{"id":22533,"date":"2016-12-02T14:19:41","date_gmt":"2016-12-02T14:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cebds.org\/noticia\/business-and-biodiversity-in-brazil-paper-published-by-the-un\/"},"modified":"2023-06-23T15:14:36","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T15:14:36","slug":"business-and-biodiversity-in-brazil-paper-published-by-the-un","status":"publish","type":"noticia","link":"https:\/\/cebds.org\/en\/noticia\/business-and-biodiversity-in-brazil-paper-published-by-the-un\/","title":{"rendered":"Business and Biodiversity in Brazil \u2013 Paper published by the UN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Business and Biodiversity in Brazil: Why Private Restoration is an Important Issue against the Reality of Climate Change and Environmental Pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andr\u00e9 v. Ramalho, Raquel L. Bonelli, Luan Santos, Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS)<\/p>\n

ABSTRACT.<\/strong> Brazil is a megadiverse country with forests covering more than 54% of its territory. Nevertheless, some ecosystems are threatened and reduced to some 7% of their original area, as in the case of the Atlantic Forest. Deforestation has historically been the major issue in Brazil in terms of both greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and pressure on biodiversity, with the main cause being land-use changes for the expansion of agriculture and cattle-ranching. To address these issues, the Brazilian Government makes use of several legal norms, such as the Forest Code. The Code calls for setting aside 20-80 per cent of the area of each rural property for the preservation of native forest and it underpins the Brazilian intended Nationally Determined Contribution (iNDC) of restoring 12 million hectares of forests set out at the twenty-first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Even with all the legal requirements, which also include mitigation projects and offset compensation, Brazil is seeing a growth in voluntary restoration efforts by businesses. Several companies are currently collaborating on natural infrastructure development, payment for ecosystem services and carbon-neutrality projects, all using restoration as a tool. The results of these projects are practical and, in addition to the traditional environmental and social impacts, they have clear operational benefits for businesses. This agenda is being advanced through risk and dependency analysis, operational security, new business opportunities, financial and investment requirements and by a positive socio environmental agenda. The country\u2019s recent droughts have clearly helped, for example, in the expansion and development of natural infrastructure projects. The time is ripe for mobilizing and engaging business in conservation and restoration projects, especially when the multiple benefits of this agenda are linked to climate change and water issues.<\/p>\n

Entreprises et biodiversit\u00e9 au Br\u00e9sil: pourquoi la restauration\u00a0\u00a0 par le secteur priv\u00e9 est un enjeu important dans un contexte de changement climatique et de pression sur\u00a0\u00a0 l\u2019environnement<\/strong><\/p>\n

R\u00c9SUM\u00c9.<\/strong> Le Br\u00e9sil est un pays m\u00e9gadivers avec des for\u00eats couvrant plus de 54% de son territoire. Cependant, certains \u00e9cosyst\u00e8mes sont menac\u00e9s et r\u00e9duits \u00e0 quelque 7% de leur superficie d\u2019origine, comme dans le cas de la For\u00eat atlantique. Le d\u00e9boisement a toujours \u00e9t\u00e9 le principal probl\u00e8me au Br\u00e9sil en termes d\u2019\u00e9missions de gaz \u00e0 effet de serre (GES) et de pression sur la biodiversit\u00e9. Ce sont les changements d\u2019affectation des terres pour l\u2019expansion de l\u2019agriculture et de l\u2019\u00e9levage qui en sont la principale cause. Pour faire face \u00e0 ces probl\u00e8mes, le gouvernement br\u00e9silien utilise plusieurs normes juridiques, comme le Code forestier. Ce Code pr\u00e9voit la mise de c\u00f4t\u00e9 de 20 \u00e0 80 pour cent de la superficie de chaque propri\u00e9t\u00e9 rurale pour la pr\u00e9servation de la for\u00eat indig\u00e8ne et sous-tend la Contribution pr\u00e9vue du Br\u00e9sil d\u00e9termin\u00e9e au niveau national de restaurer 12 millions d\u2019hectares de for\u00eats. Cette contribution avait \u00e9t\u00e9 annonc\u00e9e \u00e0 la vingt et uni\u00e8me R\u00e9union de la Conf\u00e9rence des Parties \u00e0 la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques. M\u00eame avec toutes les exigences l\u00e9gales, qui incluent \u00e9galement des projets d\u2019att\u00e9nuation et de compensation, le Br\u00e9sil constate une croissance des efforts de restauration volontaire des entreprises. Plusieurs entreprises collaborent actuellement au d\u00e9veloppement des infrastructures naturelles, au paiement des services \u00e9cosyst\u00e9miques et aux projets neutres en carbone, en utilisant la restauration comme outil. Les r\u00e9sultats de ces projets sont pratiques et, en plus des impacts environnementaux et sociaux habituels, ils ont des avantages op\u00e9rationnels clairs pour les entreprises. Des progr\u00e8s sont en train d\u2019\u00eatre r\u00e9alis\u00e9s dans ce domaine gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 l\u2019analyse des risques et des d\u00e9pendances, \u00e0 la s\u00e9curit\u00e9 op\u00e9rationnelle, aux nouvelles opportunit\u00e9s d\u2019affaires, aux besoins financiers et d\u2019investissement et \u00e0 un programme socio-environnemental positif. Les r\u00e9centes s\u00e9cheresses qui ont frapp\u00e9 le pays ont clairement contribu\u00e9, par exemple, \u00e0 l\u2019expansion et au d\u00e9veloppement de projets d\u2019infrastructure naturelle. Le moment est venu de mobiliser et d\u2019engager les entreprises dans les projets de conservation et de restauration, surtout lorsque les multiples avantages de ce programme sont li\u00e9s aux changements climatiques et aux probl\u00e8mes de l\u2019eau.<\/p>\n

