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Petrobras and BNDES Expand Sustainable Actions with ProFloresta+, Program That Encourages the Purchase of Carbon Credits and Strengthens Environmental Recovery in the Amazon
During COP30, held in Belém do Pará, Petrobras and BNDES officially launched the first call for proposals of the ProFloresta+ program, focused on contracting 5 million high-integrity carbon credits. The announcement, made this Monday (10), marks a milestone for the voluntary carbon market in Brazil, focusing on the restoration of the Amazon and sustainability.
ProFloresta+: Restoration of 50 Thousand Hectares in the Amazon
The call for proposals anticipates the selection of five projects, each responsible for delivering 1 million carbon credits over 25 years. The projects must recover at least 3 thousand hectares of degraded areas, using native species and reforestation techniques that ensure environmental and climatic integrity.
ProFloresta+ aims to restore approximately 50 thousand hectares of degraded areas in the Amazon biome. The goal is to generate up to 15 million carbon credits, with the first call covering one-third of this volume. The initiative seeks to promote ecological recovery and the valuation of local biodiversity.
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Eligible areas for the projects include public lands under forest concessions and private properties located within the Legal Amazon. The use of native species and sustainable practices is mandatory, ensuring that the generated carbon credits have high integrity and are recognized internationally.
Sustainable Investments by Petrobras and BNDES
BNDES structured ProFloresta+ with support from Petrobras, offering special financing conditions for the selected projects. The proposals may rely on lines such as the Climate Fund, which offers terms of up to 25 years and a financial cost of only 1% per year.
The total investment potential exceeds R$ 450 million, making the program one of the largest green financing initiatives ever undertaken in the country. According to Tereza Campello, socio-environmental director at BNDES, the aim is to transfer resources directly to those who restore the forest, creating a virtuous cycle between environmental preservation and economic development.
Carbon Credits: Strategic Tool for Climate
Carbon credits are certificates that represent the removal or reduction of one ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. They can be traded by companies or governments as a way to offset emissions and meet climate goals.
In ProFloresta+, credits will be generated through the ecological restoration of degraded areas in the Amazon. The process will be monitored and validated by international standards, ensuring the reliability and traceability of the results. This makes the credits attractive to domestic and foreign buyers, especially in markets that require high environmental integrity.
Petrobras and BNDES Initiative: Amazon as the Center of Sustainability
The Amazon is the largest tropical biome on the planet and plays an essential role in regulating the global climate. However, it faces challenges such as deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Restoring the Amazon is restoring climate balance.
ProFloresta+ emerges as a concrete response to these challenges. By encouraging reforestation projects with native species, the program contributes to the recovery of biodiversity, carbon retention, and the generation of local income. Additionally, it strengthens Brazil’s image as a leader in the international environmental agenda.
Project Selection: Technical and Environmental Criteria
The projects interested in participating in the call must meet rigorous criteria, such as:
- Minimum recovery of 3 thousand hectares per contract
- Exclusive use of native species
- Location in areas within the Amazon biome
- Monitoring and verification by independent entities
- Commitment to the generation of carbon credits over 25 years
The selection will be made through a public call, with a 30-day deadline for proposal submissions. The expectation is that the contracts will be signed in the first half of 2026, with restoration activities beginning shortly thereafter.
Social Inclusion and Creation of Green Jobs
In addition to the environmental benefits, ProFloresta+ has the potential to generate thousands of green jobs, especially in local communities and traditional peoples of the Amazon. Forest restoration requires skilled labor, inputs, and services, which stimulates the regional economy.
Social inclusion is one of the program’s pillars. Projects that involve indigenous, quilombola, and riverside communities will have priority in the selection. The goal is to promote sustainable development with climate justice, valuing traditional knowledge and strengthening the autonomy of local populations.
Petrobras and BNDES Strengthen the Carbon Market in Brazil
With the launch of ProFloresta+, Petrobras and BNDES reinforce their strategic role in building a robust and reliable carbon market in Brazil. The initiative is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the commitments made by the country at COP30.
The model adopted by the program can be replicated in other biomes and tropical countries, amplifying the positive impact on the climate. By uniting innovation, financing, and environmental commitment, Brazil positions itself as a global reference in the generation of high-integrity carbon credits.
Paths to a Sustainable Future
The launch of the ProFloresta+ call for proposals by Petrobras and BNDES represents a historic milestone for the restoration of the Amazon and the strengthening of the carbon credit market in Brazil. With robust investments, rigorous technical criteria, and a focus on social inclusion, the initiative has the potential to transform the environmental and economic landscape of the region.
Forest restoration is a strategic opportunity for Brazil to lead the global climate agenda. By uniting public and private efforts, ProFloresta+ inaugurates a new era of sustainable development, with lasting benefits for the environment, the economy, and society.
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