News
Our unique trajectory allows us to perform large-scale restoration and, for us, scale is the fundamental ingredient for forest recovery.
re.green signs a landmark forest restoration project with Microsoft
re.green has finalized its largest carbon removal (CDR) project to date. re.green will deliver approximately 3 million tons of carbon removal credits over a 15-year period through the restoration of forests using solely native species, encompassing the planting of at least 10.7 million seedlings. This offtake agreement will backstop the restoration of over 16,000 hectares across Brazil (over half of which is already acquired with restoration activities underway), including in the States of Maranhão and Bahia.
re.green's project offers world-leading science and business solutions for ecological restoration at scale with significant benefits to biodiversity and local workforce development. Moreover, re.green leverages satellite imagery, drones, and cloud-based machine learning models to optimize and monitor land selection and carbon capture validation. Further, this announcement highlights Brazil's leadership on the global stage as a host for high-quality nature-based solutions at scale.
Thiago Picolo, our CEO, stresses: "Our company has positioned itself to meet the demands of a market that requires stringent standards for quality. We consider Microsoft’s carbon removal program to be a global benchmark for high integrity carbon removal and a leader in scientific advancement, validating our trajectory. This collaboration serves as tangible evidence that this market not only exists but has significant potential for growth in Brazil. We are committed to forging additional partnerships of this caliber."
“We value the science-led innovation and business execution that re.green brings to this agreement. High-quality, nature-based solutions are vital to addressing climate change and we are excited to pursue this offtake deal in Brazil with re.green,” stated Brian Marrs, Senior Director for Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. “Projects like those undertaken by re.green are an important part of our carbon removal portfolio.”
"Microsoft’s offtake agreement reinforces re.green's action-oriented core trait from its inception, with experts with over 30 years of hands-on research and implementation experience in the restoration cycle. We translate scientific knowledge into practical technology,” explains Thiago. "Our involvement spans managing native seed nurseries to engaging in meaningful dialogue and community outreach."
The decision to focus on the Atlantic Forest, the most deforested biome in Brazil, underscores the importance of evidence-based decisions guided by spatial prioritization algorithms and ecological potential. "The exceptional biodiversity impacts in Southern Bahia attracted Microsoft's attention to the Atlantic Forest," notes Bernardo Strassburg, our founder and chief scientist. Over the past two years, multiple scientific research activities have commenced within project areas now encompassed by the agreement with Microsoft, advancing scientific knowledge for environmental restoration and conservation.
Acknowledging the importance of this biome, we has implemented innovative strategies, such as a cycle of planting and harvesting native timber, to facilitate restoration. Bernardo emphasizes: "The Atlantic Forest holds special significance for us; nowhere else on the planet does 1 ha of restored land prevent more species extinctions."
Simultaneously, the Amazon Forest serves as the central pillar for scalability due to its vast potential to expand nature's presence and deliver substantial environmental benefits to both ecosystems and local communities.
re.green has finalized its largest carbon removal (CDR) project to date. re.green will deliver approximately 3 million tons of carbon removal credits over a 15-year period through the restoration of forests using solely native species, encompassing the planting of at least 10.7 million seedlings. This offtake agreement will backstop the restoration of over 16,000 hectares across Brazil (over half of which is already acquired with restoration activities underway), including in the States of Maranhão and Bahia.
re.green's project offers world-leading science and business solutions for ecological restoration at scale with significant benefits to biodiversity and local workforce development. Moreover, re.green leverages satellite imagery, drones, and cloud-based machine learning models to optimize and monitor land selection and carbon capture validation. Further, this announcement highlights Brazil's leadership on the global stage as a host for high-quality nature-based solutions at scale.
Thiago Picolo, our CEO, stresses: "Our company has positioned itself to meet the demands of a market that requires stringent standards for quality. We consider Microsoft’s carbon removal program to be a global benchmark for high integrity carbon removal and a leader in scientific advancement, validating our trajectory. This collaboration serves as tangible evidence that this market not only exists but has significant potential for growth in Brazil. We are committed to forging additional partnerships of this caliber."
“We value the science-led innovation and business execution that re.green brings to this agreement. High-quality, nature-based solutions are vital to addressing climate change and we are excited to pursue this offtake deal in Brazil with re.green,” stated Brian Marrs, Senior Director for Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. “Projects like those undertaken by re.green are an important part of our carbon removal portfolio.”