Negocios y Biodiversidad en Brasil: por qu\u00e9 la restauraci\u00f3n privada es un tema importante para el cambio clim\u00e1tico y una realidad ambientalmente bajo presi\u00f3n<\/strong><\/p>\n

RESUMEN (1). <\/strong>Brasil es un pa\u00eds megadiverso con bosques que cubren m\u00e1s del 54% de su territorio. Sin embargo, algunos ecosistemas est\u00e1n amenazados, reducidos a cerca del 7% de su \u00e1rea original, como en el caso de la Mata Atl\u00e1ntica. La deforestaci\u00f3n ha sido hist\u00f3ricamente el principal problema en Brasil para las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GHG) y presi\u00f3n sobre la biodiversidad, con la principal causa siendo los cambios en el uso de la tierra para la expansi\u00f3n de la agricultura y la ganader\u00eda. Para abordar estas problem\u00e1ticas, el Gobierno brasile\u00f1o hace uso de varias normas jur\u00eddicas, como el C\u00f3digo Forestal. El C\u00f3digo establece dejar de lado entre 20-80% del \u00e1rea de cada propiedad rural para la preservaci\u00f3n del bosque nativo, sustentando as\u00ed la Contribuci\u00f3n Prevista y Determinada Nacional de Brasil (iNDC) de restaurar 12 millones de hect\u00e1reas de bosques, establecido en la vig\u00e9sima primer reuni\u00f3n de la Conferencia de las Partes en el Marco de la Convenci\u00f3n de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Clim\u00e1tico. Incluso con todos los requisitos legales, que tambi\u00e9n incluyen proyectos de mitigaci\u00f3n y compensaci\u00f3n, Brasil est\u00e1 viendo un crecimiento en los esfuerzos de restauraci\u00f3n voluntaria por parte de las empresas. Varias empresas est\u00e1n colaborando actualmente en el desarrollo de la infraestructura natural, el pago de los servicios ambientales y proyectos de carbono neutralidad, todos utilizando la restauraci\u00f3n como herramienta. Los resultados de estos proyectos son pr\u00e1cticos y, adem\u00e1s los impactos ambientales y sociales tradicionales, tienen claros beneficios operacionales para las empresas. Esta agenda est\u00e1 avanzando a trav\u00e9s de an\u00e1lisis de riesgo y dependencia, seguridad operativa, nuevas oportunidades de negocio, necesidades financieras e inversiones y una agenda socio ambiental positiva. Las recientes sequ\u00edas del pa\u00eds han ayudado claramente, por ejemplo, en la expansi\u00f3n y desarrollo de proyectos de infraestructura natural. Es hora de movilizar e involucrar a los negocios en proyectos de conservaci\u00f3n y restauraci\u00f3n, especialmente cuando los m\u00faltiples beneficios de esta agenda est\u00e1n vinculados al cambio clim\u00e1tico y a los problemas del agua.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. V. Ramalho is Technical Advisor on Biodiversity and Water, CEBDS (e-mail: andre.ramalho@ cebds.org).<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. L. Bonelli is Technical Assistant, CEBDS (e-mail: Raquel.bonelli@cebds.org).<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Santos is Technical Advisor of CEBDS (e-mail: luan.santos@cebds.org).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    (1) Translated by Sofia Calvo<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In recent years, the private sector has developed a series of improvements in their business focusing on efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, despite of these efforts, cli- mate change continues to be an ongoing process, a new reality that forces the private sector to adapt constantly to the environmental risks, but it also allows the more engaged companies to adapt and explore new opportunities and it is even becoming a competition advantage.<\/p>\n

