In an interview with Poder360, Monica Kruglianskas states that the agenda already affects credit, market and competitiveness
Pressures for more expensive credit, regulatory requirements and changes in global chains have transformed sustainability into an economic factor for companies. The agenda, previously associated with reputation, is now directly linked to the competitiveness and positioning of countries and companies.
This scenario should be at the center of debates at , an event that brings together companies, investors, the public sector and startups to discuss the direction of sustainable transition. In an interview with Poder360the director of Sustainability and Partnerships at , s, states that the challenge is no longer understanding the topic and has become transforming this understanding into an economic decision.
According to her, companies more exposed to climate risks or with poorly traceable chains already face more restrictive credit conditions and greater demands from investors.
The expert also states that access to international markets has come to depend on proof of origin, traceability and regulatory compliance, which has led companies to reorganize production chains.
For sectors integrated into global chains, the loss of competitiveness has already begun. “Those who position themselves first capture value; those who react later tend to operate at a disadvantage”he declares.
Kruglianskas assesses that Brazil has relevant advantages, such as a relatively cleaner energy matrix and bioenergy potential. The risk, according to her, lies in the ability to transform these assets into scale, productivity and innovation.
Read the full interview below:
Poder360: When did the sustainability agenda stop being a reputational one and became an economic issue?
Monica Kruglianskas: When it started to affect cost, risk and market access. This has become more evident in recent years, when energy, production chains and the use of resources began to directly impact investment and operating decisions. Today, it’s no longer about commitment or reputation; it’s about competitiveness. Understanding climate, energy and social challenges has become a prerequisite for the operation and longevity of the business.
Today, how are cost of capital and access to markets already putting pressure on companies?
The pressure is already real. Companies with greater exposure to climate risks or poorly traceable chains face greater demands from investors and more restrictive credit conditions. Furthermore, cost and energy security have become central variables for practically all sectors. Access to markets also depends on proof of origin, traceability and regulatory compliance, which has led companies to reorganize production chains.
Whoever doesn’t make the transition now will lose competitiveness in how long?
In some sectors, it is already losing. For those who export or depend on global chains, the impact already appears in contracts, financing and market access, and tends to intensify. This is a structural change. Those who position themselves first capture value; Those who react later tend to operate at a disadvantage.
Is Brazil well positioned or is it at risk of being left behind?
Brazil is well positioned in terms of assets, such as relatively cleaner energy, bioenergy and a relevant production base. The risk arises if we are unable to convert this advantage into scale, productivity, innovation and execution capacity. The country can have an advantage and still not capture value.
What is the main bottleneck today: regulation, financing or execution?
The main challenge is not a lack of initiative, it is coordination. We see companies advancing, but still in a less integrated way. There is a lack of alignment between public policy, financing and execution, and between private actors themselves.
What should this year’s Horizons show about the future of transition?
Horizons reflects this phase change. The agenda left the conceptual field and entered implementation. What should become more evident is that it is no longer about isolated initiatives, but the ability to integrate technology, financing, governance and operations.
Throughout your career, was there a moment when you realized that the agenda had changed level?
It was a gradual process, but it became clearer in recent years, when these themes began to enter companies’ strategic decisions. There was a change in the type of conversation: less focus on commitment and more on economic viability and execution. The agenda began to directly influence investment, risk and operations.
Among all these fronts, which do you consider most decisive in accelerating the transition?
The capacity for coordination, including in the private sector. Companies are moving forward, but still in a poorly articulated way, which limits scale. Furthermore, the ability to operate in an environment of continuous change and still deliver results becomes a competitive differentiator.
SERVICE
On May 6th and 7th, 2026, São Paulo will host the . The event brings together companies, investors, public sector representatives and startups to discuss topics such as energy, finance, infrastructure, technology and bioeconomy.
Participation is free.
