Brazil Opens US$ 483 Million Funding Round for Green Fertilizers and Clean Industry
Brazil
Embrapa identified diazotrophic bacteria with potential to partially replace nitrogen fertilization in cotton. In tests, plants inoculated only with the microorganisms developed similarly to those receiving synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. The research may support development of bioinputs and reduce environmental impacts associated with nitrogen fertilization. (Embrapa)
Embrapa developed a new method to calculate nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture, incorporating factors such as climate, soil, agricultural management and fertilizer type. The methodology is intended to improve the accuracy of national emission estimates for the gas, which is closely associated with nitrogen use in agricultural production. (Embrapa)
Suzano, a Brazilian pulp mill and bioinputs company, reported in August it accumulated 43.3 million tonnes of CO₂ and in net carbon removals from 2020 through 2025, equivalent to 108% of the 40 million-tonne target, and achieved ahead of schedule for the goal of reducing emission intensity by 15% by 2030, reaching a 17% reduction. The company also promoted Walner Júnior to Executive Vice President of Legal, Tax and Corporate Affairs. (Suzano)
Ibama published Ordinance No. 163/2026, establishing Administrative Project Approval Procedure – PAAP No. 1 to regulate the direct conversion of environmental fines into environmental preservation, improvement and restoration projects. Projects must be submitted by the fined party through Sispro and may last from 90 days to 10 years, with justified extensions allowed. The procedure includes a preliminary admissibility review and monitoring through documents, reports and field or remote inspections. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Ordinance No. 163/2026 – published on August 17th, 2026, Ibama)
Drought risk and the disagreement over dredging the Tapajós River increased concerns over grain transport through the Northern Arc ahead of the harvest. The National Waterway Transportation Agency reinforced preventive navigation measures in the Amazon in August, while MoveInfra estimates indicate that restrictions on the Tapajós could affect up to 5 million tonnes of grain, generate losses of up to approximately US$ 164 million across the supply chain and add approximately 55 K tonnes of CO₂ emissions if cargo shifts to roads. The corridor is particularly important for soybean and corn produced in the State of Mato Grosso. (ANTAQ; MoveInfra)
The fifth Eco Invest Brasil round is accepting proposals from financial institutions through August 20th to finance innovation in areas including green fertilizers, advanced fuels, critical minerals, batteries, green chemicals, biomaterials and industrial circularity. The Brazilian National Treasury plans to provide up to approximately US$ 483 million in public resources, with private capital mobilization requirements. (National Treasury; Ministry of Finance)
In August, the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change opened a selection process for Restoration Territories focused on native vegetation recovery. The National Development Bank and the ministry are also accepting applications through August 31st for Restaura Rio Doce, which will select up to five partners to carry out ecological and productive restoration across 12.5 K hectares of the basin. (MMA; BNDES)
FS Florestal raised approximately US$ 38.7 million through the company’s first receivables investment fund to finance eucalyptus farmers, the wood from wich will supply biomass to FS corn ethanol plants. The transaction supports the company’s forest outgrower strategy and may be expanded through additional fund issuances. (FS Florestal; Leto Capital; CVM)
Neoenergia Elektro, a Brazilian power distributor, will invest approximately US$ 1.16 million to install 40 solar power systems at public schools in 12 municipalities on the coast of the State of São Paulo. The projects will total 1.3 MWp of capacity and generate an estimated 1.7 GWh/year, potentially reducing electricity consumption at participating schools by up to 75%. (Neoenergia Elektro)
Fenasucro & Agrocana, a Brazilian sugar and ethanol trade fair, concluded the 32nd edition in August, generating approximately US$ 2.71 billion in business. The event hosted the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency under the Brazil Sugarcane Bioenergy Solution project, developed in partnership with the Piracicaba Local Ethanol Production Cluster. (Fenasucro & Agrocana)
Bioinputs sector is waiting for the president’s signature and publication of the decree regulating Law No. 15070/2024 in the coming weeks, nearly 20 months after approval of the new legal framework. The National Association for the Promotion and Innovation of the Biologicals Industry supports swift completion of this stage and preservation of the text developed by the working group coordinated by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. After publication, regulation is expected to advance through ordinances and other secondary rules covering registration, oversight, production, labeling, presentation and commercialization. (ANPII Bio)
