Adecoagro does not consider sustainability as a formula, recipe or technology but rather as an attitude, a way of doing things that requires an integral vision of the inter-relation among financial, social and environmental factors.

From a global viewpoint, this concept takes into account the aspects that allow maintaining the system´s productive capacity with time, without deteriorating the resources involved, promoting social development and supporting future generations.

Diagram 1: Basis of sustainability

By changing the scale to a more operational level, more accuracy is required in these concepts. Not only the local daily detail should be considered, but also the indirect consequences on the nearby global environment should be assessed.

Even though the meaning of a sustainable system has not been completely defined, we understand that the current science offers enough tools to assess some aspects or characteristics that make a system NON-sustainable. This is why the development and implementation of Good Practices to mitigate negative aspects is a priority. Even if the sustainable character is never achieved, the search for this standard can still be considered a pathway to continued improvement.

Applying these concepts to Adecoagro´s productive reality, we can conceptualize that the intensification of production, as a response to the constant increase in the demand of food and renewable energies, requires the incorporation of technologies that inevitably modify the environment. This is why we are designing a policy that allows defining and implementing environmental criteria for all Adecoagro´s operating units. This environmental policy will be based on the environmental education of its people, and its main goals will include:

1. Complying with all applicable current standards in each region.
2. Defining a sustainable production model.
3. Developing and implementing the use of Good Practices that:
    -  Promote the protection of natural resources (soil, water and air).
    -  Promote the preservation of biodiversity with human activity integration.
    -  Improve productive efficiencies in the use of supplies and energy.
    -  Mitigate the risks of negative impact on the environment.
    -  Prevent pollution.
    -  Stimulate waste recycling.
    -  Assess and attempt to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Implementing a management system aiming at the continued improvement of performance.

These concepts will be added to the relevant environmental management plans of each operating unit and will permit the continued improvement of Adecoagro´s environmental performance, at the same time providing transparency. As human activity is a constant flow of ideas, developments and practices, where knowledge and circumstances change rapidly, it is essential to incorporate innovation to efficiently adapt to these changing situations.

We have undertaken this commitment to protect the environment and resources for future generations, adding value to its assets, land, people and projects. This added value not only applies to its direct environment; Adecoagro extends it by engaging in the global debate on sustainability through participation in different discussion forums such as Sustainable Food Laboratory, Better Sugarcane Initiative, Roundtable on Responsible Soybeans, Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, Sustainability Standards for Biofuels. In these forums, Adecoagro cooperates in the development of sustainable production standards for food and renewable energies. It also participates in national and international events, actively collaborating in spreading good agricultural practices.