The Federation of Industries of the State of Bahia (FIEB) promoted, this Tuesday (24), another initiative focused on strengthening the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) agenda within the industrial sector. Held at the ESG Arena of IBEM*, the meeting brought together specialists, executives, and company representatives to present practical case studies demonstrating how ESG principles are being applied to renewable energy projects and in companies’ interactions with local communities.

With the theme “ESG as a factor of competitiveness and socio-environmental responsibility,” the opening session was led by Arlinda Negreiros, FIEB’s Sustainable Development Manager. In her remarks, she highlighted the evolution of ESG in the business environment, noting that it has moved beyond discourse to become a strategic element for value generation.

Arlinda emphasized FIEB’s role as a facilitator of this agenda in Bahia, connecting companies, innovation, and sustainable development. She showed how the institution drives practices that minimize risks, strengthen legal certainty, and increase corporate engagement, while also promoting education and spaces for dialogue on the topic. “ESG is about mindset. When decision-makers understand the importance of these issues, it reflects throughout the entire value chain and in business results,” she stated.

The program included presentations of several business case studies. Alan Falcão, from Marwind Energias Renováveis, discussed the concept of “invisible ESG” in project development, highlighting the importance of incorporating sustainability from the earliest stages and maintaining ongoing dialogue with impacted communities.

Next, Daniela Oliveira, from Goldwind Camaçari, presented practices adopted at the factory, such as equipment recycling, external human‑rights audits, and workplace safety actions. She also highlighted cultural integration initiatives between Brazil and China, continuous training programs, and the creation of an internal ESG committee.

The topic of decarbonization gained prominence in the presentation by Beatriz da Cruz Pita, from Carbô, who advocated for a shift in corporate perception. “Decarbonization is still seen by many companies as a cost, when in fact, it is an opportunity,” she noted.

Bruna Neves Napoli, from Casa dos Ventos, presented the company’s engagement with the quilombola community of Gruta dos Brejões, in Bahia’s countryside, showcasing direct social impacts on a population of approximately 300 people. “Any initiative of this nature must be guided by listening to the community. They are the ones who will tell us what the priorities are,” she emphasized.

Other examples included private social investment initiatives, such as those presented by Scheila Tatiana Macedo, from Renova Energia. In Renova’s case, emphasis was placed on the use of public calls with strong community participation, reinforcing local leadership in social projects — a voluntary but strategic model for sustainable development.

Riane Rosa, from SOWITEC, also reinforced the importance of applying ESG practices during the project development phase, ensuring better alignment between environmental impact, economic return, and social benefits.

Throughout the event, it became clear that private social investment, although not legally required, has become a relevant tool for transforming local realities, especially in regions impacted by renewable energy developments.

• iBEM is a pioneering fair and conference taking place from March 24 to 26 in Salvador, at the city’s Convention Center, bringing together all energy sectors and accelerating Brazil’s role as a global reference in diversity, integration, and energy efficiency.