Algoritmo 5. Algoritmo que dice si dos curvaturas son semejantes de acuerdo al parámetro de tolerancia
5.1. COMPORTAMIENTO DEL ERROR PARA EL MÉTODO DE SELECCIÓN DE CENTROS PLANTEADO
Fibria has been seeking to broaden its relations with local communities, by increasing dialogue and attention to criti- cism and suggestions from local residents and community leaders in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Espírito Santo, Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul. In order to monitor how the company is regarded by the local population, Fibria hired specialized consultants1 to interview a selection of people in different parts of the country.
The interviews, addressing the ten main issues identified in the Materiality Matrix, took place between September 2011 and February 2012, seven of them being face-to-face and five by telephone.
Summaries of the interviews and critical analysis of the responses by the researchers are shown below. The full inter- views and audio excerpts are available on the website: www.fibria.com.br/rs2011.
1. Prof. Adriana M. Imperador, Prof. Giselle P. Sancinetti and Prof. Gunther Brucha.
Critical analysis of the responses
Impact of the eucalyptus plantations on biodiversity
In general, the interviewees do not cite any significant impact by Fibria on local biodiversity. Some mentioned that there was significant impact in the past, but now the company invests in programs for the recovery of degraded areas, thereby helping to maintain the local biodiversity.
Fi br ia | S ust ain ab ili ty R epor t 20 11Certification and voluntary commitments
In contrast to the reports of previous years (2009 and 2010), the interviewees, on the whole, demonstrated knowledge about certification, which reflects a certain level of confidence in the social, economic and environmental aspects of Fibria’s activities.
The interviews reflect a lack of clarity regarding Fibria’s activities in certain communities in Espírito Santo and Bahia, particularly in regard to its environmental policies. They also talk about the need for clarification regarding the criteria for forest certification.
Ethics
This aspect was one of those with the highest approval ratings, and notably Fibria’s posture regarding community re- lations in general, its consideration of the opinions, suggestions and criticism from local communities and the fulfilling of its commitments towards local communities.
Use of water
It was noted that the interviewees had difficulty in talking about issues relating to water resources. In general, they believe that Fibria treats the water it uses before discharging it and that there is no significant impact from the use of water in the cultivation of eucalyptus. One interviewee in particular mentioned problems relating to a floodgate not far from an Amerindian village in the municipality of Aracruz (Espírito Santo state), which used to cause flooding in the past.
Strategy / commitment to sustainability
The communities expect the company to collaborate in the developing of social projects and some of the interviewees mentioned that even after being nurtured for a certain period of time, the projects did not achieve a degree of auto- nomy that would enable them to become sustainable without investment from Fibria.
Many interviewees mentioned the development of their municipality since Fibria’s arrival. For example, one says that Três Lagoas grew in several respects, such as commerce, infrastructure, and industrialization, as well as the contribution to income generation in the community.
Most interviewees made a positive point about the generation of employment, either directly by Fibria or indirectly through service providers. It is worth emphasizing the interview with Nazine Bittencourt Ribeiro, president of COMDI- CA (Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Arroio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul), who tells of the expectations created amongst the residents of her “little” municipality, who she tells were excited by the possibility of Fibria installations there, which were subsequently frustrated, thereby compromising the credibility of the company and its good relations with local residents.
Representatives of communities in the south of Bahia state, who were until recently involved with the illegal production of charcoal, call for the hiring of local labor, claiming that the company does not generate employment in their commu- nities. It should be pointed out that the issue of a decline in the level of income and benefits as a result of the change in company policy from direct employment to outsourcing is one of the chief criticisms made by the communities in the states of Espírito Santo and Bahia.
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Relationship with neighboring communities
Most of the accounts of the company’s relations with neighboring communities are positive, as in the previous year. Although the communities consider the passing on of information to be clear, the interviewees indicate an information gap when it comes to the positive effects of the forestry operations. The visits to the communities by technical specia- lists were considered to be satisfactory. The interviews revealed a latent desire for the hiring of local suppliers and for community participation in environmental education programs.
In general, the interviewees saw changes in Fibria’s attitude towards working and communicating with local commu- nities and recognized that this is a good time to plan for more consistent future action. At any rate, they recognize the positive changes that have occurred.
Forest partners (wood suppliers)
Here again, a change was seen in the interviews in relation to the reports for 2009 and 2010. The interviewees showed themselves to be well-informed regarding forest partnerships and, according to some, topics such as this and certifi- cation were given priority in meetings between the community and Fibria. It is important to note the interview with Osmar (Ribeirão Residents’ Association – Alcobaça, in Bahia state), who says that the partners do not adopt the same posture as the company regarding planted forests, thereby putting environmental factors at risk.
Environmental risks
In a general sense, the interviewees do not feel they are at risk because of the company’s presence in their municipality, although some statements bring up a lack of information regarding potential environmental hazards.