"Microsoft’s offtake agreement reinforces re.green's action-oriented core trait from its inception, with experts with over 30 years of hands-on research and implementation experience in the restoration cycle. We translate scientific knowledge into practical technology,” explains Thiago. "Our involvement spans managing native seed nurseries to engaging in meaningful dialogue and community outreach."
The decision to focus on the Atlantic Forest, the most deforested biome in Brazil, underscores the importance of evidence-based decisions guided by spatial prioritization algorithms and ecological potential. "The exceptional biodiversity impacts in Southern Bahia attracted Microsoft's attention to the Atlantic Forest," notes Bernardo Strassburg, our founder and chief scientist. Over the past two years, multiple scientific research activities have commenced within project areas now encompassed by the agreement with Microsoft, advancing scientific knowledge for environmental restoration and conservation.
Acknowledging the importance of this biome, we has implemented innovative strategies, such as a cycle of planting and harvesting native timber, to facilitate restoration. Bernardo emphasizes: "The Atlantic Forest holds special significance for us; nowhere else on the planet does 1 ha of restored land prevent more species extinctions."
Simultaneously, the Amazon Forest serves as the central pillar for scalability due to its vast potential to expand nature's presence and deliver substantial environmental benefits to both ecosystems and local communities.
Featured on Brazil's Globo Rural
The segment, aired last Sunday morning (7th), offered a deeper look into our project in Bahia, where we've already planted 347 hectares of native trees.
Additionally, the piece highlights the carbon yield and how investors have found rural production to be a promising destination for effective resource investment.
As explained by our Technical Council scientist, Ricardo Rodrigues, cultivating forests proves to be a savvy solution in tackling the greenhouse effect. "Everyone is feeling the impact! Agriculture and people are grappling with the challenges posed by the lack or irregularity of rainfall. So, we urgently need to make decisions to effectively capture the carbon we've been emitting for decades into the atmosphere."
The segment, aired last Sunday morning (7th), offered a deeper look into our project in Bahia, where we've already planted 347 hectares of native trees.
Additionally, the piece highlights the carbon yield and how investors have found rural production to be a promising destination for effective resource investment.
As explained by our Technical Council scientist, Ricardo Rodrigues, cultivating forests proves to be a savvy solution in tackling the greenhouse effect. "Everyone is feeling the impact! Agriculture and people are grappling with the challenges posed by the lack or irregularity of rainfall. So, we urgently need to make decisions to effectively capture the carbon we've been emitting for decades into the atmosphere."
re.green on the Fortune Impact20 list!
We've landed a coveted spot on the 2023 Fortune Impact 20 list! As the only Latin company in the lineup, we're standing shoulder to shoulder with global innovators who effortlessly blend profit and purpose, creating societal impact.
This international recognition spotlights re.green's commitment, seamlessly integrating technical excellence, scientific innovation, and scale.
A big shout-out to each and every re.greener! Your dedication is what gets us closer to restore native forests at scale!
We've landed a coveted spot on the 2023 Fortune Impact 20 list! As the only Latin company in the lineup, we're standing shoulder to shoulder with global innovators who effortlessly blend profit and purpose, creating societal impact.
This international recognition spotlights re.green's commitment, seamlessly integrating technical excellence, scientific innovation, and scale.
A big shout-out to each and every re.greener! Your dedication is what gets us closer to restore native forests at scale!
Interview with João Moreira Salles
"Protecting the Amazon is our civilizing duty," says João Moreira Salles
The documentarian launches a book about the forest, establishes an ecological restoration company, and produces a documentary about indigenous activist Txai Suruí.
re.green was born from a meeting I had with the researcher Bernardo Strassburg, who received a scholarship from the Serrapilheira Institute, founded by myself and my wife, Branca Vianna, to support basic science in Brazil. He published a remarkable paper in the scientific journal Nature, identifying priority areas in the Atlantic Forest for restoration. Later, he created a global model: which areas worldwide are a priority for restoration based on parameters such as carbon and biodiversity.
And Brazil is a restoration hotspot: the country has the highest number of priority areas for forest restoration. It spans 58,000 square kilometers, which is larger than Switzerland. These are lands that have been opened up and, as they stand today, serve no purpose. So, having an ecological restoration company in the country makes sense. I introduced Bernardo to some friends of mine from the private sector who know how to get a company off the ground. From there, things flourished, and re.green emerged.
Read the full article here.