      According to the Brazilian Panel on Climate Change, several regions of Brazil have seen shifts on temperature and rainfall patterns, for instance, the Amazon savannization of the Amazon, heavy rainfall and floods in the south and south-east of the country and drought in north and north-east that affects, for example, hydroelectricity generation. [1] These environmental risks have become a major concern for business, with 83% of Brazilian companies reporting climate risks and the subsequent incorporation of risk management into their business. [2] In addition, ecosystem services pro- vided \u201cfree of charge\u201d by nature and the bottom line of almost every business are being affected by climate change as well. Since ecosystems are responsible for providing raw material and water needed to produce goods, natural capital losses will affect companies\u2019 growth, development and, most importantly, profits. If no investment is made to conserve and restore the natural capital, impacts on businesses may force them to change composition of products, relocate facilities and face conflicts of interest with local society. Fortunately, several companies are realizing how much they depend on nature and are transforming the established relationship.<\/p>\n

      The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), part of the global network of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, is responsible for supporting and connecting the private sector with the best and more advanced concepts, projects, cases and solutions for improving sustainability and the existing relationship between business and nature. CEBDS operates through its working groups, two of which are directly linked to the restoration agenda, the Biodiversity and the Water Working Groups.<\/p>\n

      This article focuses on the current status of the restoration scenario in Brazil and what is being done by the private sector in his regard. To illustrate restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts, some initiatives that being promoted by large companies in Brazil will be presented.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. OVERVIEW<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world and holds the major part of the largest forest, the Amazon rain- forest, which includes the greatest amount of biodiversity in the world. Forest cover 54.4% of the country, an area of approximately 463 million hectares, distributed into six biomes \u2013 Amazonia, Cerrado, Caatinga, Atlantic Forest, Pampas and Pantanal, [3] two of them, Cerrado and Atlantic forest, being considered world hotspots for conservation. [4) The distribution is unequal though, the Atlantic Forest for example has about 7% of its original area. An important data to highlight is that, from the existing native forests cover, 53% are inside private property, stocking about 105\u00b121 mil- lion GtCO2e (billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents). [5] The importance of engaging business in restoration and conservation is clear.<\/p>\n

        Currently, the most challenging issue in Brazil, in terms of climate change and environment is deforestation, the result mainly of land use changes for agriculture and cattle ranching. Both the agriculture and livestock sectors are important for Brazilian economy, since they provide the country\u2019s main export commodities. From 1990, the agricultural sector has undergone a boom, with scaled up investments that turned Brazil into the largest food producer and exporter of raw materials in the world. [6] In order to become a massive producer and exporter, in 2010, grazing lands were being settled over an area of 182.8 million hectares, [7] and Amazon rainforest deforestation has endured. Despite a 79% decrease in the Amazon deforestation between 2004 and 2015, in 2015 alone, 5,831 square km of forests were lost, with the resultant emission of<\/p>\n

        282.8 million tCO2e. [8] For this reason, deforestation and land use are the main drivers of Brazil\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions, which makes so important to emphasize how restoration and conservation can help and coexist with agriculture and cattle ranching.<\/p>\n