Emissions, effluents and waste
The statements are positive with regard to controls over the effluents discharged by Fibria’s mills and air pollution. On the other hand, control of soil pollution, expansion of the forest recovery areas and control of odors generated by the mills earned poor ratings. In general, a lack of knowledge on the part of the interviewees was noted with regard to the last item, despite mention of problems relating to odor at certain times of the year. One interviewee mentioned respiratory problems in the Indian community of Comboios (Aracruz, in Espírito Santo state), which in that person’s opinion were related to Fibria’s emissions.
Relationship with specific communities
This refers to Indian and black communities, traditional fishing settlements and those of landless rural workers that are directly or indirectly related to the company’s activities in the region. Several interviewees said that they had had problems in the past, particularly in regard to land ownership and eucalyptus cultivation in areas occupied by traditional communities, but that nowadays it is dialogue that prevails.
Fi br ia | S ust ain ab ili ty R epor t 20 11Summaries of the interviews
Érico Carlos dos Santos Miranda – President of the Taquari Association of Small-scale Farmers – Bahia state (10/2/2012)
Érico Carlos dos Santos Miranda, President of the Taquari Association of Small-scale Farmers (Bahia state) was very pleased to contribute the information requested, recognizing that this was an opportunity to disclose information and situations that will contribute to good neighborly relations between Fibria and the local community. Asked about envi- ronmental matters, Erik commented that, "Regarding the question of the environment, there are many planted areas, left as reserves. The company actually leaves more reserves than the farmers used to, but still many rivers dry up, few fruit trees are planted, little is done for the environment, and this has to be more transparent, for the community to see... We hear comments that the river is drying up and that the eucalyptus is harmful, and since we don’t participate in the activities, we don’t know the truth of the matter. We need this transparency so that, in addition to having the knowledge, we can also collaborate, if that’s possible." As for the social factors, Erik is scathing about employment generation and other actions that could contribute to the development of the local community, such as collaboration in health and education: "So, Fibria needs to participate more. It needs to listen more to the community, which lives almost 90% on what the local companies provide. We depend directly on the public authorities in our region, on the government, but mainly on the companies. Fibria did not help in the renovation of a school, Fibria did not help to reno- vate a first-aid post. Fibria has not generated employment, perhaps because of a contractual process involving outsour- ced companies." Eric told us that the work with charcoal ovens, which cause social and environmental impacts on the community, as well as affecting Fibria’s forestry activities, has been terminated, but the workers need alternative work, to generate income and avoid returning to that unpleasant job: "Charcoal has stopped in our community, which had 300 ovens, all of which have been knocked down. Our community needs jobs. It is necessary and it is possible, if there is a good alliance between the company and the community. It is small community, easy to resolve... We won’t make charcoal, but we want jobs." Eric believes that Fibria should get together with other local businesses and propose a plan for generating employment. He believes that a policy of transparent communication between the community and Fibria can yield mutual benefits, and once again criticizes the outsourcing of services provided to the company: "It's time for the company to play for the team; let's go to work, let’s correct the errors, let’s go! Because we are all human beings and need to survive. Because the contractors want to extract as much profit as they can, at the people’s expen- se. Fibria is to blame. So Fibria has to call its contractors and make its demands: "We are having problems because of you. Let's share things equally; you are being paid for this." As for the environment, Erik recognizes the opportunity Fibria has to bring the community in as a project partner and, with that, he believes the actions aimed at environmental conservation can be even more effective: "I believe it can improve further; that it’s not so bad, but it can be made even better. That includes holding lectures, teaching the community what a reserve is, what mustn’t be destroyed, what can be preserved, and what has to be preserved. So I think that even in biodiversity, in the environmental problems, if the community and the company are good neighbors, the company will have a partner that defends it, once they are informed... I think that if we bring the company and the community together, many good things will come of it, for the good of nature, for the sake of the environment, for the general well-being. We are afraid that the rivers will dry up, we are afraid that the land, some time in the future, will not be so productive. So we worry a lot about this. About the preventive care for the environment. We worry. It's time we played on the same team and sought to improve our community, in a general sense."
Alexandre Evaldo Lohn / President of the Capão Bonito Wood Cooperative (COOPEMADE), in São Paulo state (14/10/2011)
Alexandre Evaldo Lohn, president of the Capão Bonito Wood Cooperative (COOPEMADE), in São Paulo state, told us that Fibria plays an important social role in his region, since it provides assistance to several cooperatives, thereby stimu-
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lating employment generation in a municipality where professional placement opportunities are very scarce. Alexandre believes that the company has made the effort to learn about the community’s problems and helped to encounter solutions, which has reflected positively on its activities in the municipality. With regard to the planted forests, Alexan- dre believes that this is done in a sustainable manner, in accordance with the certification standards: “I think it is very good, because I can see that in our business they are asking for the areas to be certified, so that one can be certain of the origin and that everything is in accordance with the requirements”. When asked about Fibria’s forest partnerships, Alexandre said he doesn’t know much about them, but believes in the company’s support to the participants in the program: “I remember when, in the part they do together with the people who do the planting, they demanded that it was all done in accordance with the standards required for planting, at the correct distance from rivers, streams and springs; I think that’s great”.