"Protecting the Amazon is our civilizing duty," says João Moreira Salles
The documentarian launches a book about the forest, establishes an ecological restoration company, and produces a documentary about indigenous activist Txai Suruí.
re.green was born from a meeting I had with the researcher Bernardo Strassburg, who received a scholarship from the Serrapilheira Institute, founded by myself and my wife, Branca Vianna, to support basic science in Brazil. He published a remarkable paper in the scientific journal Nature, identifying priority areas in the Atlantic Forest for restoration. Later, he created a global model: which areas worldwide are a priority for restoration based on parameters such as carbon and biodiversity.
And Brazil is a restoration hotspot: the country has the highest number of priority areas for forest restoration. It spans 58,000 square kilometers, which is larger than Switzerland. These are lands that have been opened up and, as they stand today, serve no purpose. So, having an ecological restoration company in the country makes sense. I introduced Bernardo to some friends of mine from the private sector who know how to get a company off the ground. From there, things flourished, and re.green emerged.
Read the full article here.
Nature's Day: preserving to ensure everyone's future
"Solutions for climate and nature must go hand in hand," says Thiago Picolo - CEO of re.green
The economist, who participated in the Climate Week in New York, explains what ecological restoration proposed by the company in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest is, and talks about expanding to other biomes.
"re.green defines itself as an 'ecological restoration' company. What does that mean? We take areas that were deforested in the past, decades, or centuries ago, and restore the original ecosystem. We do this in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, with two significant advantages. One is the geospatial understanding, through algorithms and tools, to know where it is really worthwhile to invest in restoring a deforested area. Not only in terms of the capacity for that restoration to 'sequester' carbon, but also to contribute positively to promoting biodiversity and opportunities for communities nearby. The second advantage is that we master different restoration models. If you're restoring a highly degraded area from the past, you'll need more processes. In a region deforested more recently, you can work with natural regeneration itself. Understanding what to do is crucial. If you do something wrong, you might end up spending much more than necessary or spend too little and not have a high-quality forest."
"Solutions for climate and nature must go hand in hand," says Thiago Picolo - CEO of re.green
The economist, who participated in the Climate Week in New York, explains what ecological restoration proposed by the company in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest is, and talks about expanding to other biomes.
"re.green defines itself as an 'ecological restoration' company. What does that mean? We take areas that were deforested in the past, decades, or centuries ago, and restore the original ecosystem. We do this in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, with two significant advantages. One is the geospatial understanding, through algorithms and tools, to know where it is really worthwhile to invest in restoring a deforested area. Not only in terms of the capacity for that restoration to 'sequester' carbon, but also to contribute positively to promoting biodiversity and opportunities for communities nearby. The second advantage is that we master different restoration models. If you're restoring a highly degraded area from the past, you'll need more processes. In a region deforested more recently, you can work with natural regeneration itself. Understanding what to do is crucial. If you do something wrong, you might end up spending much more than necessary or spend too little and not have a high-quality forest."
Web Summit 2023
The Web Summit is one of the world's largest technology conferences and had its first edition in Brazil in 2023. re.green believes that climate discussions must be part of these global platforms to enhance the visibility of the urgent environmental challenges we face and to showcase the innovative solutions emerging to achieve climate goals.
At the Web Summit Rio, re.green made its debut on a panel featuring Bernardo Strassburg, the founder and chief scientist of re.green, and Mariana Vasconcelos, co-founder and CEO of Agrosmart, discussing how sustainability can transform our ecosystems. During the panel, they explored how science enables nature-based solutions to be implemented at scale.
Furthermore, at the event, re.green's CEO, Thiago Picolo, hosted the Masterclass "Building nature-based solutions with trees and tech," emphasizing the integration of technology and nature as the primary tool in combating climate change.
Read the article about re.green's event here.
The Web Summit is one of the world's largest technology conferences and had its first edition in Brazil in 2023. re.green believes that climate discussions must be part of these global platforms to enhance the visibility of the urgent environmental challenges we face and to showcase the innovative solutions emerging to achieve climate goals.
At the Web Summit Rio, re.green made its debut on a panel featuring Bernardo Strassburg, the founder and chief scientist of re.green, and Mariana Vasconcelos, co-founder and CEO of Agrosmart, discussing how sustainability can transform our ecosystems. During the panel, they explored how science enables nature-based solutions to be implemented at scale.
Furthermore, at the event, re.green's CEO, Thiago Picolo, hosted the Masterclass "Building nature-based solutions with trees and tech," emphasizing the integration of technology and nature as the primary tool in combating climate change.
