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1), by category and type".

Suzano's indirect emissions from energy purchases (scope 2) result from the purchase of electricity from the National Interconnected System (SIN, in Portuguese acronym), Brazil's electricity generation and transmission network. These emissions hold greater importance in the industrial units, especially in the case of paper machines, which require a continuous and substantial supply of electricity.

Given that Suzano generates a significant portion of its own energy consumption, scope 2 emissions hold relatively low significance in the overall inventory. Consumption levels across the company's units in 2023 remained consistent with those in 2022. Although there was an increase in Suzano's total consumption due to the integration of two new plants under the company's operational control (Mogi das Cruzes in São Paulo and Ribas do Rio Pardo in Mato Grosso do Sul), this was offset by the improvement in the average emission factor for electricity supplied through the SIN of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTIC). This factor decreased by 10% due to the increase in renewable electricity generation in 2023. As a result, the final Scope 2 emissions result did not change significantly.

Scope 3 emissions saw a decrease of 5% in 2023. Among Suzano's other indirect emissions ( scope 3), those stemming from transportation and distribution, both for inputs and finished products, are the most significant. The company has diligently focused on addressing this aspect in recent years. However, the main factor that has contributed to the reduction of Scope 3 emissions has been the reduction in production and, consequently, in the transportation of finished products.