In our work to promote land restoration, we engage in on-the-ground actions by developing and supporting collaborative projects that aim to restore nature – focusing on a nature-based1 land restoration project in Brazil.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme is our first initiative to restore rural land in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil using native species. The project aims to benefit local communities, the flora and fauna in the region, and global efforts to promote biodiversity and combat climate change.
Why is land restoration important?
Loss of the world’s forests is concerning as it means habitat loss for all the animals, plants, and insects that depend on these forests2. Furthermore, through a loss in forest carbon stocks and a reduction in the land carbon sink, deforestation contributes to climate change3.
We all need to work together to restore biodiversity, mitigate climate change and protect the planet. The Araucaria Conservation Programme, developed in collaboration with Apremavi, a Brazilian NGO specialising in conservation and restoration projects since 1987, is our first land restoration project.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme
The Atlantic Forest is one of the wealthiest biomes, but also the second most endangered in the world. Today only 12% of its original area is preserved4. This puts thousands of species at risk of extinction while depriving the region – and the world – of critical carbon-absorbing forestland.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme aims to restore and protect 7,000 hectares of land in this area by 2030. That’s the equivalent of 9,800 football pitches, targeting an area of particular risk that today only has 2 % of its original area protected5. This restoration will secure additional carbon removals from the atmosphere, and it will be quantified in a transparent way using a carbon certification standard called Social Carbon6. While Tetra Pak of course continues to focus on the reduction of our operational emissions we recognise that there will still be some residual emissions by 2030. With the carbon removals achieved through this project we will balance our emissions and thereby reach Tetra Pak’s commitment to achieving net-zero GHG emissions in its operations by 20307.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme
The Atlantic Forest is one of the wealthiest biomes, but also the second most endangered in the world. Today only 12% of its original area is preserved4. This puts thousands of species at risk of extinction while depriving the region – and the world – of critical carbon-absorbing forestland.
The Araucaria Conservation Programme aims to restore and protect 7,000 hectares of land in this area by 2030. That’s the equivalent of 9,800 football pitches, targeting an area of particular risk that today only has 2 % of its original area protected5. This restoration will secure additional carbon removals from the atmosphere, and it will be quantified in a transparent way using a carbon certification standard called Social Carbon6. While Tetra Pak of course continues to focus on the reduction of our operational emissions we recognise that there will still be some residual emissions by 2030. With the carbon removals achieved through this project we will balance our emissions and thereby reach Tetra Pak’s commitment to achieving net-zero GHG emissions in its operations by 20307.
1564 hectares under restoration
At the end of 2024 this programme has 10 properties undergoing restoration, amounting to a total area of 1 564 hectares. The restoration activities for these 1 564 hectares – an area larger than 2 200 football fields – includes planting of over 250 000 seedlings, removal of cattle, and other actions to support natural forest regeneration. The first years of the programme included the important work for the structuring of the Araucaria Conservation Programme. This preparation work involved partnering with Apremavi and with landowners; as well as defining the carbon certification methodology and the financial compensation model for partner rural owners.
1564 hectares under restoration
At the end of 2024 this programme has 10 properties undergoing restoration, amounting to a total area of 1 564 hectares. The restoration activities for these 1 564 hectares – an area larger than 2 200 football fields – includes planting of over 250 000 seedlings, removal of cattle, and other actions to support natural forest regeneration. The first years of the programme included the important work for the structuring of the Araucaria Conservation Programme. This preparation work involved partnering with Apremavi and with landowners; as well as defining the carbon certification methodology and the financial compensation model for partner rural owners.
2024 progress
In 2024, six new properties were added for restoration, located in Santa Catarina state. These properties have the potential of 1,300 hectares for restoration and can play an essential role in conserving water resources, biodiversity and the possibility of ecological corridors. Baseline studies also commenced for carbon measurement in the project’s pilot areas as well as engagement with the carbon certification standard chosen, Social Carbon.
Image: Visit to the site Sitio Nascentes do Rio Santo Antônio where restoration work was ongoing. From left to right Wigold Schäffer, Vivian Guerreiro, Isabela Silva, Carolina Schäffer.
1 “Nature-based solutions” are actions to protect, conserve, restore, and sustainably use and manage ecosystems in a way that addresses social, economic and environmental challenges while simultaneously benefiting human well-being and biodiversity. Source: https://www.wri.org/insights/what-exactly-are-nature-based-solutions
2 WWF (2024) Living Planet Report 2024 – A System in Peril. WWF, Gland, Switzerland. Source: https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5gc2qerb1v_2024_living_planet_report_a_system_in_peril.pdf
3 Climate Change and Land IPCC Special Report on Climate Change, Desertification, Land Degradation, Sustainable Land Management, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Terrestrial Ecosystems, pp. 37 - 74
4 https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/atlantic-forest
5 https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/atlantic-forest/
6 Social Carbon, https://www.socialcarbon.org/
7 Defined as achieving net-zero GHG emissions in our operations (scopes 1 and 2 and business travel) and 46% GHG reduction across our value chain by 2030 in line with 1.5°C SBTi commitment compared to our 2019 baseline.