Materials aim to disseminate the concept of impact carbon and guide small and medium-sized producers on how to access the market
With the aim of spreading the concept of “impact carbon” – an innovative approach to the carbon market that encompasses nature-based solutions and positive impacts on local communities – Fundo Vale recently launched a study called “Agroforestry Carbon Businesses: Markets, Solutions and Challenges.” Another publication, titled “From the Field to Carbon: A Primer for Small and Medium-Sized Producers,” guides this audience on how to adopt sustainable practices and how to access the carbon market.
Agroforestry carbon businesses
The “Agroforestry Carbon Businesses” study was carried out by PipeSocial (through PipeLab) as part of the Forest & Climate Challenges Program – Carbon Edition, in collaboration with Cubo Itaú, KPTL, Ecosecurities, the Ekos Brasil Institute and Suzano Ventures. The publication highlights the concept of impact carbon, which incorporates the result of investment that catalyzes local socioeconomic and environmental development, with a view to the equitable, equal and fair generation and distribution of benefits. This also entails the creation of a high-integrity carbon market, which includes the generation of credits from areas of land restored through sustainable systems.
“Reducing emissions or sequestering carbon goes beyond climate mitigation, because it looks at carbon credits together with all their co-benefits, considering production chains, community development, income and job generation, biodiversity and so on, making social, environmental and economic benefits tangible, and not just climate benefits,” explains Helio Laubenheimer, Vale carbon specialist.
As well as talking about the benefits of impact carbon, the study presents the evolution of the carbon market, from the Kyoto Protocol to advances in regulated and voluntary markets, highlighting Brazil’s progress in creating a cap-and-trade system with mandatory emission reduction targets. It also maps out the carbon ecosystem, identifying key players such as project developers, certifiers and investors, as well as profiling the market’s entrepreneurs.
Guidance for small and medium-sized producers
The second publication, “From the Field to Carbon,” produced by Way Carbon, aims to guide small and medium-sized rural producers to adopt sustainable practices and access the promising carbon credit market. With a focus on generating an additional source of income and promoting the protection and recovery of areas through sustainable agricultural practices, the document offers practical information to help these producers actively contribute to mitigating climate change while improving productivity on their properties.
The material explains how human activities increase greenhouse gas emissions and analyzes the impacts of climate change on the agricultural sector, including water scarcity and the proliferation of pests. Another important point is the identification of the main sources of GHG emissions and the importance of carbon reservoirs, such as soil and vegetation, in capturing CO₂.
The booklet offers an introduction to the carbon market, detailing the criteria for rural producers to participate in projects to generate credits, including land tenure reform, the adoption of sustainable farming practices and a long-term commitment to the projects in question.
Finally, it offers a practical guide for producers to identify opportunities, with guidance on engaging with project developers and assessing feasibility. The publication also presents examples of successful carbon projects in Brazil, such as reforestation with macaúba palm trees and conservation agriculture, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of these initiatives.