Second-Crop Canola Could Cut Sustainable Aviation Fuel Emissions by up to 55%
Brazil
The Environment Committee of the Brazilian Lower House of Congress approved a bill that provides payments to farmers, traditional communities and other beneficiaries for actions to prevent and combat fires on their properties, under the Payment for Environmental Services Program. The proposal also expands priority groups and will still be reviewed by other committees before proceeding to the Senate. (Agência Câmara)
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Goiás filed civil lawsuits to hold a sugar-ethanol plant accountable for environmental damage caused by vinasse spills in the Ipiranga de Goiás region, with compensation claims totaling approximately US$ 28 million. The actions include requirements for environmental restoration, vegetation recovery, water monitoring and preventive measures to avoid new incidents. (MPGO)
Energisa, a Brazilian company that operates in power generation, transmission and distribution, inaugurated a nursery for native seedlings in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, with the capacity to produce more than 30 thousand native seedlings aimed at planned urban afforestation and the development of urban forests compatible with the power grid. The initiative also includes seedling donations, support for municipalities and environmental compensation actions, with a focus on sustainability and reducing conflicts with urban infrastructure. (Energisa)
Embrapa reported that using second-crop canola to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could reduce emissions by up to 55% compared to fossil jet fuel. The study highlights this potential depends on technological and regulatory advances, as well as the use of renewable hydrogen, which could significantly increase emission reductions. (Embrapa Environment)
São Paulo State Government established new rules for controlled burning in rural areas, setting stricter criteria for authorization and clarifying responsibilities between environmental and agricultural agencies. The measure aims to strengthen environmental oversight, provide legal certainty for farmers and regulate the use of fire in agricultural activities, with implementation within 90 days. (Semil-SP)
Brazilian Development Bank released the first installment of US$ 8 million for the Climate Fund to the Tree Agroflorestal company to invest in the restoration of 15 thousand hectares of the Atlantic Forest in the northern region of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The project includes the recovery of degraded areas, generation of carbon credits and job creation, with a focus on bioeconomy and climate resilience. (BNDES)
Solar energy has surpassed US$ 60 billion in investments in Brazil. The sector has generated more than 2 million jobs, nearly US$ 19,2 billion in taxes and 68.8 GW of installed capacity, but faces bottlenecks such as reverse power flow in distributed generation and curtailment in large-scale plants. For 2026, the association expects 10.6 GW of new capacity, below the 11.4 GW added in 2025. (Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association)
Brazil lost 1.6 million hectares of tree cover in humid tropical forests in 2025, down 42% from 2024, according to data from Global Forest Watch, by the World Resources Institute. Brazil’s reduction helped drive a 35% global decrease in tropical forest loss, which totaled 4.3 million hectares during the year. The States of Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Acre and Roraima recorded the largest reductions, while Maranhão saw an increase. (World Resources Institute)
The Brazilian Mining Institute presented the mining sector’s 2024 ESG results on April 23rd in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, and launched the new MineraDados data collection cycle, using 2025 as the base year. The platform gathers environmental, social and governance information from member companies in aggregated form, without individual disclosure, to increase transparency, support indicator management and inform decision-making and public policies for the mining sector. (Brazilian Mining Institute)
Survey by the platform Infojobs shows more than 5,000 “green job” openings in Brazil, driven by a demand for professionals linked to the ESG agenda. Most opportunities are in socio-environmental responsibility, with 3,946 openings; environmental roles, with 921; environmental engineering, with 272; and ESG, with 65. Companies such as Coca-Cola FEMSA, Aura Minerals, Tenda, JSL, NEC Energia, Ascenty and Cobrape are among those hiring analysts, engineers, coordinators, communicators and managers for sustainability-related areas. (Infojobs)
Experiment performed by Embrapa in Santo Antônio de Goiás, State of Goiás, showed an agroforestry system in the Cerrado Biome doubled soil carbon stocks over six years, with an average accumulation of 2.24 tonnes/ha/year. The model, implemented in a 1-hectare area, combined native trees, green manure and common bean under no-till, maintaining yields above 1 tonne per hectare and contributing to soil fertility, biodiversity and climate mitigation. (Embrapa)
Study performed by the Brazilian Agribusiness Association shows practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation and the use of cover crops are already widely adopted in the Brazilian countryside. However, more than half of farmers are yet unfamiliar with the concept of regenerative agriculture. The study identifies lack of technical knowledge, absence of a structured market and uncertain financial returns as the main barriers. (Abag)
