Vale knows that mining activities generate impacts and so it works to control and reduce them. For this reason, in 2011, Vale was rated the best mining company at managing climate change, participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)’s ranking for the second consecutive year. In 2012, the company plans to invest US$1.65 billion in social and environmental actions, and for the second year in a row, it is a member of the São Paulo Stock Exchange’s Corporate Sustainability Index (known by Portuguese acronym ISE), reflecting Vale’s commitment to the communities where it operates. The Vale Natural Reserve in Linhares (Espírito Santo) is classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as it conserves one of the last remaining areas of Atlantic Forest in southeast Brazil. Carajás National Forest, a Federal Conservation Unit preserved and monitored by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), is home to Carajás Iron Mine, which covers less than 3% of the reserve.

In addition to legal obligations and management of the impacts of its operations and projects, Vale voluntarily contributes to and invests in the conservation of natural ecosystems and best practices in sustainable development. For example, it protects more than 9,300 km² of natural habitat in Brazil, covering the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes, as well as transition areas between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. The company also protects areas outside Brazil – Boreal Forest in Canada, Wallacea in Indonesia, and areas in New Caledonia – all of high value to biodiversity conservation. Accordingly, Vale considers it important to refute certain accusations that have been made against the company regarding its activities.