Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer and a global leader in eucalyptus-based bioproducts, has established a partnership with BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank) to restore 24,000 hectares of degraded areas in permanent preservation Areas and legal reserves across the Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Amazon biomes. The agreement includes R$ 250 million in funding — the largest amount ever approved by the Climate Fund for native forest restoration in Brazil. The Climate Fund was created to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote adaptation to climate change impacts.
Ecological restoration is a process focused on recovering the functionality and biodiversity of ecosystems altered by human activities, including sites with poorly established native flora or those in a state of conservation insufficient to sustain local biodiversity.
The project initiatives will support the environmental compliance of over 1,000 rural properties across six Brazilian states: São Paulo, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Maranhão, Pará and Mato Grosso do Sul. The project introduces an innovative forest restoration model for the forestry sector, positioning Suzano as a key driver of reforestation efforts using native species among its suppliers. This approach strengthens the supply chain and sets a benchmark for the sector and other economic activities.
Of the total area to be restored, 60% are located on third-party properties belonging to Suzano’s partners. The collaboration between the Company and BNDES will help disseminate good practices by training landowners and rural workers from leased and neighboring areas in restoration techniques, while also creating both direct and indirect jobs throughout the planting, maintenance, and monitoring phases throughout the restoration input supply chain.
“BNDES’ support for our restoration program underscores the vital role of public-private partnerships in expanding the reach of nature-based solutions,” said Malu Paiva, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, Communications, and Brand at Suzano. “This funding will directly contribute to advancing some of Suzano’s goals, such as connecting 500,000 hectares of native vegetation by 2030,” she added.
“BNDES has been coordinating and driving forest restoration as a crucial instrument to address the climate crisis, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable development, which is a top priority for President Lula’s administration,” emphasized Aloizio Mercadante, president of BNDES.
In addition to the environmental compliance of properties, the restoration of degraded areas will deliver relevant ecosystem services to the surrounding regions, including the recovery of native vegetation, reduction of areas affected by erosive processes, protection of springs and water resources, increase of biodiversity, creation or reestablishment of ecological corridors, and carbon capture. These benefits, which align with Suzano’s commitments, also support national and international goals for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
The project will employ a range of adaptive methodologies, blending innovative techniques, such as drone seeding, with consolidated practices in environmental restoration. Restoration efforts will focus on areas with exposed soil, pastureland, secondary vegetation (zones undergoing natural regeneration of native flora following partial or complete removal of the original vegetation), and agricultural lands. Taking into account site-specific factors—such as the degree of degradation and proximity to native vegetation—tailored methodologies will be applied to ensure the most effective restoration outcomes.
Alongside field operations, Suzano will invest in forestry research and innovation to enhance the productivity and resilience of planted forests, while also strengthening the forest restoration supply chain. By the end of the project, the vegetation in the restored areas is expected to capture approximately 228,000 tons of CO2 equivalent from the atmosphere each year.
The financing approval agreement was presented to Suzano by the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, during the “BNDES Forests of Brazil for the Whole Planet” event, held in October in Rio de Janeiro.