Ingenio San Antonio (ISA), a renowned world-class agro-energetic mill, has deservedly been awarded an International Sustainability Awards in 2024 for its groundbreaking worker health and safety program called “Adelante Initiative”. This honor recognizes ISA’s significant contributions to responsible agriculture practices and sustainable approaches.

The Adelante Initiative, launched in 2018, is a pioneering effort created by Ingenio San Antonio (ISA) and La Isla Network, with support from Bonsucro, Nicaragua’s Sugar Producers Association, and the German Investment and Development Company (DEG). It focuses on researching global risks faced by workers in labor-intensive industries, particularly those related to unregulated high-work intensities and occupational exposures such as heat stress caused by climate change.

Key features of the Adelante Initiative include:

• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
• Occupational Risk Research
• Global Safety Standards

The Adelante Initiative aims to tackle heat stress, which could make 30-40% of annual daylight hours too hot for work in some regions of the world. It seeks to provide scientific data and best practices for worker protection, with potential applications beyond the sugar industry. ISA’s excellence was recognized in 2022 when it was invited to the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Prep4Change program, which aims to improve worker safety in Central America. The initiative has also attracted interest from industries in Spain, Greece, and the U.S., highlighting its global relevance.

The Adelante Initiative’s sustainability is underscored by:

Comprehensive Training: Development of materials to help other companies implement appropriate interventions.

Evidence-Based Interventions: Design and implementation of a four-component intervention (Rest, Shade, Hydration, Sanitation) to reduce heat stress.

Health Monitoring: Pre- and post-intervention assessments to measure changes in health outcomes and job performance.

The innovative Rest, Shade, Hydration, and Sanitation (RSHS) program is the first to scientifically study climate change’s effects on workers. Its success stems from collaboration between ISA, La Isla Network, and other partners, establishing best practices in occupational safety and health. The integration of RSHS guidelines into Bonsucro’s Production Standard update in December 2023 underscores the initiative’s global impact.

The Adelante Initiative fosters sustainability and knowledge sharing across industries globally. It supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing labor practices for better health (SDG 3), protecting labor rights and reducing health burdens at work (SDG 8), promoting sustainable agricultural practices (SDG 12), and mobilizing global partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17).