ABSTRACT
This chapter provides Brazil profiles, including key information about the relevant corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR) history, country-specific issues, trends, research, education and leading organizations. Despite a strategic approach to CSR being encouraged in Brazil since the early 1990s, in particular by business associations, CSR activities in the country remain mainly focused on philanthropy and community investment in domestic issues. As a strong emerging economy, Brazil is among the biggest players shaping the world's economy. The situation of Brazil's black population has historical roots, since the slavery abolition process was not accompanied by a governmental policy to include the former slaves. The CSR culture in Brazil is rapidly disseminating in the private sector. In Brazil, as in many other developing countries, legislation is not such an effective driver for CSR. Besides government regulation, Brazil has a number of voluntary codes, amongst which the Brazilian Code of Corporate Governance is particularly relevant.
