Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca, October 29, 2024. The Bogota Chamber of Commerce launched this Tuesday the Business Sustainability Seal, an innovative initiative that marks a before and after in the certification of sustainable practices in Colombia. This seal arises from the strategic alliance with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, which will be the governing body. The CCB will be responsible for implementing it in companies in Bogotá and Cundinamarca.

According to the report of the Superintendencia de Sociedades 2024, more than 1,200 companies in Colombia have incorporated sustainable practices in their business strategy, generating a combined income of more than $297 billion pesos, which represents 28.3% of the operational income of supervised companies in the country. In addition, 34.1% of these companies have reported significant progress in reducing their carbon footprint.

This seal will facilitate access to international markets that prioritize responsible practices, because it exalts those companies that not only report, but also authentically integrate sustainability into their business model. This seal will validate organizations that demonstrate a real commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability, aligned with the highest international standards.

Ovidio Claros Polanco, executive president of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, underscores the impact of this initiative with a vision of business leadership and invites all companies to join this mission: “With the launch of the Corporate Sustainability Seal, we are recognizing companies that integrate sustainability as a strategic pillar, generating reputational value and positioning them as leaders in an increasingly demanding global environment.This seal is a tangible recognition of the commitment to sustainability, which not only creates economic value for companies, but also connects them with a responsible investment ecosystem, attracting capital and strengthening their long-term competitiveness.”

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, has highlighted the coordinated work in the formulation of an appropriate regulatory framework for companies that implement sustainable practices, highlighting the key role of COP16, and reaffirming through its Directorate of Regulation, that it will work together in the regulation of the guidelines that will establish the criteria for this Sustainability Seal.The conclusions and lessons learned at COP16 will be fundamental in perfecting these guidelines.

Benefits of implementing the seal

• Alignment with international standards: companies will be prepared to compete in global markets that demand environmental, social and economic responsibility.

• Improved corporate reputation: the seal will become a symbol of trust for consumers, investors and business partners, significantly improving the image of companies.

• Access to new investment opportunities: sustainable companies will attract capital from investors interested in responsible business and prepared for the challenges of the future.

• The Bogota Chamber of Commerce will lead the transfer of knowledge and best practices of this model to other chambers in the country, ensuring the effective expansion of the seal nationwide.