Intermach innovates in ESG in the segment of fairs in SC and receives Carbon Neutral Certificate and Seal

Achievement is the result of carrying out an inventory and neutralizing the event’s emissions.

Intermach – International Fair and Congress of Technology, Machinery, Equipment, Automation and Services for the Metalworking Industry, held from July 15 to 18, 2025, in Joinville (SC), won the Emissions Compensation Certificate and the Carbon Neutral Seal, after fully neutralizing the greenhouse gases (GHG) generated during the event. The fair is the first in Santa Catarina to achieve certification and the seal through a joint work of the organizer Messe Brasil and the specialized consultancy, the startup AKVO ESG.

The 2025 GHG Emissions Inventory, prepared in accordance with NBR ISO 14064-1 (2022) and the guidelines of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program, shows that the fair’s activities resulted in 495,653 tons of CO2 equivalent. Of this total, most of it, equivalent to 99.2%, was due to Scope 3, which refers to indirect emissions, outside the immediate control of the event. The main sources of this item, which is not mandatory for obtaining the certificate and seal, were business trips by exhibitors, visitors and partners, and the generation of waste, which was segregated, recycled or disposed of properly.

Scope 2 emissions, also related to direct emissions, but referring to electricity consumption, represented 0.8% of the total. Finally, Scope 1, which refers to direct emissions, had no records.

To fully offset the environmental impact, the Intermach organization has acquired 496 carbon credits from REDD+ projects, ensuring the neutralization of emissions from all scopes. This initiative strengthens forest conservation and biodiversity protection, in addition to generating socio-environmental benefits that are connected to global decarbonization commitments and the UN 2030 Agenda, especially SDG 13 – Action Against Global Climate Change.

“Intermach brought one of the most complete calculations of the events market in its inventory, including third-party emissions, which is considered a non-mandatory item for the sector, but where the largest volume of emissions was concentrated”, evaluates the technical director of AKVO ESG, Thomaz Tomazoni. “The result was possible due to the quality of the data collected directly from the source, consolidating itself as an important differential in relation to other certified events, which do not include non-mandatory items in their reports”, he adds.

With the certification and seal granted by AKVO ESG, Intermach joins the select group of sustainable events that publicly commit to combating climate change. The Carbon Neutral Seal won in 2025 will be a reference for new actions and may be renewed in the next edition of the event, through the preparation of a new inventory and continuous implementation of reduction and compensation strategies.

“This achievement demonstrates our concern to align Intermach with the global climate change agenda and the guidelines that have been worked on by the industries in the segment, reconciling technological innovation, economic development and sustainability”, highlights Richard Spirandelli, director of Messe Brasil, responsible for organizing the event.

“With the certification, Intermach reinforces its leading role in promoting an innovative, competitive industry committed to the transition to a low-carbon economy,” adds Spirandelli.

RECYCLING PROGRAM

Intermach had an internal recycling program, covering all stages: assembly, holding the event and dismantling. The materials were segregated and sent for recycling, covering 1,200 kg of mixed paper, 1,400 kg of carpet, 4,800 kg of synthetic material, 2,063 kg of cardboard, 1,219 kg of plastic and four wooden dumpsters (about 10,000 kg). In addition, there was a production of 9,300 kg of common/non-recyclable garbage, destined for the landfill.

“This is a work that we have been developing for several years in our fairs and gains strength with the proposal to neutralize emissions, expanding the sustainability of the event”, explains the director of Messe Brasil.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF EVENTS TO ESG

The events sector has been structuring itself to contribute to the current scenario where climate change is increasingly present in the debates and in the mobilization of various global agents in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as campaigns such as the Race to Zero and the Paris Agreement. Numerous and growing actions have been worked on, contributing to the achievement of the goal of neutrality of CO2 emissions by 2050.

The events market in Brazil contributes significantly to the economy and Sustainable Events emerge as an alternative to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions. “Intermach’s voluntary initiative to neutralize emissions contributes to harmonizing economic and social development, collaborating with the equation of the global climate challenge”, highlights the director of AKVO ESG.