Carbon avoidance

Conserving the Amazon in Brazil

Conserving the Amazon in Brazil
Conserving the Amazon in Brazil
Conserving the Amazon in Brazil
Conserving the Amazon in Brazil
Conserving the Amazon in Brazil

Background

As the largest tropical forest globally, the Brazilian Amazon Forest plays a crucial role as a primary carbon sink, contributing significantly to our fight against climate change. Beyond its environmental impact, it serves as a vital refuge for approximately 10% of the world’s biodiversity and provides sustenance and shelter for numerous traditional communities.

Unfortunately, deforestation, forest degradation, and shifts in land use, particularly in agriculture, have collectively contributed to 23% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions worldwide between 2007 and 2016. Within Brazil, these activities accounted for a staggering 63% of national emissions in 2015. Although there was a decline in the Brazilian deforestation rate from 2004 to 2012, recent years have witnessed a concerning resurgence in these figures. Hence, there is an immediate and pressing need to explore alternative socioeconomic development approaches that prioritise the value of these standing forests.

The Project

The Manoa project is a partnership between Biofílica Ambipar Environment Investments S.A. and Manoa Sustentável, Exploração e Serviços Florestais Ltda, located at Fazenda Manoa, in the municipality of Cujubim, state of Rondônia, which covers an area of 74,038.748 hectares. The municipality is where most of the project's social activities are carried out and, therefore, where most of the stakeholders that will be impacted are located, and the project area.

Objectives

The main objective of REDD+ Manoa project activity is to promote the reduction of deforestation and consequently the reduction of GHGs.

Forest protection and monitoring: remote monitoring and local surveillance, along with the best sustainable forest management practices.

Scientific research: monitoring of forest management impacts, follow-up and study of identified and/or endemic species, partnerships with educational and research institutions for the production and dissemination of knowledge.

Local economic development: through its own training center the project provides training and capacity building in technical forest management to the regional population.

Social empowerment: environmental education for the population from regional communities and from the city of Cujubim, aiming at the future of environmental conservation and the consequent improvement in the quality of life of these people.

Locations

Cujubim, Rondônia, Brazil

Timeline

Follow the latest milestones and updates from this project.

Sep 2026
Manoa Daycare Centre

Manoa Daycare Centre

This May, Cujubim celebrated the opening of a new Manoa Daycare Centre, serving approximately 370 children and offering a modern, welcoming space where they can learn, play, and grow with quality and comfort.

Company director, Murilo Granemann, highlighted the company's commitment to the municipality and emphasised the importance of investing in education.

“We arrived here in Cujubim in 1996 and have always sought to invest more and more in the municipality to contribute to its growth. The daycare centre is much more than a construction project; it's a legacy for the future. These children will grow up, graduate, and help build the future of Cujubim, and we are very happy to be able to contribute,” he stated.

The daycare centre represents a major step forward for education in Cujubim and a strong example of what's possible when the private and public sectors work together to expand investments in education, promote quality of life, and strengthen social development in Cujubim.

Jul 2026

Verra Project Review

  • Achieved final Verra approval on Jul 03, 2026 for CCB Validation, CCB Verification, and VCS Verification for the 2023–2024 monitoring period
May 2026

Project Description Revisions

  • Updated VCS Project Description (V7) on May 21, 2026, incorporating revised stakeholder engagement and implementation schedules
Dec 2025

Impact Report

The Manoa Impact report was recently launched, outlining the project activities for the first half of the year.

Some key highlights:

  • In 2025, 50 people were employed (25 permanent and 25 temporary), all formally registered.
  • From January 1st to September 30th 2024, the project avoided approximately 2 million tCO2e.
  • More than 450 species have been recorded within the project area, 20 of which are listed under some level of threat according to the IUCN.
Dec 2025

Manoa’s Forest Education Centre

On June 17, 2025, CEFLOM, Manoa’s Forest Education Centre, welcomed students from Antonio Francisco Lisboa State School for a day of educational activities and lectures. Topics included reduced-impact logging, sustainable forest management, and the Manoa REDD+ project. The sessions were led by a forestry engineer and two biologists, aiming to inspire students and foster interest in forest conservation.

Nov 2025
Ecologi team visit Manoa!

Ecologi team visit Manoa!

Manoa is a haven in the middle of a rapidly disappearing rainforest.

The team visited the site and carried out a field assessment checklist to validate our desk-based project assessment. They came away with a lot of technical learnings, particularly regarding the project’s leakage and its additionality.

Especially impressive at Manoa is the social impact - including funding APAE, a centre for children with special educational needs, and the building of a new daycare for >370 kids, opening in Cujubim next year.