        In fact, Brazil has committed itself, during the twenty- first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, of its intended Nationally Determined Contribution (iNDC) of restoring 12 million hectares of forests. Much will need to be done to address this challenge. Firstly, an estimated investment between R$31 million to R$52 million up to 2030 will be needed. [9] Secondly, it will need to finish mapping the areas that need restoration, in accordance with the Brazilian Forest Code. Then, there will be the need to increase and provide incentives for the development of native forest nurseries to meet the demand for young plants, among other complementary actions.<\/p>\n

        For years, the Brazilian Government has been advancing the native forest agenda with the intention of protecting and restoring forests for conservation purposes and safeguarding the natural resources needed by the private sector, especially considering that the contribution of the agriculture and livestock sec- tors, the main users of these resources, to the gross national product is over 20%, or approximately 70 billion dollars. [10]<\/p>\n

        One of the most important environmental legal norms in Brazil is the Forest Code. With a first version dating from 1965, the norm was revisited and relaunched in 2012. At that time, two mechanisms\u2014the Legal Reserve (LR) and Areas of Permanent Preservation (APPs)\u2014remained with some modifications. Under the former, a landowner should maintain 80% of the property under native vegetation, if the land is in the Amazon biome; otherwise, the percentage falls to at least 20%. [11] The main aim of the latter is to conserve water resources and thus protect the soil from erosion. The size of area preserved is variable and depends on factors such as the type of ecosystem, the width of the river, the presence of a water spring, etc. As an example, for a river 10 metres wide must have at least 30 metres of forest throughout its length.<\/p>\n

        If both mechanisms are effectively enforced, they are capable of protecting 193 \u00b1 5 million hectares. [5] The Forest Code is an important tool to promote private restoration with environmental benefits. The Code also includes the Environmental Reserve Quota (CRA), a market for forest land whereby, should a property have protected native vegetation in excess the amount required by the Code, the landowner can receive compensation by \u201cselling\u201d it to another landowner who has fallen short of the amount required, provided that both properties are located in the same biome.<\/p>\n

        Therefore, effective implementation is essential. Once that is assured, an area of about 23.4 million hectares will be recovered in areas used for agriculture and grazing, with particular consideration given to areas with degraded and low productive pastures. [7] The potential of the private sector to contribute to restoration efforts in Brazil depends upon strong enforcement and government support to make sure that agribusinesses are able to adhere to the Code. An example of government support is the development of a plan to help fund this restoration, as in fact is the purpose of the National Native Vegetation Recovery Plan (Planaveg). [12] Brazil will also need to improve its native forest sector to support this restoration effort.<\/p>\n

        Finally, the Warsaw Framework for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest\u00a0 Degradation (REDD+) and Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) are two initiatives that need to be highlighted. REDD+ was created under the Convention on Climate Change in order to create opportunities for developing countries to follow a sustainable economic pathway. It was instituted in Brazil in 2013, with the intention of mitigating climate change by combating illegal deforestation. Subsequently, its scope was amplified to include restoration and other actions. Likewise, PES is an economic incentive that includes payments beyond carbon and focuses on ecosystems services. [13] Those two instruments are under discussion by the Brazilian Government in the context of policies and strategies. It is also worth noting that, besides the environment impact, these measures can provide an income supplement, especially for smallholders and native people, thus generating a positive social impact.<\/p>\n

        It is important to emphasize that despite the existence of a large number of legal obligations that go beyond many of current commitments in the world, Brazilian companies are willing to invest even more in restoration and conservation. They have come to see restoration efforts and climate change mitigation and adaptation as vital to their own business, since they provide operational security, thus decreasing risks and liabilities, and an improved image and also serve as an additional contribution to society.<\/p>\n

        III. BUSINESS CASE<\/strong><\/p>\n

        There follow some examples of conservation and restoration initiatives that have been promoted by the business sector, including those in other major biomes outside the Amazon, such as the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest, where the level of protection is below the 17% required in the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity. [5]<\/p>\n

