Biomethane Reduces Pollutant Emissions by up to 84%
Brazil
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation launches a model that accurately predicts methane emissions in irrigated rice fields, representing an advance in monitoring GHG emissions in agriculture. The DNDC (DeNitrification-DeComposition) model integrates information on the cultivar, soil, climate and management practices. (Embrapa)
The 3rd Agricultural Bio-inputs Forum is scheduled for August 18th in São Paulo. The event takes place amidst the expansion of the biologicals market in Brazil, which already covers 194 million hectares of treated area and has generated US$ 1.22 billion in revenue. (ABAG)
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has directed the State of Mato Grosso do Sul Sanitation Company – Sanesul to provide detailed information regarding water quality in Dourados following the identification of inconsistencies in the March and April bills; while the description of the water source noted agricultural activities in the Dourados River basin capable of causing contamination, the same document stated there were no evident contamination risks. To comply with sanitation transparency requirements, Sanesul must include test results for basic water-quality parameters in customers’ monthly water bills. (MPF)
ESG policies in Brazil show a sharp decline, with 21% of initiatives cancelled, 35% temporarily suspended and a projected 26% drop over the next 12 months. This scenario could jeopardize progress in management, innovation and competitiveness, particularly as international market demands increasingly focus on sustainability and management practices. (ABRIQ)
Biomethane reduces pollutant emissions by up to 84% in the transport fleet serving ICC Animal Nutrition’s sugar-ethanol plants, an initiative carried out in partnership with the LOTS Group. The project aims to transport over 12 thousand tonnes of yeast and contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, lowering CO2e levels from 223.58 tonnes to 36.02 tonnes, while also achieving a 99% reduction in CO, NOx and SO2 emissions. (ICC; LOTS)
National Energy Policy Council approved an increase of the mandatory mixture of anhydrous ethanol in gasoline to 32% (E32), foreseeing that Brazil will stop importing 800 million L of gasoline per year. The measure means the expansion of renewable sources and strengthening Brazilian energy sovereignty. (CNPE)
The Senate has approved a bill converting part of the Jamanxim National Forest in the state of Pará into an Environmental Protection Area, thereby allowing for land tenure regularization as well as agricultural, livestock and mining activities. The area, initially spanning 1.3 million hectares, is reduced to 814 thousand hectares (-37.39%). (ICMBio)
The Environmental Council (Consema-RS) of the State of Rio Grande do Sul has determined that surface irrigation activities no longer require environmental licensing, becoming subject only to the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) and water use authorization. (Consema-RS)
The Federal Court has ordered the Water and Soil Institute to conduct an environmental impact study on the State of Paraná coast to evaluate the installation of “super-poles” in the city of Matinhos, aiming to assess risks to the coastal ecosystem. (MPF; IAT)
Melchior River is being included in a native vegetation restoration project, with a projected investment of US$ 1.57 million and targets to restore 100 hectares of degraded land and plant 200 thousand seedlings of native species from the Cerrado Biome. (DODF; CLDF)
Brazil’s National Monetary Council lowers interest rates for sustainable rural projects financed by the constitutional funds for the North, Northeast and Central-West regions. Low-carbon agriculture, environmental conservation, renewable energy, innovation and storage projects will receive the lowest rates, starting at 7.52% per year. The conditions apply from July 15th, 2026, to June 30th, 2027. (CMN)
Latin America
IUCN launched a regional platform to accelerate forest landscape restoration in South America. Initially focused on Brazil, Colombia and Peru, the initiative will connect governments, scientists, companies, communities and environmental organizations to share data, tools and conservation experience. (IUCN; WWF; WRI)
Following the fires in Patagonia, in Argentina, researchers from the Esquel Center for Research on Patagonian Mountain and Steppe Environments are investigating the impacts of fires on the rivers and riverine ecosystems in the region. In the initial stages of the study, phosphorus levels 17 times higher than baseline values were identified, alongside persistently high levels of nitrogen compounds. (CIEMEP)
Ministry of Agriculture of Chile officially launches the GEF project, scheduled to last until 2030, “Scaling up regenerative practices for the recovery and improvement of soils, biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in the Chilean agricultural sector”. With an investment of US$ 39 million from the public and private sectors, covering 26,509 hectares across pilot farms dedicated to olive growing, viticulture, fruit growing, cereal and vegetable production, as well as dairy, beef and sheep farming. (Minagri; FAO)
Ministry of Agriculture of Chile has activated continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas within the agricultural and forestry sectors in response to the advance of El Niño in the country. In collaboration with the Agricultural Risk Management Unit, a Disaster Risk Management Protocol for the El Niño phenomenon has been established, aiming to strengthen infrastructure and drainage systems to mitigate the phenomenon’s impact on crops. (Minagri)
Nineteen hydrographic zones in Colombia are on high alert, with large areas in the Orinoquia region under flood warnings, Casanare facing landslide risks, and the Tolima and Cundinamarca regions under wildfire alerts. Some of these extreme precipitation events are attributed to El Niño. Between the municipalities of Cumbitara and Andes, the fire has been burning for six days and has consumed 400 hectares of vegetated land, overwhelming the containment capabilities available to local authorities. (Ideam)
The Ministry of the Environment of Mexico is looking for a strategy to prevent illegal fishing and protect the marine natural heritage of Revillagigedo National Park, off the Mexican coast. The proposed coordinated action aims to prevent threats and enhance biodiversity security in the country’s coastal areas. (Semarnat; Conanp)
Mexico launches an initiative to transform its climate targets into bankable projects and attract private investment. Climate Promise Forward, led by the ministries of Environment and Finance, UNDP and KPMG, will structure investment opportunities aligned with the country’s NDC 3.0. The government estimates that electric mobility and solar water-heating strategies will require approximately US$ 778 billion in financing, equivalent to US$ 97.2 billion annually. (Semarnat; SHCP; UNDP)
The Ministry of Agriculture of Paraguay has established a technical committee to plan strategies for mitigating damage caused by El Niño. The team will continuously monitor weather phenomena that could lead to crop losses, define the agro-climatic characteristics of each department, develop technical guidelines for farmers, and seek more accurate assessments for future rural credit approvals. (MAG)
Peru expands deforestation-free cocoa value chains in the Amazon Biome through agroforestry systems expected to benefit more than 14 thousand farming families. A public investment project operates in 51 communities and contributes to the conservation of over 432 thousand hectares of forest, while sustainable businesses have accessed approximately US$ 4.98 million in financing. (Minam)
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