Villars, Switzerland – 27 January 2025 –
The governor of Tocantins, Wanderlei Barbosa, signed on Saturday, the 25th, in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, the Negotiation Protocol for Forest Restoration. The document outlines the creation of an entity for the restoration of degraded areas in Tocantins, named Tocantins Restaura. The first area to be restored is expected to cover up to 12,000 hectares and will provide, in addition to environmental benefits, direct involvement of the communities. The initial investment estimated for the action is budgeted at R$ 120 million.
The launch of Tocantins Restaura was formalized through a partnership between Tocantins Parcerias (Topar) and Silvania – the US$ 500 million nature investment vehicle backed by Mercuria Energy Trading – and Geonoma, which will be responsible for the restoration work and will work under the guidance of the Instituto Natureza do Tocantins (Naturatins), responsible for all conservation units in the state of Tocantins. This announcement follows the launch of the Race to Belém by Silvania – together with The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International – which is an initiative to rapidly accelerate private sector financing for Brazilian forests. Silvania will work to ensure that the work of the SPE and the Race to Belém are aligned and mutually supportive.
Operations will begin one month after the protocol is signed. Their purpose will be to carry out environmental restoration activities in degraded areas of interest to Tocantins through investments made by Silvania, using, managing, and implementing actions directly or indirectly at the regional level.
“We want this initiative to be replicated within and outside the state of Tocantins. We believe we have established the best model for the restoration of degraded areas with the participation of private capital and full respect for local communities. Tocantins is an example in policies to combat the climate emergency, which bring economic and social development. The state also stands out in strengthening its environmental agencies such as Naturatins, which is essential for this process,” highlights Governor Wanderlei Barbosa.
Strategic Partnership and Local Benefits
The project will involve local communities to leverage their accumulated knowledge about regional specifics and to combat fires and deforestation. Furthermore, the initiative will generate employment and income through environmental training, promotion of ecotourism, and environmentally sustainable practices.
“With this project, we are reaffirming Tocantins’ commitment to sustainability and to the people who live in and care for our territory. It combines environmental protection, job creation, and economic development, aligned with the conservation of our ecosystems,” reinforces the Secretary of State for the Environment and Water Resources, Marcello Lelis.
The goal is to improve climate regulation by absorbing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and maintaining standing forests, as well as restoring the water regulation of rivers and tributaries that depend on the protection of springs and banks, soil protection, and combating erosion, providing opportunities for research and development of bioeconomy activities.
The techniques applied will include total planting, enrichment and densification, nucleation, direct seeding, and assisted natural regeneration, using methods that favor the emergence and multiplication of natural regenerants, weed competition control, and integrated fire management.
“To define the processes to be executed in each area, diagnostics will be conducted to precisely identify the causes of degradation and the main social actions to serve the traditional communities living in these locations, with active participation in the project,” emphasizes Governor Wanderlei Barbosa.
For the president of Tocantins Parcerias, Aleandro Lacerda, “an initiative like this, led by the state, will have a special focus on compliance and governance, ensuring respect for individual rights and best practices in public-private relations.”
The director of Mercuria in Brazil, Celso Fiori, emphasizes that “the restoration of such biodiverse ecosystems promotes environmental gains that go far beyond the removal of greenhouse gases. Biodiversity returns to coexist virtuously with the local population, providing well-being and a source of income.”
To ensure the effectiveness of restoration actions, the initiative will also integrate advanced studies on the recovery of soil microbiota, recognized as an essential element for the regeneration of degraded areas. The revitalization of microbiota will favor the balance of local ecosystems, promoting carbon retention, improving natural fertility, and supporting biodiversity.
About the Organizations
About Naturatins: The Instituto Natureza do Tocantins (Naturatins) has the primary function of promoting environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in the state. Naturatins is responsible for various activities, including environmental enforcement, management of conservation units, implementation of public policies aimed at environmental protection, and promotion of environmental education projects. Additionally, the institute works in partnership with other organizations and the government to develop initiatives aimed at biodiversity preservation and the recovery of degraded areas.
About Tocantins Parcerias: Tocantins Parcerias is a mixed-economy joint-stock company controlled by the state, created by Law No. 2,616 of 2012. Its function is to execute real estate activities of state interest, such as acquisition, administration, rental, and disposal of assets, as well as carrying out environmental, infrastructure, and road works and services throughout the state.
About Silvania: Silvania is a global investment initiative dedicated to environmental preservation, with an initial portfolio of US$ 500 million. Focused on innovative solutions, the company accelerates projects that combine sustainability with robust financial results, helping to preserve strategic ecosystems around the world.
About Mercuria: Mercuria Energy Trading is one of the largest global companies in the energy sector, with diversified operations ranging from commodity trading to investments in renewable energies. Its commitment to sustainability includes initiatives that promote environmental preservation and sustainable economic development.
About Geonoma: Geonoma is a company specializing in environmental restoration and conservation, providing comprehensive solutions for the regeneration of degraded ecosystems. Its work combines technical innovation with community engagement, creating sustainable long-term results.