COP30 | The Nature COP

Rethinking Industrial Models 

One of this year’s central themes was the shift toward sustainable and responsible supply chains. The goal is clear: integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria across every stage of production, from raw material extraction to finished goods.

During the 15 November session, “From the Forest to the Value Chain,” the UN Global Compact reaffirmed the need for positive-impact supply chains, stronger deforestation prevention, and measurable and traceable actions rather than declarative ones.

Key topics included transparency in purchasing, traceability of raw materials, and responsible cooperation with suppliers and local stakeholders. These priorities resonate strongly with SEAM’s work, particularly through the SEAM Carbon Footprint Project, which supports companies in understanding their impacts across the full value chain.

Mastering Scope 3 has now become a strategic requirement. With the calculation of Scope 3.1, focused on raw materials, SEAM supports its members in mapping their suppliers and assessing related impacts—an essential step toward reducing indirect emissions.

Corporate Responsibility
Building Low-Carbon, Resilient Industrial Models

The discussions in Belém also focused on corporate responsibility in the decarbonization of industrial sectors. Brazil, the host country, aims to play a leading role in the global energy transition. Its ambition: promote Nature-Based Solutions and develop sustainable energy sources.

Among the most notable initiatives:

• the Belém 4X Pledge, designed to significantly increase the production and use of sustainable fuels (biofuels, biogas, hydrogen, e-methane) by 2035.
• The Sustainable Business COP (SB COP) led by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry, created to support how the private sector contributes to climate discussions and to encourage companies to align with global objectives.

For SEAM, this momentum reinforces a conviction: the sustainable transition of industry requires both energy sobriety (Scope 2) and the decarbonization of raw materials and processes (Scope 3). This is the core purpose of SEAM’s reference frameworks, which help manufacturers identify concrete levers to reduce the carbon footprint of abrasives starting from the production phase.

Corporate Responsibility
Building Low-Carbon, Resilient Industrial Models

Beyond the value chain, one issue stood out across the discussions: the need for reliable, verifiable and transparent information. COP30 officially launched the Declaration on the Integrity of Climate Information, a commitment by governments, regulators and organizations, to strengthen scientific accuracy and clarity in all climate-related communication. This initiative responds to a growing concern: climate misinformation and greenwashing undermine trust, and slow real progress.

For industry,  this reinforces the importance of a factual, verifiable, and independently assessed data. This is precisely where SEAM provides value by providing a clear framework based on measurable criteria and third-party evaluation, covering the full spectrum of CSR.

In a context where confidence depends on evidence, SEAM acts as a reassurance mechanism, helping manufacturers communicate responsibly and demonstrate real progress.

COP30 has therefore marked a shift: transparency and traceability have become essential conditions for a genuine, credible transition. For the abrasives sector, this is an opportunity to take action at the source and show that climate efforts rely not on declarations, but on proven results.