The global financial system is undergoing a profound reconfiguration, driven by regulatory pressures, consumers, and especially institutional investors. Funds that apply ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria to their investment decisions have set the pace for the new order. For Brazilian companies, understanding and adapting to this movement has become essential to preserving and expanding their relevance in the international market.
Today, ESG represents a real competitive advantage. More than just reputation, it directly influences access to capital, participation in global value chains, and eligibility for international agreements. It's practically a new language of business: those that don't master it tend to lose ground.
Growth of ESG funds and access to capital
Recent surveys indicate that the integration of ESG factors among assets under management continues to grow globally. According to a 2025 study by Morningstar Sustainablealytics and Morningstar Indexes, which surveyed more than 500 institutional investors responsible for US$19.1 trillion in assets, approximately 44 of these assets already incorporate ESG criteria.
In Brazil, the sustainable funds market continues to expand. A mid-2024 report from Itaú BBA indicated that funds labeled as "Sustainable Investment (SI)" reached R$ 11.4 billion under management in June, a growth of 73 % in the previous six months.
This movement helps make capital more accessible and attractive to companies with robust ESG practices, with the potential to offer better financing conditions, greater liquidity, and more favorable terms.
Green regulatory barriers and the need for immediate adaptation.
International regulations have intensified, directly affecting exporting companies. A prime example is the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), from the European Union, in effect since October 2023. Currently, the CBAM is in a transition phase, requiring importers to report the carbon emissions of imported products. From 2026 onwards, compensation equivalent to the emissions incorporated in the imported goods will be charged. The sectors initially affected include steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen, all of which are carbon-intensive activities. For Brazilian exporting companies, especially those with production in the aforementioned sectors, adaptation is becoming urgent. This requires investments in clean technology, traceability of the production chain, and transparent emissions reporting. Failure to comply can result in significant trade barriers, with a real risk of losing access to important markets.
ESG as a competitive differentiator in global value chains.
Brazilian companies that strategically internalize ESG practices with structured governance gain advantages in negotiations with global buyers, especially in Europe, North America, and Asia. Adopting these standards reduces perceived risks, improves credit ratings, and facilitates international partnerships. ESG ceases to be a cost and becomes added value.
This logic applies to various sectors: renewable energy, technology, agribusiness, infrastructure, food, textiles, tourism, and also to small and medium-sized enterprises and startups that demonstrate adherence to ESG standards. These companies have gained access to global funding platforms, such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), IDB Invest, and other multilateral organizations, which prioritize investments aligned with sustainability.
A historic opportunity for Brazil.
Brazil is experiencing a unique moment to reposition itself globally as a provider of sustainable solutions. There is a strategic window for companies and local governments to articulate an international green business agenda, uniting global competitiveness, socio-environmental responsibility, and sustainable development.
To achieve this, more than institutional rhetoric is needed: it requires technical expertise, corporate governance, transparency, and international coordination. Aligning national potential with global demands is not just a marketing strategy; it is the foundation for lasting competitive advantages.
BRING's vision
In BRING's opinion, international business in Brazil should be guided by a strategic approach with a long-term vision, taking into account the challenges and opportunities of a global market increasingly regulated by ESG standards.
Brazilian companies that adopt this stance will be better positioned to access qualified capital, establish international partnerships, and expand their reach in a sustainable and consistent manner. ESG is no longer an optional differentiator: it has become a prerequisite for operating on a global scale.
