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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 on Monday (10) by achieving an unprecedented recognition: it became the first city in the world to obtain the ABNT NBR ISO 37125 certification, an international standard that evaluates urban performance based on ESG pillars and grants the platinum level, its highest tier. This achievement positions the municipality at the center of global discussions on urban innovation, sustainability, and data-driven public management.
Thus, the city 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 Municipal Hall, attended by representatives from ABNT, specialists, authorities, and teams involved in the evaluation process. The audit was conducted by the Technology Innovation Park in conjunction with the City Hall and validated according to international ISO standards.
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The ISO 37125 standard directly complements 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.
The environmental pillar analyzes factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, spring conservation, waste management, urban tree cover, and renewable energy use. Regarding the social axis, the quality of health, education, security, inclusion, and well-being of the population are taken into account. Governance evaluates administrative transparency, data management, public participation, and efficiency of public services.
For ABNT, ISO 37125 represents a leap in maturity. It does not just validate good practices, but demands numerical proof, auditable evidence, and real performance, something that few cities worldwide can demonstrate.
Sustainability in Practice and Technological Advancements
The advancement 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 heritage, and adopted measures to preserve native species, such as primates in the region of São Francisco Xavier.
Waste management is also considered exemplary. The city maintains dozens of Voluntary Delivery Points, as well as a structured selective collection system and solid waste processing. Urban garden projects, spring recovery, and expansion of the cycling infrastructure 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.
Excellence in 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 following 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, intelligent urban planning, and transparent public policies.
This recognition strengthens the international presence of the city and opens doors for participation in global debates, such as COP 30, where São José dos Campos is expected to present its carbon neutralization strategies and sustainable urban solutions.
During the event, Mayor Anderson Farias highlighted that this 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 cities in Brazil. The focus on measurable data, clear goals, and technical auditing creates a solid foundation for efficient 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 paths for the country’s future.
This international recognition opens 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
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