        The Green-Blue Water Coalition, an initiative of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), is a collaboration of the private sector and the civil society and local government in order to promote water security to hydric stress basins. The main goal of this Coalition, formed by companies such as AmBev, Coca-Cola, Klabin and having Faber Castell, McDonalds, Unilever, Pepsico<\/u> and the Bank of America as collaborators, is to reach 12 metropolitan areas, restoring and conserving forests in up to 21 watersheds, capable of supplying water to almost 63 million citizens. [14] In each watershed, this natural infrastructure initiative will make use of several tools to support restoration, such as creating a local water fund, mapping better areas for restoration, develop a payment for ecosystem services program, and create a local governance, among others. As an example of expected results, TNC studies indicate that the restoration of just 3% of forests could reduce siltation by up to 50% in the water- sheds responsible for 64% of the water supplied to the Greater S\u00e3o Paulo area.<\/p>\n

        In order to create an improved model for watershed collaborative actions, which could reach even more companies looking to invest in natural infrastructure by associating with CEBDS, a new chapter of the Green-Blue Water Coalition\u2014the Guandu River Basin chapter\u2014is under way. This project is expected to restore 2,250 and preserve 11,750 hectares in five years at a basin that is responsible for 80% of the Rio de Janeiro water supply.<\/p>\n

        Supported by Brasil Kirin in partnership with SOS Mata Atl\u00e2ntica, the SOS Mata Atl\u00e2ntica Forest Experiment Centre (Centro de Experimentos Florestais SOS Mata Atl\u00e2ntica) aims to produce native trees for forest restoration in the Atlantic Forest. This initiative is currently producing over 750 thousand plants representing 110 native species from this biome per year to be used in restoration areas in the surroundings. In addition, they have a programme of environmental awareness and education for the community. [15] This centre also hosts two projects, one called Click\u00c1rvore and the other Forests of the Future, which account for more than 30 million young trees donated or sponsored for the restoration of the Atlantic Forest over the years.<\/p>\n

        Coca-Cola has also contributed to Sustainable Amazon Foundation – FAS Permanent Fund, which uses to defray the family forest grant at the 16 conservation areas where the forest grant programme currently operates. [16] It makes use of several mechanisms, including one of the first structured payment-for-ecosystem-services project in Brazil. It has a social development goal of developing a value chain of forest products. The families included the project then became forest guardians.<\/p>\n

        Syngenta in partnership with Coopavel has created the \u00c1gua Viva Project, with the intention to revitalize water springs by using methods such as restoring forest cover aside from providing environmental awareness to the local community. In the 12 years since it was launched, the Project has restored 1,000 freshwater springs, generating 160 million litres of good quality water, with benefits reaching 12,000 families from 70 cities across 11 states. [17]<\/p>\n

        Legado das \u00c1guas (Water Legacy) is a project developed under Votorantim leadership to guarantee hydro availability through the River Juqui\u00e1 and to protect the local biodiversity. The main goal is to ensure ecological stability in this particular region of the Atlantic Forest, by conserving an area of approximately 31,000 hectares. [18] There are several ongoing projects at the site, including the construction and operation of a greenhouse to produce young native Atlantic Forest trees to be used for forest restoration at the site and its surroundings. Other example are projects relating to the access and benefit sharing with regard to bio- diversity, all aiming at making this private conservation area self-sustainable.<\/p>\n

        SPVS, Fauna and Flora International and Souza Cruz launched Partnership for Biodiversity (Parcerias Pela Biodiversidade) in 2012. This initiative aims to protect the local biodiversity and to foster a sustainable family agriculture, which includes biodiversity as a critical asset. [19] The actions include forest restoration and enrichment and pollinator management aiming to improve and conserve ecosystem services while generating benefits for local agriculture. A pilot phase was carried out on 17 small farms and it is now expanding.<\/p>\n

        The Strategic Forest Restoration Plan (PERF) was deployed at one of the biggest agrarian region, the Alto Teles Pires in Mato Grosso. This Plan, developed by The Nature Conservancy, has as its main actions to map degraded areas, identify stakeholder initiatives, and structures already developed at the region to organize productive chains for restoration, including seed production, plant nursery and workforce, as well as create restoration schedules and priorities. This initiative is supported by Syngenta, Fiagril, Amaggi, among others. [20]<\/p>\n

        Conservation International in partnership with Monsanto has been developing a project based on the concept of sustainable agricultural landscape. It has been involved in the protection of natural capital, sustainable food production and territorial governance. This initiative takes into account the vital role played by the agricultural sector, thus looking to integrate between agriculture and the protection of environmental services. [21]<\/p>\n

