PlanaFlor advances engagement agenda to strengthen Forest Code implementation and promote sustainable development across Brazil

This year, the PlanaFlor team has advanced the implementation of the Brazilian Forest Code through a robust engagement agenda, connecting with over 55 organisations, including federal and state government bodies, civil society groups, and advocacy organisations in Brazil. These efforts aim to advance one of the country’s most critical regulatory frameworks for sustainable development by fostering synergies among diverse stakeholders in the environmental agenda and aligning conservation with economic growth.

PlanaFlor has worked closely with federal agencies such as the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA), and Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) to address key challenges in implementing the Forest Code. Notable actions include contributions to the National Plan for the Recovery of Native Vegetation (Planaveg) and the development of a protocol to prioritise areas for restoration in partnership with the MMA. Collaboration with the MDA has supported initiatives such as “Productive Forests” and the sustainable management of non-timber forest products, while engagement with MAPA has focused on advancing regulations for the production of native seedlings and seeds. Discussions with the SFB have explored ways to accelerate the analysis of the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR), promote the Environmental Reserve Quotas (CRAs) market, and support the preparation and monitoring of PRADAs (restoration projects for native vegetation in areas of Legal Reserve and Permanent Preservation). These efforts aim to ensure compliance with the Forest Code’s key provisions.

“This year, we focused on strengthening institutional relations to build a solid foundation for the law’s implementation, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and creating a network of trust and alignment. This groundwork is essential to unlock processes and accelerate the implementation of the Forest Code,” said Beto Mesquita, Director of Forests and Public Policy at BVRio.

At the state level, the initiative engaged with at least 13 state governments to facilitate discussions on priority areas for reforestation, conservation initiatives, and the role of smallholder properties in sustainable land use and Forest Code implementation. PlanaFlor also collaborated with networks such as the Forest Code Observatory (OCF), the Brazil Climate, Forests, and Agriculture Coalition, and the Brazilian Society for Ecological Restoration, aligning efforts to advance restoration and compliance strategies.

“PlanaFlor demonstrates the economic potential of implementing the Forest Code through a data-driven approach that identifies opportunities and delivers practical solutions for sustainable land use,” said Marcelo Hercowitz, PlanaFlor Project Manager. “By encouraging compliance, we are helping states and municipalities unlock financial mechanisms for conservation and restoration—essential for protecting natural resources, generating income, and driving sustainable development.”

As 2024 draws to a close, PlanaFlor continues to exemplify how its strategic objectives, aligned with stakeholder engagement and public advocacy, are crucial for achieving compliance while enabling a greener, more resilient future for Brazil.