Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
50 comments 
São José dos Campos Made History by Becoming the First City in the World to Achieve the ABNT NBR ISO 37125 Certification, Reaching Platinum Level for Its Exemplary Model of Sustainability and Urban Innovation
São José dos Campos achieved an unprecedented feat on Monday (10): it became the first city in the world to receive the ABNT NBR ISO 37125 certification, the highest international recognition focused on urban performance assessment according to ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria.
The municipality obtained the platinum level, the highest classification granted by the standard, consolidating its position as a global benchmark in smart, sustainable, and resilient cities.
The Certification That Puts São José dos Campos on the Map of Model Cities
The announcement was made at the Municipal Hall, in a ceremony with authorities, experts, and representatives from the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). The audit process was conducted by the Technology Innovation Park (PIT), in partnership with the Municipal Government, and validated according to the international guidelines of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
-
From sertanejo star to international investor: Ana Castela invests millions in a mansion in the USA, creates a themed accommodation in Orlando, and shows that the “boiadeira” also wants to grow away from the stage.
-
The 10 most stunning motorhomes in the world: a $3 million trailer with a rooftop nightclub and garage for a Ferrari, “palaces on wheels” with Italian marble, private cinema, and five-star hotel luxury for billionaires.
-
Trump wanted to spend $400 million on the White House, but the courts prohibited the million-dollar construction.
-
How the Egyptians erected giant structures like pyramids, temples, and obelisks without modern technology, cranes, or engines still amazes the world and reveals the power of engineering based on ramps, levers, ropes, and colossal organization.
The ISO 37125 standard complements the already well-known ISO 37120, ISO 37122, and ISO 37123, which analyze indicators of sustainable, smart, and resilient cities. Overall, the new seal assesses 133 ESG indicators, distributed across three main pillars:
- Environmental: greenhouse gas emissions control, afforestation, waste management, conservation of springs, and use of clean energy;
- Social: access to health, education, safety, inclusion, and quality of life;
- Governance: public transparency, administrative efficiency, citizen participation, and strategic use of urban data.
According to ABNT, the ISO 37125 certification is “a step beyond,” as it not only recognizes sustainable policies but requires measurable performance evidence and independent technical auditing — something that only a small group of cities in the world is prepared to meet.
Urban Sustainability and Technological Innovation
The achievement of São José dos Campos reflects a series of practical and verifiable initiatives that the city has been implementing in recent years.
Among them are real-time air quality monitoring, an environmental education program in public schools, the international certification of the treescape, and the conservation of primates in the São Francisco Xavier region.
The city also stands out for its efficiency in selective waste collection, with dozens of PEVs (Voluntary Delivery Points) and a municipal solid waste management system considered a model. In addition, it invests in community urban gardens, revitalization of springs, and expansion of the bike lane network, initiatives that reduce emissions and promote more sustainable mobility.
In 2024, the municipality launched the Carbon Neutral City program, which has support from the Institute for Technological Research (IPT) and FAPESP, aiming to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Excellence in Public Management and Ongoing Commitment
The title of the first city in the world to obtain ISO 37125 did not come by chance. São José dos Campos already had certifications in the ISO 37120, 37122, and 37123 standards, all maintained at the platinum level after audits in 2023 and 2024.
With this new achievement, the city becomes part of a select group of municipalities globally recognized for their data-driven governance, smart urban planning, and administrative transparency.
The certification also strengthens the city’s position in international forums, such as the COP 30, where São José dos Campos will present carbon neutrality projects and innovative urban solutions.
“This recognition proves that well-structured public policies, based on real data and indicators, can generate positive environmental and social impacts,” emphasized Mayor Anderson Farias during the event.
A New Paradigm for Urban Development in Brazil
More than a title, the ISO 37125 certification represents a model of efficient and replicable urban management. It establishes a technical standard that can inspire other Brazilian cities to adopt sustainable practices based on measurable indicators — not just speeches.
With this milestone, São José dos Campos consolidates itself as a living laboratory of urban innovation, combining high technology, public policies, and popular participation for a more balanced and intelligent future.
É, agora só falta retirar os “nóias” do centro da cidade pra ganhar a placa de ouro.
Platina é maior que Ouro.
Expetacular a eficiência que nossa cidade vem conquistando ao longo dos anos. Tanto que seu mérito veio a altura de seu trabalho contínuo. Parabéns a esta linda cidade e sua governança que conquistou e mantém este título. Que sejamos sempre exemplo. Obrigado São José dos Campos.
Desde a gestão de Sérgio Sobral os prefeitos que o sucederam deixaram legados importantes, pois o povo de São José sempre foram cidadãos acima da média , por isso a nossa cidade é maravilhosa e tem essa qualidade de vida, parabéns ao povo e o governantes de nossa cidade.
Por um momento eu li Sérgio Cabral…🤣