        Through its Foundation, the Botic\u00e1rio Group has two very interesting initiatives that should be mentioned: one, called Arauc\u00e1ria+, that aims to conserve a highly threatened ecosystem that has as its main species a tree called Araucaria. To help protect the Araucaria forest, they are developing ways for the local small holders to explore products derived from the forest in a sustainable way. The second is a payment for ecosystem services and conservation initiative that became a model for several others named Oasis. In ten years of operation, Oasis engaged 434 landowners, and protected an area of 3,500 hectares. [22]<\/p>\n

        Natura is also giving an example of a commitment that can benefit forest conservation and\/or restoration that is the Programa Carbono Neutro (Carbon Neutrality Programme). Through this commitment, Natura quantifies all its greenhouse-gas emissions, including in its value chain, an then it offsets those emissions by buying carbon credits from forest restoration projects in degraded lands, and for switching from oil-based fuels to renewables and those associated with waste treatment. [23]<\/p>\n

        One thing that is important to say about all these projects is how they relate conservation and\/or restoration with positive impacts to not only nature and society but also a clear benefit for the companies. And, when results are clear, companies are willing to invest.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. CURRENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          The business perception of nature has been changing in the past few years, both globally and in Brazil, and not only motivated by legal requirements. As an institution that has being working with more than 60 of the major companies in Brazil in the field of sustainability, CEBDS cannot help but notice the advances made by companies in the country in terms of awareness, investments, and commitments.<\/p>\n

          These advances are encouraged by several factors such as the creation and adoption of sustainability indexes, as is the case of Dow Jones Sustainability Index; transparency and reporting of social and environmental impacts, initiatives and corporate responsibility actions, those compiled in documents following standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative. Advances are also made as a result of a better understanding of natural capital risks, dependencies and opportunities, supported by ever evolving tools such as the recently launched Natural Capital Protocol. [24] The financial sector is also getting involved into advancing the environmental and climate agenda by creating risk methodologies and requirements for companies seeking investment capital.<\/p>\n

          The Brazilian financial sector engagement in the natural capital agenda is duly noticed when they commend studies on natural capital risks for the main business sectors in the country, such as the Natural Capital Risk Exposure of the Financial Sector in Brazil,[1] or when they calculate the financial impact of recent droughts that affected both the population and business production in the southeastern region of Brazil, including major industrial areas such as S\u00e3o Paulo. [25] There is also a very positive discussion going on in Brazil that involves the regulation and issuance of Green Bonds. The Bank Federation of Brazil (FEBRABAN) and CEBDS are working together on a guide for green bonds issuance. This is a helpful tool to support company\u2019s climate adaptation and environmental conservation\/restoration investments.<\/p>\n

          Several actions complementary to the legal requirements on restoration have been in place in the country, all contributing to protecting and restoring the ecosystems. Voluntary commitments are helping changing the way we relate to nature. Walmart and Carrefour, for example, have made a commitment not to buy cattle meat from deforested areas, leading to the creation of a tracking process by its suppliers. Commitments such as this force the hand of producers and distributors into legalizing farms, checking and promoting changes in their value chain, in order to avoid the risk of suffering economic losses.<\/p>\n

          Another important commitment that is producing a great impact on Brazilian landscape is the Soy Moratorium, a zero de forestation voluntary commitment. Since its adoption by several major producers, the deforestation rates declined by 86% in the states where it has influence. At the same time and in the same areas, the soy production rose 200% without land expansion, [26] proving that it is possible to increase production while protecting the ecosystems.<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Recently Brazil debated, revisited and issued its new biodiversity access and benefit sharing legal norm and it is being pressured by society to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity. In a megadiverse country, exploring biodiversity can be a very effective way to stimulate conservation and even increase restoration investments. A recent research from the National Industry Confederation (CNI) found interesting results as to company investments in biodiversity. Results from an interview with 120 chief executive officers (CEOs) and executives showed that for 86.7% of them the importance of biodiversity has increased to the company, and that more than half (52.2%) invested in products derived from biodiversity use. In addition, 78.3% invest in actions and processes for exploring biodiversity sustainably, and half of them invest in voluntary conservation projects, with most of them being developed by the largest companies. [27]<\/p>\n

