Author: Ana Moeri
The year 2026 begins under the sign of what global leaders call “disruption, not transition.” In a scenario of geoeconomic confrontation, identified by the World Economic Forum as the number one short-term risk, corporate sustainability has ceased to be merely a compliance agenda and has become the central pillar of strategic resilience.
While we observe retreatist movements in powers such as the US , which have repositioned climate as a variable of high political volatility and significant setbacks in the environmental debate, in Brazil (as in licensing), I observe that the role of Brazilian companies becomes even more critical and, paradoxically, advantageous .
The cost of uncertainty vs. ESG predictability
The reversal of environmental policies and the dismantling of regulations in major economies have generated a technical side effect: a reduction in institutional predictability. For the market, this translates into a greater perception of risk, impacting investment decisions and increasing costs associated with carbon-intensive operations and assets.
I can confidently say that remaining active in sustainability initiatives is no longer a matter of “corporate philanthropy,” but of risk management and competitiveness. For years I have observed that companies that maintain clear metrics and commitments to decarbonization ensure a more stable investment horizon amidst geopolitical chaos. When the minimum regulatory standard weakens, the standard demanded by the market rises—and it is up to companies to fill this vacuum with governance, traceability, and integrity.
2026: The Year of Barriers and Opportunities [in trade]
This is the year in which mechanisms such as CBAM (Carbon Border Taxation) and EUDR (EU Anti-Deforestation Act) enter a crucial phase of implementation and application.
A potential advantage for Brazil (provided there is consistency and evidence). While products from countries that have abandoned climate targets may be subject to surcharges, Brazil, by consolidating its Carbon Market ( Law 15.042/2024 ), offers its companies a “regulatory alignment effort” that can help reduce exposure and strengthen the competitiveness of exports in demanding markets such as the European one.
Differentiation in Agriculture
In this sector, I would point out that the weakening of conservation programs in other markets could make Brazilian agriculture—supported by the CAR (Rural Environmental Registry) and the Forest Code—more competitive in markets that demand rigorous traceability.
The Mercosur-EU agreement as a strategic anchor
The recent signing of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union brought a legal innovation, in my view: the Paris Agreement is now an “essential element” of the treaty. This means that sustainability is “anchored” in bilateral trade. For companies, this opens doors to inter-regional value chains in high-tech sectors, such as green hydrogen , critical minerals for batteries, and sustainable biofuels. And, in this context, the country’s environmental reputation and the ability to prove the sustainability of its production chains become even more important.
The role of leadership: complacency is not an option
As rightly pointed out at the last Davos Forum, the cost of hesitation is always greater than the cost of leadership . Mark my words: companies that backtrack now risk becoming technologically outdated , especially in the face of the rapid expansion of clean technologies in markets like China.
Having followed this market for decades, I can say that the path to 2026 is clear: sustainability is the new metric for operational efficiency and legal security. Staying the course is not just about “doing the right thing”; it’s about ensuring your company is seen as a reliable partner in increasingly demanding supply chains and markets driven by criteria of risk, traceability, and climate transition.
Is your company ready to lead in this disruption, or will it merely be a spectator of the new business order?
Article originally published in www.ekosbrasil.org/call-to-action-por-que-a-sustentabilidade-sera-o-diferencial-competitivo-em-2026