Afforestation in Brazil: The final highlight of our 2024 climate action calendar

As the final highlight of our 2024 climate action calendar, the Fazenda Sâo Paulo afforestation project in Brazil exemplifies the power of environmental restoration. From reforesting degraded grasslands to rejuvenating savannas, this initiative showcases the critical role afforestation plays in combating climate change, supporting biodiversity, and empowering communities. In this blog, we explore how this transformative project is revitalising the Cerrado biome, the world's most biodiverse tropical savanna, while creating a sustainable future for people and wildlife alike.  

The importance of afforestation

Afforestation, the process of planting trees on degraded or underused land, plays a crucial role in combating deforestation and restoring ecosystems. This natural solution improves soil health, enhances biodiversity, and captures carbon dioxide, making it an essential tool in the fight against climate change.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), afforestation will likely be necessary to limit global warming to below 1.5°C. By implementing afforestation efforts globally, we can make significant strides toward a more sustainable, healthy planet for future generations.

Afforestation in São Paulo, Brazil 

The Fazenda Sâo Paulo afforestation project is dedicated to transforming 286 hectares of degraded grassland into vibrant forestland in the heart of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Using Eucalyptus uro-grandis, a hybrid eucalyptus species, the project shifts the land use from low-productivity cattle ranching - where grass was regularly burned to manage pasture - to a sustainable forest system.

Beyond afforestation, the project also focuses on restoring the natural savanna surrounding the area. Together, the eucalyptus plantations and restored savanna will create a diverse, patchwork landscape typical of the Cerrado biome, one of the world’s most biodiverse tropical savannas. This initiative helps protect soil, revitalise ecosystems, and promote long-term sustainability.  

The benefits of afforestation

Afforestation projects such as the Sâo Paulo, Brazil initiative offer significant benefits for the planet, people, and wildlife. By sequestering carbon dioxide and improving air quality, they help mitigate climate change. For local communities, these projects create jobs, boost soil fertility, and encourage sustainable land practices, supporting both economic and social resilience. For wildlife, afforestation restores vital habitats, enhances biodiversity, and helps protect species that depend on healthy ecosystems.

Overall, afforestation provides a powerful balance between environmental restoration and human well-being, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for all.  

Reflecting on our climate action calendar 2024  

The Fazenda Sâo Paulo Agroforestry project in Brazil marks the final initiative in our 2024 climate action calendar. Over the past year, we've spotlighted and funded a diverse range of global projects dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and restoring critical ecosystems.

Together, these initiatives have helped avoid 176.92 tonnes and remove 22 tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere, while restoring 44.44 m² of habitats worldwide. From blue carbon efforts in Pakistan and wetland restoration in the UK to solar energy projects in Morocco and afforestation in Brazil, we've supported impactful work around the globe.

As we conclude this year of climate action, we invite you to celebrate the positive, lasting changes these projects have brought to our planet, communities, and ecosystems.