Ivamara Santos Oliveira / Angelim II Association of Native Seedling Producers, Conceição da Barra, in Es- pírito Santo state (29/9/2011)
Ivamara Santos Oliveira, of the Angelim II Association of Native Seedling Producers, Conceição da Barra, in Espírito Santo state, highlights the important contribution Fibria has made to reforesting hillsides in her municipality seedlings of native species produced by the association. This activity has helped to generate income in the community and also yields environmental benefits. Ivamara emphasizes the positive social changes resulting from Fibria’s activities in her community: “Until 6 years ago we didn’t have any guaranteed income, we couldn’t assume any debts, as we had no way to pay them off, but now it’s different, we can take on that debt, confident in our production. Before, we just got by; our sustenance came from making brooms. We used to go out into the forest to collect vines, facing the risk of snake bites, wasps nests, all these venomous creatures. But not now, since Fibria came into our lives. They built this plant nursery here, for us, and then everything changed. Now we have our own homes, we have food to eat at mealti- mes. Before, we didn’t have any of this. So I think that our lives, for us in the association, have changed a lot since Fibria came here and settled in our midst”. Ivamara took advantage of the interview to give her opinion about the illegal production of charcoal in her region: “Here in our community, not everybody is a member of the association. There are about ten members in the community, whereas the others aren’t members. For example, some deal in charcoal, and it’s easy money, but it’s not a nice way to work. Some projects have been drawn up for these other people to be able to work, but they think the money comes too slowly. Well, in my opinion, although the money comes more slowly, this is offset by the fact that it’s doing something right”.
Juan Jimenez Jurado Jr. / Batucando Project – Asa Branca Development Institute, Santa Branca, in São Paulo state (12/10/2011)
Juan Jimenez Jurado Jr. is a musician, founder of the Batucando Project and a representative of the Asa Branca Deve- lopment Institute, in the municipality of Santa Branca (São Paulo state). Since 2001, he has been developing activities with a band of children and adolescents whose parents are in custody for problems relating to drug and alcohol abuse. He tells us that the company brought many direct and indirect jobs, with suppliers also coming in because of Fibria. Juan believes that forest certification is important and shows that Fibria cares about being a correct and serious business, but he mentions both positive and negative points about forest partnerships: “They [Fibria] have leased a large number of our fields and farms, or else they go to the owner and offer incentives. On one hand it is good, but on the other it isn’t. When I was small, I would go into the fields and see maize, sugar cane, coffee plantations, cattle. Nowadays, it’s not as if they don’t exist anymore, but if I go to the fields and farms today, I see eucalyptus, eucalyptus, and more eucalyptus. I also see cattle, other plantations, but not so many. This isn’t Fibria’s fault. If I was thinking about beef or dairy cattle nowadays, you go off and make a big investment, spend a lot of time, a lot of money, but the profit is very low. Yet with the eucalyptus the profit is greater. Fibria isn’t to blame for this; the problem is with the whole system”. Juan shows concern over issues relating to water, but believes that Fibria adopts an ethical attitude in relation
Fi br ia | S ust ain ab ili ty R epor t 20 11to this resource: “At the Jacareí mill they use water from the River Paraíba and a portion of the water is returned to the river in a clean state. They use the water and treat it so that it is clean when it goes back into the river. They have this concern about water, precisely because clean water, a few years from now, is going to be a rare commodity”. With regard to odors, the musician told us that, “20 years ago, the smell was really strong. Now I think there have been a lot of studies, a lot of investment, because it needs to be so. It is not fair for us who live here, nearby, to have to breathe in an awful odor of sulfur, and now that isn’t the case. I think that Fibria now has modern filters”.
Júlio César Florentino Perini, President of the Association of Residents of São Pedro, Pindorama and Chic-Chic (AMBSPPC), Aracruz, in Espírito Santo state (29/9/2011)
Júlio Perini is actively involved in his municipality, seeking dialogue with local businesses and authorities with a view to improving the population’s quality of life. He supports movements that complain to the Public Prosecution Service about transportation, education and conditions in the schools. He is also director of the union of local public servants in the municipality of Aracruz, and he monitors the environmental licensing. As president of the Barra do Riacho Residents’ Association, Júlio sits on a number of boards, such as the Jurong shipyard, Portocel, the Barra do Riacho