Brazil Unveils Major Amazon Carbon Credit Initiative and National Certifier at COP30

Historic Launch at COP30

Brazil has taken a significant step in its environmental agenda with the launch of a major Amazon carbon credit initiative and the country's first national carbon credit certifier. The announcements were made by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and state-owned oil company Petrobras during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025.

The initiative, named ProFloresta+, includes a call for proposals to contract 5 million carbon credits derived from Amazon restoration efforts. This program is designed to stimulate the restoration sector, meet climate commitments, and establish transparent pricing for carbon transactions.

ProFloresta+: Investing in Amazon Restoration

The ProFloresta+ program represents a substantial commitment to ecological recovery in the Amazon. Its broader objective is to restore up to 50,000 hectares of degraded Amazon land, with an estimated capacity to capture 15 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The initial phase focuses on purchasing 5 million carbon credits, which will support reforestation across 15,000 hectares.

This ambitious project involves an investment exceeding R$450 million (approximately $77 million) and is projected to create 4,500 jobs within the restoration sector. Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard stated that the initiative will enable the company 'to meet our climate commitments with high-quality and high-integrity carbon credits and, at the same time, foster the development of the restoration sector in the country.' BNDES will provide financing to project developers through specialized credit lines, such as the Climate Fund, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Establishing a National Carbon Credit Certifier

In parallel with the ProFloresta+ launch, BNDES, in collaboration with two financial institutions, announced the establishment of Brazil's first national carbon credit certifier. This development is critical for enhancing the credibility and integrity of Brazil's burgeoning carbon market. The certifier will play a vital role in:

• Ensuring the quality and transparency of carbon credits generated.
• Providing a standardized framework for verification and monitoring.
• Building trust among national and international stakeholders in Brazil's carbon market.

The creation of this certifier aligns with Brazil's broader efforts to regulate its carbon market, following the passage of Law No. 15,042/2024 in December 2024, which established the Brazilian Emissions Trading System (SBCE).

Brazil's Role in the Global Climate Agenda

These initiatives underscore Brazil's strategic positioning at COP30 as a leader in the global climate agenda, particularly concerning nature-based solutions. The country aims to transform the 'Arc of Deforestation' into an 'Arc of Restoration,' leveraging its vast natural resources for climate mitigation and sustainable development. The ProFloresta+ program, with its focus on transparent pricing and public contracts, is seen as setting a new standard for carbon credit transactions and expanding Brazil's restoration and carbon credit market.