The Recycling Incentive Law has already mobilized approximately US$ 600 million in investments in Brazil. The resources, derived from income tax deductions, have been allocated to modernizing cooperatives, training waste pickers and expanding recycling facilities. The Government highlights the impact on the circular economy and social development, although sector representatives point to the need for more investment and permanent policies. (Agência Câmara)
The program “Pactos pelo Piauí” [Pacts for the State of Piauí] has achieved significant environmental results in the State of Piauí, northeastern Brazil, with 100% of municipalities joining the Ecological ICMS [State-tax on product circulation]. The initiative has already met approximately 75% of its targets, including actions such as reforestation, wildfire prevention and support for climate plans. The government highlights cooperation between the State and municipalities as a key factor behind these advances. (Government of Piauí)
Project performed by the Federal University of Santa Catarina State assessed the impacts of forest suppression on native species in the State. The study identified high genetic diversity in species such as araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia) and imbuia (Ocotea porosa), but warned of population losses with vegetation removal. Researchers indicate that suppression may be viable if accompanied by compensatory measures, such as reforestation and conservation. The findings help balance industrial expansion and environmental protection. (UFSC)
Embrapa announced a partnership with the Canadian company Soil Sky Alliance to implement a free planting project aimed at generating carbon credits in agricultural areas in the State of São Paulo. The program will provide seven planting machines at no cost to farmers, benefiting around 40 to 50 producers and covering approximately 1,400 hectares. In return, farmers will be able to generate carbon credits for the international market, with potential buyers including major companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Shell. The pilot project will begin in the 2026/27 harvest season and will also be tested at the AgNest experimental farm in Jaguariúna, where Embrapa evaluates new agricultural technologies in partnership with the private sector. (Embrapa; Soil Sky Alliance)
Latin America
Chile inaugurated the Center for Research on Soils and Ecosystem Functions, the first national-level center dedicated to study soils and their role in ecosystems. Led by the Universidad Austral de Chile, the project aims to generate knowledge to support public policies and address challenges such as climate change and food security. The initiative brings together more than 30 researchers and is funded by the government for five years. (Universidad Austral de Chile)
Research led by the Universidad Católica del Maule in Chile is developing nanocomposites to improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce environmental impacts in agriculture. The technology enables the controlled release of nutrients and reuses agro-industrial waste, contributing to the circular economy. The project also strengthens international collaboration and seeks solutions to challenges such as climate change and agricultural productivity. (Universidad Católica del Maule)
In Colombia, the SURA Group entered into a US$ 182 million partnership with Bancolombia linked to performance in environmental, social and governance targets. The operation includes commitments such as reducing carbon emissions, expanding sustainable investments and maintaining trust indicators with stakeholders. The model integrates financial performance and sustainability, with verifiable targets aligned with international standards. (Grupo SURA)
The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels took place from April 24th to 29th in Santa Marta, Colombia, bringing together governments, scientists, civil society and the private sector to discuss reducing dependence on oil, gas and coal. In Brazil, data from the Institute for Socioeconomic Studies show that fossil fuel subsidies fell 42% in 2024, to US$ 9.4 billion, but still exceeded incentives for renewables: US$ 2.52 for fossil fuels for every US$ 1 directed to clean sources. (Institute for Socioeconomic Studies)
The Lower House of Congress of Mexico approved a reform creating a labor certificate for agricultural exports, aimed at verifying compliance with labor and social security obligations by exporting companies. The bill, approved by 396 votes and sent to the Executive Branch, allows the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to issue certifications and provides for trade regulation measures in cases involving deforestation or illegal land-use change in forest areas. Mexico’s avocado industry is expected to be the first to adopt the new instrument. (APEAM)
The Association of Avocado Exporters, Farmers and Packers of Mexico will deliver 80 thousand pine and cedar seedlings in Jalisco in 2026 under its Forest Conservation Program. Since 2023, the association says it has produced and delivered 230 thousand forest plants in the State, benefiting farmers, communities, ecological reserves and municipalities across 15 avocado-producing towns authorized to export to the USA. (APEAM)
Research by the Ibero-American University indicates that climate change could increase mortality in Mexico by up to 15% following extreme weather events such as cyclones and floods. Health impacts may last for up to two months, with increases in respiratory, mental and viral diseases. The effects vary depending on social conditions and disproportionately affect more vulnerable populations. (Ibero-American University)
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