BVRio participates in webinar on the potential for forest carbon payments for private properties
With the objective of supporting and strengthening the creation of Private Reserves of Natural Heritage (RPPNs) as a strategy for the conservation of the Cerrado Biome, Brazilian NGO Funatura, with the support of Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), proposed to conduct a study to evaluate the economic potential of private reserves, to high-light the potential to access the carbon credits market. The topic was discussed in a recent webinar which can be seen in full on the Funatura You Tube channel.
The online event also brought together partners and owners of RPPNs to identify possible ways of paying carbon credits, which can benefit owners of RPNNs and prove their environmental regularity.
Beto Mesquita, Director of Forestry and Public Policy at BVRio, was one of the speakers and highlighted: “The insertion of RPPNs in compensation systems for environmental services is essential for its sustainability. It is necessary to recognise the efforts of people, companies and organisations that dedicate part of their heritage to protect natural ecosystems, soils, waters and carbon stocks, for the benefit of society as a whole.” During the event, Beto also talked about the types of investments needed, minimum area for a viable project, how many credits per hectare, demonstrating the challenges of the sector.
Funatura’s CEO, Pedro Bruzzi, emphasised the importance of the online meeting for the owners. “Access to the carbon market is yet another incentive for RPPN owners and those interested in creating a private reserve,” he said.
Currently, according to the National Confederation of Private Reserves of Natural Heritage, there are 1,691 RPPNs in Brazilian territory, 264 of them in the Cerrado – 153 recognised by the federal government and 111 recognised by state governments, corresponding to 16% of all RPPNs in Brazil, totalling a total area of 183,401.67 hectares.
The RPPNs represent an important opportunity for new conservation units to be created in Brazil. And when it comes to a biome as rich as the Cerrado, and one of the most threatened, there is a great need for society to engage in the protection of these areas.
Funatura’s Private Reserves in the Cerrado project with CEPF supports the creation of new RPPNs. The initial target of 50 reserves has been extended to 70 by the end of 2021. RPPNs deliver important contributions – they are strategic to biodiversity conservation, maintenance of environmental services, mitigation of the effects of climate change and contribute to the connection of the landscape with the strengthening of ecological corridors.
