Project Muçununga
Restoration of native forests in southern Bahia
1200
hectares
in southern Bahia, in areas owned by Veracel Celulose
8
municipalities
Belmonte, Eunápolis, Guaratinga, Itagimirim, Itapebi, Mascote, Potiraguá e Santa Luzia
100
species
all native, such as Araçá, Copaíba, Guapuruvu, Ipê Amarelo, Jacaranda da Bahia and Jatobá
40
years
of forest monitoring and care
14
communities
involved with
social benefits
social benefits
Expected results...
Climate
Atlantic Forest restoration aids in mitigating the climate crisis by removing carbon from the atmosphere
Biodiversity
Planting a wide variety of native species will help reestablish habitats and strengthen ecological food chains
Social Impact
The project engages local communities and creates opportunities for shared value and positive social impact
Carbon Credits
Generation of high-integrity carbon credits, ensuring benefits for the environment, biodiversity, and local communities
Integrated Implementation &
large-scale restoration
Project Muçununga restores the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia through an integrated approach that combines biodiversity recovery, carbon removal, the generation of social benefits, and the strengthening of ecological connectivity throughout the landscape.
Implemented by Biomas and Carbon2Nature Brasil in lands owned by Veracel, the initiative adopts the “stepping stones” concept, in which different areas of native vegetation, recreated through restoration, function as connection points in a fragmented landscape. By forming new habitats and expanding species circulation, the project contributes to the protection of the region’s fauna and flora, including endangered species.
With a R$87.2 million financing investment improved by The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), through The Climate Fund, Project Muçununga strengthens a high-integrity ecological restoration agenda in Brazil. The support expands the conditions for projects like this to scale, combining climate, environmental, and social benefits, contributing to positioning Brazil as a global reference in nature-based solutions.
Implemented by Biomas and Carbon2Nature Brasil in lands owned by Veracel, the initiative adopts the “stepping stones” concept, in which different areas of native vegetation, recreated through restoration, function as connection points in a fragmented landscape. By forming new habitats and expanding species circulation, the project contributes to the protection of the region’s fauna and flora, including endangered species.
With a R$87.2 million financing investment improved by The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), through The Climate Fund, Project Muçununga strengthens a high-integrity ecological restoration agenda in Brazil. The support expands the conditions for projects like this to scale, combining climate, environmental, and social benefits, contributing to positioning Brazil as a global reference in nature-based solutions.
Muçununga Project Stages
Mapping of
areas to be restored
areas to be restored
Dialogue with communities and other stakeholders
Planning,
soil preparation,
and planting
soil preparation,
and planting
Forest health
monitoring
monitoring
Carbon credit
trading
trading
Social Action in the Territory
Restoring ecosystems is also about restoring connections, building trust, and strengthening the autonomy of the territories. At Project Muçununga, social action is part of the restoration architecture: a process built from listening, dialogue, and the joint definition of actions capable of creating benefits for the local communities and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the forest.
More than 800 families in 14 communities will benefit from initiatives focused on well-being, with investments in income generation, infrastructure improvement, environmental education, and community empowerment, among other benefits. These actions are the result of a structured engagement process with stakeholder engagement, conducted in stages that allow for understanding the territory, comprehending its social dynamics, and building solutions connected to local needs.
More than 800 families in 14 communities will benefit from initiatives focused on well-being, with investments in income generation, infrastructure improvement, environmental education, and community empowerment, among other benefits. These actions are the result of a structured engagement process with stakeholder engagement, conducted in stages that allow for understanding the territory, comprehending its social dynamics, and building solutions connected to local needs.
Stakeholder Engagement Phases
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Understanding
We develop a socioeconomic and environmental diagnosis that combines data analysis, field visits, observation, and dialogue with local communities and other stakeholders to support all of the existing relationships in the territory.
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Consultation
Through meetings, workshops, and structured conversations, we seek to understand expectations, concerns, and demands of these communities, building a series of actions focused on the shared benefits, while maintaining the context from findings of the previous stage.
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Implementation
The projects defined jointly in the previous stages are put into practice, guaranteeing that the commitments made are carried out with transparency, thoughtful communication, and continuous presence in the territory.
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Monitoring
We monitor the results of the actions to evaluate their effects and verify if the commitments made are generating relevant transformations for the communities.
Learn more about some of the projects implemented by Project Muçununga
Involved organizations
Project Muçununga is Financed by BNDES Through the Climate Fund.
Implementation
Biomas
Biomas is a large-scale ecological restoration business that works to regenerate Brazilian ecosystems with a rich variety of species, recuperate biodiversity, and restore original functions. Biomas emerged from a union between six leading companies and banks around a positive impact initiative. Companies include Itaú, Marfrig, Rabobank, Santander, Suzano, and Vale.
Carbon2Nature Brasil
Carbon2Nature Brasil is a joint venture of 51% Iberdrola and 49% Neoenergia, created to develop high-impact Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects. Their goal is to reduce the global carbon footprint, increase biodiversity, promote a sustainable economy, and support clients on their journey toward net-zero emissions.
Partnership
Veracel
It is a Brazilian bioeconomy company that integrates forestry, industrial, and logistics operations, resulting in an average annual production of 1.1 million tons of pulp, and generating over 3,200 direct and indirect jobs in Bahia and Minas Gerais.
Documents and Policies