Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions (scope 3), by category
GRI Dimension
EnvironmentalGRI Code
305-3Stakeholder
PlanetTCFD
Related IndicatorsCommitments to Renewing Life
In 2024, Suzano expanded the accounting of indirect emissions, considering all scope 3 material categories. As a result, scope 3 now represents 87.2% of the company's total emissions, while direct emissions (scope 1) represent only 11.3%.
Additionally, two new units joined the Suzano operation, Ribas do Rio Pardo in Mato Grosso do Sul and Suzano Packaging in the United States. The start-up of our Cerrado Project in Ribas and the incorporation of our first international plant led to a 10% increase in our Scope 3 emissions. It is important to note that, according to the GHG Protocol, all the emissions from the North American operation in 2024 were accounted for within the Suzano group and not just the emissions after its incorporation on October 1st.
For indirect emissions, where Suzano's service providers carry out operational control, the most representative category is the processing of products sold, representing 54% of scope 3, which includes emissions from the processing of intermediate products; in this case, Suzano's main product, pulp, carried out by our customers.
As cellulose is a product at the beginning of the consumer goods value chain, after it is sold, the product needs to go through additional industrial processes, such as transformation into paper, packaging or personal hygiene items. These processes are part of complex production chains and are highly energy-intensive, consuming large amounts of electricity and heat, often generated from fossil fuels.
As an intermediate product, Suzano is responsible for the emissions associated with its processing in its Scope 3 reporting. The GHG Protocol considers the emissions generated in the use and subsequent end-of-life of the product sold as part of the company's value chain.
Concerning our customers, we believe that fostering a close relationship is also extremely important. We firmly believe that our products go beyond simple commodities due to the sustainability incorporated into Suzano's production process, which guarantees distinctive attributes that make our products stand out in the market. Currently, the company's pulp has one of the lowest emission intensities in the industry. It is therefore crucial to communicate these attributes to customers, along with our commitment to continuous improvement, and to participate in discussions about shared challenges and possible ways of working together. Moreover, Suzano carries out life cycle analyses in its business units, which seek to constantly reduce the impact generated at each stage of the process of its products, as well as being of interest to its customers, who in turn also seek to manage the impact of their products. The second most representative category is purchased goods and services, representing 28% of Scope 3. This increase is directly linked to Suzano's new units since all the services provided by the American operation (including transportation and other Scope 3 categories) were accounted for in this category because we were unclear about the emissions profile before their incorporation by Suzano. In addition, the start-up of the new Ribas operation meant that our purchase of inputs increased compared to 2023.
We are continuing to develop closer relationships with our suppliers and developing various conversations about ESG and data collection. Suzano expanded the emissions accounting in this category and began to include emissions linked to the production of inputs for our operations. We are keen to strengthen our ties with our suppliers and walk together on a decarbonization journey beyond Suzano, which encompasses its entire value chain.
The third most representative category is transportation and distribution, contributing 9% of our Scope 3 emissions, including the transportation of inputs and finished products. Notably, most of the emissions from forestry operations occur within our operational control and are therefore reported in our scope 1. Suzano achieved a higher volume of production in 2024, mainly due to the start-up of the Ribas do Rio Pardo Unit and the inputs inherent in a new factory. This category increased by 4.3% compared to 2023.
Suzano has been working on various fronts to reduce emissions in our logistics chain, such as projects to reduce diesel consumption in road transport, the entry of new specialized ships for transporting pulp, and some electric trucks. The increase in emissions in this category was less than the expansion of our operations, reflecting the operational gains our logistics teams have implemented in recent years.
In 2024, Suzano made some methodological improvements, such as updating the GWP indices referring to the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and adjusting emission factors.
To learn more about managing GHG emissions, visit “Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and methodology.”
- Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions (scope 3) by category.
Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions (scope 3) by category¹
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total emissions | Percentage of representation in scope 3 | Total emissions | Percentage of representation in scope 3 | Total emissions | Percentage of representation in scope 3 | |
| tCO₂e | % | tCO₂e | % | tCO₂e | % | |
|
01 - Goods and services purchased² |
5,468,864.67 |
27.40% |
5,266,752.73 |
27.10% |
5,515,011.57 |
28.30% |
|
03- Fuel and energy not included in Scopes 1 and 2 |
262,518.80 |
1.30% |
252,205.33 |
1.30% |
269,302.66 |
1.40% |
|
04- Transportation and distribution (upstream) |
1,740,224.91 |
8.70% |
1,684,879.30 |
8.70% |
1,757,928.07 |
9.00% |
|
05- Waste generated during operations |
32,388.91 |
0.20% |
65,809.21 |
0.30% |
37,930.34 |
0.20% |
|
06-Business trips |
5,534.55 |
0.03% |
5,992.03 |
0.03% |
6,635.95 |
0.03% |
|
07-Displacement of employees (home-work) |
11,514.28 |
0.10% |
11,587.22 |
0.10% |
14,540.91 |
0.10% |
|
09-Transport and distribution (downstream) |
28,511.26 |
0.10% |
31,564.58 |
0.20% |
32,829.19 |
0.20% |
|
10-Processing of products sold |
11,039,485.50 |
55.30% |
10,839,630.46 |
55.80% |
10,442,140.84 |
53.60% |
|
12-End-of-life treatment of products sold |
1,081,930.48 |
5.40% |
943,372.78 |
4.90% |
1,082,508.92 |
5.60% |
|
15-Investments |
283,376.41 |
1.40% |
306,709.34 |
1.60% |
311,671.74 |
1.60% |
|
Total |
19,954,349.77 |
100.00% |
19,408,502.99 |
100.00% |
19,470,500.20 |
100.00% |
- The indicator includes the following gases: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).