Brazilian Federal Police executed eight search and seizure warrants in an investigation of frauds in environmental licensing and the favoring of private interests in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Municipal secretaries in the city of Búzios are among the targets, suspected of facilitating the installation and operation of potentially polluting projects without the required licenses. (Federal Police)
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul created a Regional Environmental Unit in August, based in Bonito, to strengthen work on complex cases involving wildfires, deforestation, land conflicts and other environmental violations. The unit may work on administrative and extrajudicial actions and civil and criminal lawsuits, including cases related to Pantanal conservation. (MPMS)
Fires in vegetation areas in the southern State of Espírito Santo totaled 568 cases from January through July 2026, up 242% from the same period of 2025. The State Institute for Environment and Water Resources and the Fire Department warned of impacts on regional flora and fauna. (Iema; Fire Department)
The Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of Mato Grosso expressed concern following the August 12th Supreme Court ruling on the Soybean Moratorium. Although the organization welcomed the validation of laws in the State of Mato Grosso and the State of Rondônia restricting public incentives for companies participating in the agreement, it criticized the termination of processes before antitrust authority Cade and argues that potential competitive and economic impacts on farmers should still be assessed. (Famato)
Latin America
In August, Misiones, Argentina, advanced implementation of the jurisdictional REDD+ program with an activity focused on the carbon-credit benefit-sharing mechanism. The program covers approximately 1.5 million hectares of Atlantic Forest and has certified approximately 10.9 million carbon credits, with financial and non-financial benefits planned for landowners and communities linked to native forest conservation. (Government of Misiones; Verra)
In Chile, researchers presented in August the mapping of the genome of the Antarctic species Colobanthus quitensis, which may contribute to research on genetic improvement of agricultural crops. The species tolerates extreme temperatures, water scarcity and high levels of ultraviolet radiation, traits of interest for developing crops more resilient to climate change. (CHIC; Genome Biology and Evolution)
Chile granted environmental approval to developer Cóndor Los Lagos’ Andino Suiza wind project, involving US$ 172 million in investment. The facility will be developed in the Ñuble Region with 16 wind turbines and 115.2 MW of capacity, together with infrastructure connecting it to the National Electric System. (Ministry of the Environment)
Chile concluded a project in August evaluating seaweed as a feed additive for dairy cattle to reduce enteric methane emissions. Tests found lower emissions without affecting milk production, milk quality or feed intake; the next step will be to assess commercial viability. (INIA; FIA)
Rainfall reduced the number of municipalities under fire alert in Colombia from 663 on August 14th to 262 on August 18th. In the Department of Tolima, more than 11 K hectares were affected by fire and approximately 17 fires remained active, including one in San Luis under maximum alert. Authorities deployed response teams and National Police aircraft to fight the fires. (Government of Tolima)
Mexico held a national restoration campaign in August targeting the planting of 6.6 million trees and plants across 32.2 K hectares, covering 621 municipalities and 1,632 K agrarian communities in all 32 states. The government plans to turn the initiative into an annual environmental restoration campaign. (Government of Mexico)
In Peru, more than 3 K state-owned and private organizations use the Ministry of the Environment’s Huella de Carbono Perú platform to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions. On August 18th, Minam highlighted the tool as an instrument to improve organizational efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness. (Minam)
Canelones, a department in Uruguay, launched a fund in August to finance ten youth-led environmental projects in 2026–2027, providing up to US$ 4 K per initiative. Projects may cover mobility, renewable energy and other climate actions, with applications open through September 20th. (Government of Canelones)
Uruguay highlighted progress in implementation of Plan Vale in August, a packaging recovery and recycling program expected to mobilize approximately US$ 50 million in private investment in 2026–2027. The Ministry of Environment also said that, beginning October 1st, it will enforce company participation in the new packaging management system. (Ministry of Environment)
The first interuniversity certificate in climate finance in Uruguay will begin on August 29th, aimed at strengthening the capacity of financial, public, productive and academic sectors to mobilize climate capital. The program is part of Finanzas Climáticas Uruguay, which also includes two financial mechanisms and a national classification system to define which activities and investments can be considered green by the financial sector. (UNDP)
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