São Paulo encourages reforestation and ecological conservation.

One of the biggest challenges for restoration and reforestation programs is securing funding to put good ideas into practice. The São Paulo state government has found a pioneering way to make environmental actions viable by granting the right to exploit carbon credits, biodiversity, and other assets generated by the projects. The State Program for Ecological Restoration and Conservation was launched by the São Paulo State Secretariat for the Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (Semil), with investors. The model will be open to public consultation to receive contributions from the population.

“This is a pioneering initiative in the country and a milestone for the advancement of reforestation and the green economy in São Paulo and Brazil,” explained the Secretary of Semil, Natália Resende . “We will transfer ownership of the environmental credits and assets derived from the project to the provider, creating a direct economic incentive for the maintenance of the areas.” The initiative was aligned with the climate goals of the State of São Paulo, especially the 2050 Climate Action Plan and the State Plan for Climate Adaptation and Resilience.

These assets can be certified and traded on the market, expanding the reach and economic attractiveness of the actions. Based on the National Policy for Payment for Environmental Services and recognized by Federal Law No. 14.119/2021, the model adopted the logic of payment for results, linking remuneration to the proven delivery of benefits such as carbon sequestration, protection of water sources, biodiversity conservation, and soil recovery. This ensures the government does not lose ownership of the treated areas.

The selection of projects will be done through a competitive procedure, with objective criteria defined in the call for proposals. The proposal is already in public consultation , open for contributions until October 25th. The program will allow the restoration of degraded areas and the conservation of ecosystems in conservation units, state forests, and other public lands of environmental interest. “The program also guarantees the generation of opportunities for seedling nurseries, seed collectors, certification bodies, technicians, and project developers, expanding the market for ecosystem services and promoting innovation,” says the executive director of the Forestry Foundation, Rodrigo Levkovicz.

The plan also guarantees the generation of opportunities for seedling nurseries, seed collectors, certification bodies, technicians, and project developers, expanding the market for ecosystem services and promoting innovation . “The model is capable of creating qualified jobs, boosting the bioeconomy, and stimulating the internalization of sustainable development,” says Levkovicz. Last year, a platform was launched encompassing approximately 40,000 hectares of restorable public areas, serving as a starting point for the program's implementation.

• Global Warming
• São Paulo