When you're asking farmers to reduce their carbon footprint, you need to understand what you're asking them to do. That's the simple truth that drove us at the Global Research and Innovation Center in Pereiras, São Paulo, as we embarked on our own carbon neutral journey in 2021.
We couldn't just talk about sustainability from the sidelines. We needed to roll up our sleeves, learn lessons, and figure out what actually works.
Starting with Hard Numbers
The first step was the hardest: we had to measure everything. And we mean everything.
Working with our partners at Future Carbon Group through our OpenAg approach, we tracked energy consumption, water usage, and emissions across every corner of our Brazilian facility. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was necessary. You can't fix what you don't measure.
The process taught us something important: getting accurate baseline data takes time and patience. Every department had to be involved. Every process had to be examined. It was like putting our entire operation under a microscope.
But here's what we discovered: once you have those real numbers in front of you, the path forward becomes clearer.
The Reality Check
Our 2021 emissions totalled 59.53 tons of carbon. That number represented our starting point – not our destination.
Partnering with Future Carbon Group, we calculated exactly what it would take to offset those emissions: 365 trees. But we didn't stop there. In February 2024, we planted 440 native tree seedlings building in a 20% buffer because we wanted to be absolutely certain we'd hit our target.
That extra effort reflects something we learned along the way: when you're serious about sustainability, you plan for the unexpected.
Building Momentum
Success in 2021 gave us confidence to keep going. Using those initial numbers as our foundation, we've been tracking progress year by year.
For the 2022 and 2023 emissions, we're planting another 600 native tree seedlings. For 2024, the emissions have already been addressed through carbon credit purchases. UPL Brazil also purchased carbon credits to offset emissions from all UPL operations in Brazil, including those from the Pereiras research station.
This iterative approach has taught us that carbon neutrality isn't a one-time achievement – it's an ongoing commitment that requires constant attention and adjustment.
Why This Journey Matters
Every lesson we've learned on this path directly benefits the farmers we work with. When we understand the real challenges of measuring emissions, the complexity of choosing offset strategies, and the time it takes to see results, we can offer practical guidance instead of theoretical advice.
The farmer dealing with sustainability requirements on their operation faces the same questions we did: How do I measure my impact? What offset options actually work? How do I balance environmental goals with business realities?
Because we've wrestled with these questions ourselves, we can provide answers that work in the real world, not just on paper.
The OpenAg Difference
This entire experience perfectly captures what our OpenAg approach is all about: turning big ideas into practical solutions together. We don't just talk about innovation – we live it, test it, and refine it until it works.
By walking this carbon neutral path ourselves, we've created a playbook for our other centers that they can actually use. We've identified the pitfalls to avoid, the strategies that deliver results, and the realistic timelines for seeing progress.
When farmers have access to tools and guidance based on real experience rather than theory, everyone wins. The farmer gets solutions that work. The environment benefits from meaningful action. And we all move closer to a future where sustainable farming is the norm, not the exception.
Looking to the future
Our carbon neutral journey continues to evolve – each year brings new data, new challenges, and new opportunities to improve.
But what hasn't changed is our commitment to understanding every challenge we ask farmers to face. Because when we succeed together, we create a future where farming works for everyone – farmers, communities, and the planet we all share.
The path to carbon neutrality isn't always straightforward, but it's always worthwhile. And by walking it ourselves first, we're ensuring that every farmer who follows has a clearer, more practical route to success.