Read the article about re.green's event here.
Climate Week 2023
re.green took part in the 2023 Climate Week in NYC, contributing insights and initiatives on how businesses can positively impact nature, society, and their bottom line, all while championing biodiversity and forest resilience.
At "The Business Case for Nature" panel, hosted in collaboration with CBDES Sustentável and the Brazil Coalition, re.green's chief scientist engaged in discussions with moderator Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran from The Economist, Marcelo Behar, VP of Sustainability at Natura & Co, Catherine Martini from Microsoft's Carbon Removal division, and Mariana Sarmiento, CEO of Terrasos.
Some of the critical points raised by the panelists were:
- The emergence of markets for ecosystem services.
- Nature as an indispensable foundation in contemporary business models.
- The potential for economic savings and life preservation through natural infrastructure.
Together, these leaders are illuminating the path to building prosperity by cherishing the natural world.
re.green took part in the 2023 Climate Week in NYC, contributing insights and initiatives on how businesses can positively impact nature, society, and their bottom line, all while championing biodiversity and forest resilience.
At "The Business Case for Nature" panel, hosted in collaboration with CBDES Sustentável and the Brazil Coalition, re.green's chief scientist engaged in discussions with moderator Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran from The Economist, Marcelo Behar, VP of Sustainability at Natura & Co, Catherine Martini from Microsoft's Carbon Removal division, and Mariana Sarmiento, CEO of Terrasos.
Some of the critical points raised by the panelists were:
- The emergence of markets for ecosystem services.
- Nature as an indispensable foundation in contemporary business models.
- The potential for economic savings and life preservation through natural infrastructure.
Together, these leaders are illuminating the path to building prosperity by cherishing the natural world.
re.green at COP27!
COP27, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, is one of the most important events in the world to discuss environmental issues. In 2022, the event took place in Sharm-El-Sheik, in Egypt and re.green had to be there!
In the first week, we promoted a panel entitled “Ecological Potentials of Restoration for Climate Change, Biodiversity and other Goals for Sustainable Development” at ICC's (International Chamber of Commerce) stand . The meeting brought together David Cooper (Assistant Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity), Izabella Teixeira (Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel) and Judith Walcott (Senior Safeguards Specialist, UN Environment Program) as well as Bernardo Strassburg, our founder and Co-CEO.
Our team also participated as guests in several panels at other stands. Bernardo Strassburg even presented his contributions to carbon mitigation in the panel “Protecting Biodiversity and Expanding Nature-Based Solutions”. During the event, organized by McKinsey & Company, he explained how re.green intends to “carry out a large-scale ecological restoration, with solutions to be implemented in partnership with local communities”.
Also at COP27, our international relations director, Mariana Barbosa, claimed that “Forest restoration is a way of mitigating climate change and also of protecting biodiversity, which allows it to have a social impact, with the generation of jobs and the strengthening of local nurseries and supply chain's collectors”, during the panel “Financing solutions based on nature and scaling forest restoration in Brazil”.
re.green's participation at COP27 happened all over the globe. In Brazil, Fernando Gardon, our forestry engineer, contributed to a news report on the event by Jornal da Globo. He spoke about the importance of forest restoration in mitigating the effects of climate change.
This year, re.green is set to be present at COP28 in Dubai.
It's worth noting that the city of Pará, Brazil, has been selected as the host for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled for 2025.
COP27, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, is one of the most important events in the world to discuss environmental issues. In 2022, the event took place in Sharm-El-Sheik, in Egypt and re.green had to be there!
In the first week, we promoted a panel entitled “Ecological Potentials of Restoration for Climate Change, Biodiversity and other Goals for Sustainable Development” at ICC's (International Chamber of Commerce) stand . The meeting brought together David Cooper (Assistant Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity), Izabella Teixeira (Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel) and Judith Walcott (Senior Safeguards Specialist, UN Environment Program) as well as Bernardo Strassburg, our founder and Co-CEO.
Our team also participated as guests in several panels at other stands. Bernardo Strassburg even presented his contributions to carbon mitigation in the panel “Protecting Biodiversity and Expanding Nature-Based Solutions”. During the event, organized by McKinsey & Company, he explained how re.green intends to “carry out a large-scale ecological restoration, with solutions to be implemented in partnership with local communities”.
