In our work to promote land restoration, we engage in on-the-ground actions by developing and supporting collaborative projects that aim to restore nature – focusing on a nature-based1 land restoration project in Brazil.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme is our first initiative to restore rural land in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil using native species. The project aims to benefit local communities, the flora and fauna in the region, and global efforts to promote biodiversity and combat climate change.
Why is land restoration important?
The world is losing 137 species – every day – in large part because of the clearing of forests for agriculture2. What’s more, because forests absorb 30% of the world’s carbon emissions2, deforestation is increasing carbon levels in the atmosphere and contributing to climate change3.
We all need to work together to restore biodiversity, mitigate climate change and protect the planet. The Araucaria Conservation Programme, developed in collaboration with Apremavi, a Brazilian NGO specialising in conservation and restoration projects since 1987, is our first land restoration project.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme
The Atlantic Forest is one of the wealthiest biomes, but also the second most endangered in the world. Today only 12% of its original area is preserved. This puts thousands of species at risk of extinction while depriving the region – and the world – of critical carbon-absorbing forestland.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme aims to restore up to 7,000 hectares of land in this area over 10years. That’s the equivalent of 9,800 football pitches, targeting an area of particular risk that today only has 3 per cent of its original area preserved.
Another aim is to place up to 13.7 million hectares under international voluntary carbon and biodiversity standards for carbon sequestration measurement4. This means the project will support Tetra Pak’s commitment to achieving net-zero GHG emissions in its operations by 2030 by compensating for remaining CO2 emissions.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme
The Atlantic Forest is one of the wealthiest biomes, but also the second most endangered in the world. Today only 12% of its original area is preserved. This puts thousands of species at risk of extinction while depriving the region – and the world – of critical carbon-absorbing forestland.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme aims to restore up to 7,000 hectares of land in this area over 10years. That’s the equivalent of 9,800 football pitches, targeting an area of particular risk that today only has 3 per cent of its original area preserved.
Another aim is to place up to 13.7 million hectares under international voluntary carbon and biodiversity standards for carbon sequestration measurement4. This means the project will support Tetra Pak’s commitment to achieving net-zero GHG emissions in its operations by 2030 by compensating for remaining CO2 emissions.
87 hectares restored
In 2022, a pilot site of 87 hectares of land in the municipality of Urubici, Santa Catarina state, was restored, surpassing the initial goal of restoring 80 hectares. Of the 87 hectares - an area the size of 136 football fields - 47 hectares were planted with seedlings, and another 40 hectares are being actively monitored for natural regeneration.
87 hectares restored
In 2022, a pilot site of 87 hectares of land in the municipality of Urubici, Santa Catarina state, was restored, surpassing the initial goal of restoring 80 hectares. Of the 87 hectares - an area the size of 136 football fields - 47 hectares were planted with seedlings, and another 40 hectares are being actively monitored for natural regeneration.
2023 progress
In 2023, five new properties were identified for restoration, located in Santa Catarina state. These properties have the potential of 1,300 ha for restoration and can play an essential role in conserving water resources, biodiversity and the possibility of ecological corridors. This work was an important period for the structuring of the Araucaria Conservation Programme. It involved defining the carbon certification methodology and the financial compensation model for partner rural owners. Baseline studies also commenced for carbon measurement in the project’s pilot area. A total of 272 ha was restored in 2023. A further 1,115 ha of restoration will be added in 2024, while maintaining and monitoring 272 ha.
Podcast: Ecosystem restoration
with Julian Fox, Director Nature Programs, Sustainability & Communications
Learn more in this podcast where Julian Fox shares all the details of the pioneering initiative, designed to help restore biodiversity, to support and protect local communities, and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Podcast: Ecosystem restoration
with Julian Fox, Director Nature Programs, Sustainability & Communications
Learn more in this podcast where Julian Fox shares all the details of the pioneering initiative, designed to help restore biodiversity, to support and protect local communities, and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Explore further about out pioneering initiative
1“Nature-based solutions” are solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Source: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/ nature-based-solutions_en
2Mitchell, C. (2022). Deforestation: Clearing The Path For Wildlife Extinctions. Source: Worldanimalfoundation.org
3United Nations Climate Action. Source: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/land “‘Ecosystem’ means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.” (Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity) https://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/
4The uptake and storage of carbon. Trees and plants, for example, absorb carbon dioxide, release the oxygen and store the carbon. Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/carbon-sequestration
5Defined as achieving net-zero GHG emissions in our operations (scopes 1 and 2 and business travel) and 46% GHG reduction across our value chain in line with 1.5°C SBTi commitment compared to our 2019 baseline.