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International Seal Recognizes Southeast City as a Global Reference in Innovation, Quality of Life, and Data-Driven Management
São José dos Campos made history by achieving, this Monday (10), an unprecedented recognition: it became the first city on the planet to obtain the ABNT NBR ISO 37125 certification, an international standard that evaluates urban performance under the ESG pillars and grants the platinum level, its highest tier. This achievement places the municipality at the center of global discussions on urban innovation, sustainability, and data-driven public management.
The city now occupies a prominent space among international models of smart urban development, consolidating years of technical planning and structured public policies.
A Certification That Redefines the Concept of Model Cities
The announcement was made during a ceremony at the City Hall, attended by representatives from ABNT, experts, authorities, and teams involved in the evaluation process. The audit was conducted by the Technological Innovation Park, in conjunction with the City Hall, and validated according to international ISO standards.
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The ISO 37125 standard emerges as a direct complement to the ISO 37120, 37122, and 37123 certifications, which measure indicators of sustainable, smart, and resilient cities. In total, the new seal evaluates 133 ESG indicators, organized into three main axes.
In the environmental pillar, factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, spring conservation, waste management, tree cover, and the use of renewable energy are analyzed. Regarding the social axis, the quality of health, education, security, inclusion, and well-being of the population are taken into account. In governance, administrative transparency, data management, public participation, and efficiency of public services are evaluated.
For ABNT, ISO 37125 represents a leap in maturity. It does not merely validate good practices but requires numerical proof, verifiable evidence, and actual performance, something that few cities in the world can demonstrate.
Sustainability in Practice and Technological Advancements
The progress of São José dos Campos is supported by ongoing projects that have gained momentum in recent years. The city has expanded air quality monitoring with real-time systems, implemented environmental education programs in schools, reinforced the certification of its tree assets, and adopted measures to preserve native species, such as primates from the São Francisco Xavier region.
Waste management is also regarded as exemplary. The city maintains dozens of Voluntary Delivery Points, in addition to a structured system of selective collection and processing of solid waste. Urban garden projects, spring recovery, and expansion of the cycling network reinforce the strategy to reduce emissions while promoting sustainable mobility.
In 2024, São José dos Campos took an additional step with the Carbon Neutral City program, developed in partnership with IPT and supported by FAPESP. The goal is to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, positioning the municipality among the most ambitious in the country in decarbonization policies.
Excellent Public Management and International Recognition
The new certification did not arise in isolation. The municipality already held the platinum level in ISO 37120, 37122, and 37123 standards after recent audits. With the inclusion of ISO 37125, São José dos Campos joins an extremely select group of cities formally recognized for their ability to apply data-driven management, smart urban planning, and transparent public policies.
This recognition strengthens the city’s international presence and opens doors for participation in global debates, such as COP 30, where São José dos Campos is expected to present its carbon neutrality strategies and sustainable urban solutions.
During the event, Mayor Anderson Farias highlighted that the achievement demonstrates the impact of public policies based on real indicators and qualified technical management.
A New Path for Brazilian Urbanism
The ISO 37125 certification represents more than a seal: it establishes a replicable urban development model for other Brazilian cities. The focus on measurable data, clear goals, and technical audit creates a solid foundation for effective public policies, far beyond speeches or promises.
With this recognition, São José dos Campos consolidates itself as a true laboratory of innovation. The city demonstrates how technology, social participation, and strategic management can transform urban life, creating more balanced, sustainable, and intelligent pathways for the country’s future.
This international recognition opens up space for many discussions about the future of Brazilian cities. What do you think about this model of sustainability and innovation? Leave your comment and join the debate
Conversa fiada. Não se ver diferença em lugar nenhum. No União as áreas verdes parecem um lixão. Faixas de trânsito confusas e apagadas em várias ruas. Falar que é isso ou aquilo é fácil, sai pra rua perguntar o que os moradores acham.
Com competência se consegue🙌🙌
Ótimo exemplo para que as cidades de todos os Estados possam seguir, para melhorar o meio ambiente e a qualidade de vida da população.