Also at COP27, our international relations director, Mariana Barbosa, claimed that “Forest restoration is a way of mitigating climate change and also of protecting biodiversity, which allows it to have a social impact, with the generation of jobs and the strengthening of local nurseries and supply chain's collectors”, during the panel “Financing solutions based on nature and scaling forest restoration in Brazil”.
re.green's participation at COP27 happened all over the globe. In Brazil, Fernando Gardon, our forestry engineer, contributed to a news report on the event by Jornal da Globo. He spoke about the importance of forest restoration in mitigating the effects of climate change.
This year, re.green is set to be present at COP28 in Dubai.
It's worth noting that the city of Pará, Brazil, has been selected as the host for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled for 2025.
re.green wins the Latam iImpact recognition!
Latam Positive Impact Startup has recognized us with their award , which evaluates the socio-environmental impact generated by companies throughout Latin America.
The iImpact seal, developed by Innovation Latam in partnership with Fundação Dom Cabral, evaluates competitors according to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
re.green went even made it to the top 3 list of the following objectives:
SDG 13: Combating climate change
SDG 15: Life on Earth
We are very happy to be awarded for our potential to make a difference!
Latam Positive Impact Startup has recognized us with their award , which evaluates the socio-environmental impact generated by companies throughout Latin America.
The iImpact seal, developed by Innovation Latam in partnership with Fundação Dom Cabral, evaluates competitors according to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
re.green went even made it to the top 3 list of the following objectives:
SDG 13: Combating climate change
SDG 15: Life on Earth
We are very happy to be awarded for our potential to make a difference!
Planting seeds: our first project
In 2022, we had a very important milestone: our first project took shape at Ouro Verde farm. The farm is located in the south of Bahia, in the Eunápolis region and is part of the Atlantic Forest. Our first seeds were planted in October and have already spread across 336 hectares. For us, starting with the Atlantic Forest has a symbolic value, as some of our scientists have been conducting research in the region for over 30 years.
Also in 2022, at COP15, a UN event focusing on Biodiversity, the Atlantic Forest was declared by the United Nations to be one of the ten benchmark initiatives for global restoration. This recognition came after the organization elected the period from 2021 to 2030 as the Decade of Restoration. The decision reinforces what we at re.green have always known: the fundamental importance of regenerating this Brazilian biome!
Our story in ecological restoration begins with Ouro Verde but since then we have expanded. Today, we already have another restoration area in the region and we are expanding into the Amazon!
In 2022, we had a very important milestone: our first project took shape at Ouro Verde farm. The farm is located in the south of Bahia, in the Eunápolis region and is part of the Atlantic Forest. Our first seeds were planted in October and have already spread across 336 hectares. For us, starting with the Atlantic Forest has a symbolic value, as some of our scientists have been conducting research in the region for over 30 years.
Also in 2022, at COP15, a UN event focusing on Biodiversity, the Atlantic Forest was declared by the United Nations to be one of the ten benchmark initiatives for global restoration. This recognition came after the organization elected the period from 2021 to 2030 as the Decade of Restoration. The decision reinforces what we at re.green have always known: the fundamental importance of regenerating this Brazilian biome!
Our story in ecological restoration begins with Ouro Verde but since then we have expanded. Today, we already have another restoration area in the region and we are expanding into the Amazon!
Two of the most notable Brazilian scientists in the world are from re.green!
Out of the 20 most relevant Brazilian scientists in the world two are a part of re.green, according to a survey by the “Highly Cited Researchers 2022” carried out by Clarivate Analytics.
Bernardo Strassburg, our Co-CEO and founder, and Pedro Brancalion, who coordinates major research and technology projects, were among the 6,938 researchers worldwide who “have demonstrated significant and broad influence reflected in the publication of several highly cited articles over the past decade” . Clarivate Analytics is based on a variety of metrics, but specifically uses publications made between 2011 and 2021.
The scientists on the list represent 1 in every 1,000 researchers on the planet. We are very proud!
Out of the 20 most relevant Brazilian scientists in the world two are a part of re.green, according to a survey by the “Highly Cited Researchers 2022” carried out by Clarivate Analytics.
Bernardo Strassburg, our Co-CEO and founder, and Pedro Brancalion, who coordinates major research and technology projects, were among the 6,938 researchers worldwide who “have demonstrated significant and broad influence reflected in the publication of several highly cited articles over the past decade” . Clarivate Analytics is based on a variety of metrics, but specifically uses publications made between 2011 and 2021.
The scientists on the list represent 1 in every 1,000 researchers on the planet. We are very proud!