Brazil Advances Low-Carbon Wheat Certification Program
Brazil
The wheat supply chain in Brazil is moving toward decarbonization with the advancement of the Low Carbon Wheat Program, coordinated by Embrapa Wheat. The initiative creates a certification protocol for farmers who adopt practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the development of a label to add value to production. (Embrapa)
A decree was published establishing a minimum target for the use of residual oils and fats in the production of biodiesel, SAF and renewable diesel. The measure is part of the Fuel of the Future Law and the target is set at 1% of renewable feedstocks, with a voluntary phase between 2026 and 2027 and mandatory implementation starting in 2028. (MMA; MME)
Ibama carried out an operation between the States of Amapá and Pará to combat illegal mining in the Amazon Biome. The action destroyed more than US$ 1.2 million worth of equipment in six days and is already the fifth operation this year in the region. The operation is part of a strategy to suppress environmental crime and involves federal and state forces in an area of high ecological importance. (Ibama)
The Federal University of Pará launched an unprecedented guide mapping 141 invasive alien species in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. The publication compiles information on the origin, introduction pathways, habitats, impacts and identification characteristics of these species, which can cause environmental, economic and social damage. The material aims to support environmental managers, researchers, educators and decision makers. Available at: https://inct-sinbiam.org/ (UFPA; INCT SinBiAm)
The Forestry Foundation launched the Monitora Bio SP platform to guide private investment in conservation and align environmental projects with the ESG agenda. The tool compiles more than 30 thousand biodiversity records and identifies approximately 20 thousand hectares with restoration potential, using geospatial data to support environmental decision-making and the monitoring of protected areas in the state. (Agência SP)
The Federal Government announced an investment of more than US$ 40 million in actions to combat organized crime in the Legal Amazon and border regions. The “Safe Territory, Sovereign Amazon” program will include integrated operations against drug trafficking, illegal mining, environmental crimes and armed violence across 42 municipalities in six states, alongside social prevention measures and incentives for sustainable economic activities. (Federal Government)
The State of Mato Grosso Soybean and Corn Farmers Association has intensified wildfire prevention and firefighting efforts alongside farmers in the State of Mato Grosso during the dry season. Farmers have been investing in brigades, water trucks, firebreaks, monitoring systems and coordinated action between neighboring properties to prevent environmental and economic losses, while the association expands training and technical guidance on fire prevention. (Aprosoja MT)
Committees in the Brazilian Lower House of Congress are holding a public hearing to discuss the proposal for a national list of priority invasive exotic species. The debate will address potential economic, environmental and regulatory impacts of including species such as tilapia, pine, eucalyptus and mango trees on the list, with possible effects on sectors including aquaculture, forestry and fruit production. (Brazilian Lower House of Congress)
Research by Embrapa assessed the environmental impact of whey protein production in Brazil’s dairy chain. Using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, the research found that approximately 85% of greenhouse gas emissions associated with powdered whey occur at the farm level, reinforcing the importance of more sustainable practices in primary milk production. (Embrapa; UTFPR)
Omnia, the data center platform of Pátria Investimentos and renewable energy company Casa dos Ventos signed an agreement worth about US$ 2 billion to supply energy to the ByteDance data center, controlled by TikTok, under construction at the Port of Pecém in the State of Ceará. The project, which will have an initial IT capacity of 200 MW, is expected to begin operations in 2027 and is part of a broader US$ 39.7 billion initiative aimed at transforming the complex into a global data center hub. (Omnia; Casa dos Ventos)
Brazilian sugar and ethanol trader Copersucar announced plans to operate a logistics fleet fully powered by biomethane in the coming years. The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions in fuel transportation and expand the use of renewable energy across the company’s logistics chain, which is already testing trucks fueled by renewable gas produced from sugarcane waste. (Copersucar)
Brazil’s Ministry of Finance presented a proposal to include 17 sectors in the country’s regulated carbon market between 2027 and 2031. The first phase will require emissions reporting from sectors such as pulp and paper, iron and steel, cement, aluminum, oil and gas and aviation, while later phases are expected to cover mining, the power sector, chemicals, food and beverages and road, rail and maritime transport. (Brazil’s Ministry of Finance)
Neoenergia completed the first phase of the Noronha Verde project, an initiative aimed at decarbonizing the energy matrix of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, with the installation of 4,800 solar panels and the start of energy injection tests into the island’s power grid. Developed in partnership with the federal government and the government of the State of Pernambuco, the project foresees investments of approximately US$ 69.4 million and a final capacity of 22 MWp by the end of 2026, reducing the archipelago’s dependence on biodiesel for electricity generation. (Neoenergia)
Latin America
Research by INCAE Business School identified structural bottlenecks hindering the growth of investments aimed at generating both financial returns and positive social and environmental impacts in Central America. According to the report, active intermediaries already manage approximately US$ 420 million in sectors such as sustainable agriculture, climate and conservation and water and sanitation, but regulatory barriers, limited institutional coordination and financing gaps continue to restrict the expansion of this market in the region. (INCAE Business School)
AFP Capital, from Chile, said that more than 98% of the assets under its management already incorporate environmental, social and governance criteria into investment decisions. In 2025, investments in sustainability-linked assets — such as green bonds, renewable energy projects and companies associated with the energy transition — grew 42.3%, reaching US$4.4 billion. (AFP Capital)
One third of dairy farms certified under the Chile Origin Conscious program already use renewable energy in Chile, mainly photovoltaic solar systems. Adoption is increasing amid rising energy costs, which are squeezing margins across the entire dairy chain for both farmers and processors. The sector highlights that on-farm energy generation helps improve efficiency and could become a competitive advantage for exporting higher value-added dairy products. (Fedeleche)
Costa Rica signed international loans worth US$ 200 million aimed at developing the agricultural sector following unanimous approval by the new Congress. The funds will be allocated to climate-resilient reconstruction projects and to strengthening sustainable agriculture in the country, with a focus on adaptation and modernization of the sector. (Government of Costa Rica)
The Ministry of Environment of Panama signed an agreement with the KBA Partnership and the Amphibian Survival Alliance to update the country’s network of Key Biodiversity Areas. The initiative aims to identify and map essential conservation sites, in line with the goal of protecting 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. The process builds on the legacy of Important Bird Areas, which already cover about 29% of Panama’s territory. (Ministry of Environment of Panama; KBA; ASA)
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