          As indicated in the business-case section above, natural infrastructure is gaining strength in the country. Many practical examples are being developed and partnerships with local governments being made, which is of great significance, given that its basis is forest restoration. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI) (2016), two elements can help pushing this agenda even further: the first is a clear under- standing of the economic benefits arising from these projects; and the second is the sharing of knowledge related to managing natural-infrastructure projects to which we can add building capacity. As for the economic benefits, the recent water crisis affected great industrial regions in Brazil producing enough aware- ness to help companies start considering natural infra- structure as a viable preventive solution to help keep water security levels at a safe margin.<\/p>\n

          Opportunities are clearly arising in the country, projects and initiatives that for years were considered mostly as philanthropic, now are starting to be considered strategic. As the perception of risks and dependencies of ecosystem services become clearer, the trend is to see an increase in these projects.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            When we go back to Rio 1992 and Rio +20 conferences, we can see how Brazil evolved in its environmental agenda. Now, the country has a greater awareness in keeping with the importance of biodiversity. There is a noticeable increase in the number of social and environmental projects and initiatives. We see many voluntary commitments being made despite all the demanding legal requirements. All these combined with an international agenda such as Paris Agreement on Climate and the Sustainable Development Goals, contribute to a better outlook for nature, and thus for all of us.<\/p>\n

            The level of involvement from society and business in the conservation of our natural resources is expanding. Consumers increasingly check how \u201cgreen\u201d a company or its products are; sustainability has become an index that investors look into it. The business sector, through the concept of natural capital, is now understanding how investing in conserving\/restoring nature adds to its productivity and income.<\/p>\n

            It is in this context that governments and nongovernmental organizations should support and collaborate to engage business to an even greater extent in the biodiversity agenda. The scenario now, even in the middle of an economic crisis, is more favorable than ever: we have the attention of the business sec- tor and it has the ability to take decisions and invest in and promote changes much more quickly than any group. Our motivation, and that of our partners, is to help in promoting the sustainability agenda and ever increasing the engagement of companies.<\/p>\n

            ACKNOWLEDGMENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

            We are delighted by the assistance provided by our colleagues throughout the process of preparing this article. Their critical comments helped us to enrich the debate mentioned in this paper. We also like to thank the companies and institutions (AmBev, Brasil Kirin, Coca-Cola, Grupo Botic\u00e1rio, Natura, Souza Cruz, Syngenta, Monsanto and Votorantim) for the business cases they provided and for standing in the vanguard of sustainability.<\/p>\n

            REFERENCES<\/strong><\/p>\n

            [1] CEBDS, Riscos clim\u00e1ticos: como o setor empresarial est\u00e1 se adaptando? (Rio de Janeiro, KPMG, 2015).<\/p>\n

            [2] Carbon Disclosure Project. CDP. Mudan\u00e7as Clim\u00e1ticas Brasil 100. Conex\u00e3o entre mudan\u00e7as clim\u00e1ticas e modelos de neg\u00f3cios: uma agenda em evolu\u00e7\u00e3o. [S.I.], 2014.<\/p>\n

            [3] Brazil, Ministry of the Environment, Brazilian Forest Service, Brazilian Forests at a Glance: Data from 2007 to 2012 (Brasilia, 2013).<\/p>\n

            [4] Norman Myers, Russell A. Mittermeier, Cristina G. Mittermeier, Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca & Jennifer Kent. \u201cBiodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities\u201d, Nature, vol. 403, (24 February 2000). pp. 853-858.<\/p>\n

            [5] Britaldo Soares-Filho, Raoni Raj\u00e3o, Marcia Macedo, Arnaldo Carneiro, William Costa, Michael Coe, Hermann Rodrigues and Ane Alencar, \u201cCracking Brazil\u2019s Forest Code\u201d, Science, vol. 344, Issue 6182 (April 2014), pp. 363 364.<\/p>\n

            [6] Ant\u00f4nio M\u00e1rcio Buainain; Eliseu Alves; Jos\u00e9 Maria da Silveira & Zander Navarro. O mundo rural no Brasil do s\u00e9culo 21: a forma\u00e7\u00e3o de um novo padr\u00e3o agr\u00e1rio e agr\u00edcola. Embrapa.<\/p>\n

