BNDES Approves US$ ~56 Million (R$ 300 Million) for BTG Pactual TIG Reforestation Strategy

SÃO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has approved an investment of up to US$ ~56 million (R$ 300 million) to support reforestation and restoration projects in degraded areas in Brazil through the reforestation strategy managed by the BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (BTG Pactual TIG).

The strategy seeks to mobilize US$ 1 billion to protect, restore, and reforest approximately 270,000 hectares of degraded areas. In addition to environmental restoration, the initiative aims to generate carbon credits through nature-based solutions, contribute to the generation of jobs and income in surrounding landscapes, and generate positive impacts on biodiversity. Conservation International serves as impact adviser to the BTG Pactual TIG reforestation strategy, supporting efforts to achieve positive impacts on climate, people and nature.

“BNDES has been working on several fronts to support environmental and climate projects, contributing to the ecological transition, decarbonization, and environmental conservation. This investment reflects the Bank's role as an agent for a just transition," says BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante, who highlights the importance of the union between the public and private sectors in efforts to restore the Cerrado and other critical biomes. “Partnerships like this demonstrate how public resources can catalyze sustainable projects with private sector participation, benefiting both people and nature, with respect for environmental standards and the quality of public spending.”

The announcement adds to the decarbonization commitments presented by BNDES at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, which marked a decisive moment for forest conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable land management.

“BNDES's support is an important milestone for our reforestation strategy and a powerful example of how public-private collaboration can catalyze institutional investment at large scales,” said Roberto Sallouti, CEO of BTG Pactual “This investment signals strong alignment with a vision of Brazil’s emerging bioeconomy, and of the potential for private investment to deliver benefits for people and nature alongside economic returns.”

The strategy aims to protect and restore approximately 135,000 hectares of native forests and savannas, in addition to planting millions of trees across another 135,000 hectares of FSC-certified, sustainably managed commercial tree farms. To date, restoration is already underway across more than 12,000 hectares of native and biodiverse Cerrado vegetation. This initiative is expected to create more than 40,000 hectares of connected habitat for local biodiversity—an area equivalent to approximately one-third of the size of the city of Rio de Janeiro. More than 500 species of flora and fauna have already been identified across all properties covered by the strategy.

“This partnership demonstrates what is possible when finance and conservation work together to address global challenges,” said Daniela Raik, Interim CEO at Conservation International . “By mobilizing investments for the restoration of Brazilian forests, this initiative generates measurable benefits for the climate and biodiversity, supports local communities, and is a scalable example of how nature-based solutions can support people and planet in Brazil and beyond.”