Brazil’s Minister of Environment, Marina Silva, signed a protocol of intentions yesterday with the Caixa Econômica Federal (Federal Savings Bank) (CEF) during the Bank’s Eco Attitude seminar in BrasÀlia.
According to the president of the CEF, Jorge Mattoso, the premise is to integrate socio-environmental questions with the business of the bank.
“One of the Bank’s principles of corporate environmental policy is that banks play a fundamental role in the transition to more sustainable forms of production, business, and services, acting as inducers of socio-environmental behavior when they incorporate the environmental variable into their credit policies.”
The purpose of the document signed yesterday is to raise the consciousness of bank employees, clients, and suppliers regarding the importance of the environment, as well as proposing financial mechanisms to support social and environmental development projects.
According to Minister Silva, the agreement will open greater opportunities in the context of the Kyoto Protocol.
“In addition to other activities on the waste treatment agenda, there will be the opportunity for small local communities to practice recycling through the Federal Savings Bank’s project support credit line,” the Minister affirmed.
Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein
