CNH Joins UN Global Compact Brazil For Sustainability

CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment, technology, and services, has announced that it is joining the United Nations Global Compact Brazil Network. This makes CNH the first agricultural machinery manufacturer to take this step. This decision reinforces the company's commitment to promoting sustainable development while increasing its involvement with local initiatives in Brazil, where agribusiness significantly contributes to economic and social progress.

The UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with over 25,000 participants from 167 countries. This initiative encourages companies to align their strategies and operations with basic principles regarding human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. The goal is to mobilize the private sector to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although CNH has been a signatory at the global level, joining the Brazil Network highlights its commitment to addressing local priorities in one of the world’s leading agricultural countries.

CNH will focus its engagement in Brazil through its involvement in the Platform for Sustainable Agriculture. This coalition aims to promote a more responsible and inclusive agricultural system. The platform emphasizes three specific SDGs: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). These goals address the urgent need for improved food security and environmental sustainability as well as the rising demand for responsible practices across Brazil’s extensive agricultural landscape.

Rafael Miotto, President for Latin America at CNH, believes agriculture is fundamental not just to Brazil’s economy but also to global sustainability. “We are certain that agribusiness is central to Brazil’s economy and increasingly crucial for sustainable development,” Miotto explained. “Once again, CNH, alongside our Case IH and New Holland brands, takes the lead in addressing today’s challenges. CNH is the first agricultural machinery manufacturer to join the Global Compact Brazil Network.”

CNH’s involvement builds on its broader sustainability strategy. This strategy addresses global issues tied to climate change, resource efficiency, and social equity. While the Brazil platform spotlights SDGs 2, 12, and 13, CNH also prioritizes other related goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The company recognizes that agricultural sustainability links to labor conditions, rural community development, and fair access to opportunities, as well as to environmental care.

Globally, CNH has received commendations for its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership. The company ranks in the top five percent of firms worldwide in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook and secured second place in the electrical machinery and components category of the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Index. CNH has earned high scores from the CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) in both Climate Action and Water Security, highlighting its credibility in pursuing sustainability goals. These achievements result from years of investment in innovation, such as developing more efficient machinery, precision agriculture technologies, and alternative energy solutions.

One of CNH’s key sustainability projects promotes energy independence for farmers. Recently, the company expanded its capabilities by acquiring the UK-based firm Bennamann, which creates solutions enabling farmers to produce renewable energy from agricultural waste. This effort aligns with CNH’s vision of circular agriculture, where waste serves as a resource and farming also contributes to sustainable energy.

Brazil, with its large arable land and role in global food supply chains, is crucial for advancing the SDGs related to agriculture and climate. However, the sector faces urgent challenges, including balancing productivity with environmental protection and social inclusion. By joining the UN Global Compact Brazil Network, CNH positions itself as a partner in tackling these challenges and as a driving force for dialogue and action among stakeholders in agribusiness.

This decision also reflects the increasing significance of regional engagement in sustainability. While global standards offer guiding principles, local networks enable companies to confront specific challenges and opportunities based on national conditions. In Brazil, this means collaborating with government agencies, civil society groups, and industry peers to craft solutions suited to the country’s agricultural and environmental context.

As the first agricultural machinery manufacturer to officially join the UN Global Compact Brazil Network, CNH’s action may inspire others in the industry. By integrating sustainability into its main strategy and committing to global and local goals, the company shows how machinery and technology providers can actively influence the future of agriculture.

Through its Case IH and New Holland brands, CNH is already well-established across Latin America. This new role in the UN Global Compact emphasizes the company's aim to provide not just machinery but also leadership in sustainable farming practices. In doing so, CNH reinforces the idea that agribusiness is not only an economic engine but also a crucial player in environmental protection and social progress.

As global conversations surrounding food security, climate change, and sustainable growth grow more urgent, CNH’s decision signifies an important step for the agricultural sector. By linking global leadership with local actions in Brazil, the company aims to foster a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agricultural future.