            Bras\u00edlia. 2014.<\/p>\n

            [7] Valor Econ\u00f4mico, \u201cC\u00f3digo Florestas exigir\u00e1 R$25 bi de pecuaristas\u201d (Bras\u00edlia, 6 August 2015).<\/p>\n

            [8] Coaliz\u00e3o Brasil, Clima, Florestas e Agricultura. Caminhos para a implementa\u00e7\u00e3o da economia de baixo carbono. Rio de Janeiro, 2016.<\/p>\n

            [9] Instituto Escolhas, How much does Brazil need to invest to recover 12 million hectares of forests, (S\u00e3o Paulo, Coaliz\u00e3o Brazil, Clima, Florestas e Agricultura, May 2016).<\/p>\n

            [10] IBGE, Contas Nacionais Trimestrais: indicadores de volumes e valores correntes (Rio de Janeiro, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estat\u00edstica, June 2016).<\/p>\n

            [11] Available from http:\/\/www.planalto.gov.br\/ccivil_03\/_ato2011- 2014\/2012\/lei\/l12651.htm (accessed 26 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [12] Available from: http:\/\/www.mma.gov.br\/images\/arquivo\/80049\/ Planaveg\/PLANAVEG_20-11-14.pdf (accessed 26 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [13] Available from http:\/\/redd.mma.gov.br\/index.php\/en\/what-is-redd\/frequently-asked-questions (accessed September 2016)<\/p>\n

            [14] Available from http:\/\/cidadespelaagua.com.br\/en\/lp-en\/ (accessed 22 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [15] Available from: https:\/\/www.sosma.org.br\/projeto\/centro-de-experimentos-florestais\/ (accessed 23 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [16] Available from http:\/\/fas-amazonas.org\/parceiros\/parceiros-institucionais\/coca-cola\/ (accessed 23 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [17] Available from http:\/\/blogsyngenta.com.br\/projeto-agua-viva- revitalizando-as-nascentes-2\/ (accessed 23 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [18] Available from: http:\/\/www.legadodasaguas.com.br\/ accessed 23 September 2016)<\/p>\n

            [19] Available from: http:\/\/www.spvs.org.br\/projetos\/parceriaspela- biodiversidade\/ (accessed 23 September 2016)<\/p>\n

            [20] Fabiana Trebilock, \u201cTNC lan\u00e7a o primeiro Plano Estrat\u00e9gico de Restaura\u00e7\u00e3o Florestal para o Alto Teles Pires, MT\u201d, Grupo Cultivar, Pelotas, 21 July 2016. Available from http:\/\/www.grupocultivar.com.br\/noticias\/tnc-lanca-o-primeiro-plano-estrategico-de-restauracao-florestal-para-o-alto-teles- pires-mt<\/p>\n

            [21] Available from: http:\/\/www.conservation.org\/global\/brasil\/ Pages\/paisagens-agricolas-sustentaveis.aspx\u00a0 (accessed\u00a0 23 September 2016)<\/p>\n

            [22] Available from http:\/\/www.fundacaogrupoboticario.org.br\/pt\/o-que-fazemos\/oasis\/pages\/default.aspx (accessed 26 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [23] Available from: http:\/\/www.natura.com.br\/a-natura\/sustentabi- lidade\/programa-carbono-neutro (accessed 26 September 2016).<\/p>\n

            [24] Natural Capital Coalition. Natural Capital Protocol. CEBDS. Rio de Janeiro, 2016.<\/p>\n

            [25] See: http:\/\/www.itauassetmanagement.com.br\/asset\/a-asset\/sustentabilidade\/index.html<\/a> \u00a0(accessed 26 September 2016)<\/p>\n

            [26] Holly K. Gibbs; Jacob Munger; Jessica L. Roe; Paulo Barreto; Ritaumaria Pereira; Mathew Christie; Ticiana Amaral & Nathalie Walker, \u201cFazendeiros e Frigor\u00edficos responderam aos Acordos de Desmatamento Zero na Amaz\u00f4nia Brasileira?\u201d Conservation Letters (Madison, Winconsin, United States of America).<\/p>\n

            [27] CNI, Retrato do uso sustent\u00e1vel da biodiversidade pela ind\u00fastria brasileira (S\u00e3o Paulo, 2016).<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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