Sep 2024

End of CCB & VCS Monitoring Period

  • Concluded the 21-month monitoring period spanning Jan 01, 2023 to Sep 30, 2024
  • Avoided 7,662.95 hectares of deforestation and generated 2,276,210 tCO2e in net emission reductions
Jul 2024

Municipal Infrastructure Improvement Launch

  • Initiated construction of the Manoa Daycare in Cujubim to enhance local education infrastructure
Oct 2023

The 6th Municipal Education Conference

Manoa was invited by the Municipal Department of Education to present its contributions to the municipality on the topic of education committed to social justice, the protection of biodiversity, sustainable socio-environmental development to guarantee quality of life on the planet, and the fight against inequalities and poverty.

Aug 2023

Stakeholder Engagements & Public Comment Period

  • Presented project achievements at the 6th Municipal Education Conference and held stakeholder informational sessions
  • Conducted formal feedback meetings with neighboring landowners regarding fire prevention and sustainable pasture management
  • Held a 30-day public consultation period from Dec 20, 2024 to Jan 19, 2025
Jun 2023

Environmental Education & FAO Re-Evaluation Field Visit

  • Hosted 50 students from EMEF Brandão Vilela and EE Antônio Francisco Lisboa at CEFLOM for environmental education workshops
  • Hosted FAO consultant Dr. César Sabogal for a 3-day field evaluation to document Manoa's long-term commercial viability as a sustainable forestry model
Apr 2023

Worker Orientation & Field Verification Audit

  • Conducted REDD+ educational sessions for 31 Fazenda Manoa employees before audit field activities
  • Delivered week-long occupational health, safety, and first-aid training in partnership with SESI
  • Completed on-site verification audit field inspections covering forest boundaries, High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, and stakeholder interviews
Jan 2023

Monitoring period

This ended 30th September 2024

  • During the monitored period, the project prevented the emission of 3,902,120 tCO2eq and avoided the deforestation of 3.569 hectares.
Jan 2023

Commencement of Second Baseline Period & CCB Lifetime

  • Launched the second 6-year baseline period (Jan 01, 2023 – Dec 31, 2028) with updated deforestation baseline models
  • Revalidated Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards under Gold Level criteria for Climate Change Adaptation and Exceptional Biodiversity
Aug 2016

First Dual VCS & CCB Validation and Initial Verification

  • Achieved dual VCS and CCB validation covering the 2013–2052 project crediting framework (audited by Rainforest Alliance)
  • Successfully verified 541,077 tCO2e in net GHG emission reductions for the first monitoring period (Jan 01, 2013 – Dec 31, 2016)
Mar 2015

Carbon Stock Surveys & Initial Project Documentation

  • Completed forest carbon stock inventory surveys, establishing a baseline density of 532.9 tCO2e/ha
  • Finalised the initial VCS Project Description document for validation review
Jul 2013

Stakeholder Articulation & Technical Baseline Studies: Jul 01, 2013 – Dec 31, 2014

  • Initiated continuous political and community stakeholder engagement programs
  • Inaugurated the Forestry Study Centre (CEFLOM) in Jul 2014 and hosted the 1st REDD+ Workshop
  • Completed comprehensive socioeconomic, biodiversity, and baseline technical field studies across the 72,661-hectare property
Jan 2013

Project Start Date & Crediting Period Commencement

  • Initiated the official 40-year project crediting period running from Jan 01, 2013 to Dec 31, 2052
  • Launched the first 10-year baseline period for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting under the Avoided Unplanned Deforestation (AUD) framework

Benefits

The Fazenda Manoa project is dedicated to mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation. Established in 2013, the project operates under a 30-year crediting period, with a focus on long-term sustainability.

Key contributions include:

  • Preventing deforestation on the property, preserving vast areas of carbon-rich tropical forest.

  • Demonstrating sustainable forest management practices that balance economic viability with conservation.

  • Participating in the "Compromisso com o Clima" (Commitment to Climate) platform of Instituto Ekos Brasil since 2018, ensuring alignment with broader climate goals.

By standing resilient amidst widespread land conversion for cattle ranching and soybean farming, Fazenda Manoa actively combats emissions and serves as a model for carbon-positive land use.

Sustainable development goals

These Sustainable Development Goals show the wider outcomes this project supports beyond its headline impact.

Quality Education

The project promotes environmental education for local communities, raising awareness about sustainable practices and equipping future generations with the knowledge to protect and manage forest resources responsibly.

Clean Water and Sanitation

By preserving the Amazon rainforest, the project helps protect vital watersheds, ensuring clean and sustainable water sources for local communities and ecosystems.

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Fazenda Manoa generates employment through sustainable forest management practices and research initiatives, providing economic opportunities while prioritising ecological sustainability.

Responsible Consumption and Production

The project advocates for sustainable resource use by demonstrating the economic and environmental viability of Low-Impact Forest Management, reducing deforestation and promoting long-term stewardship.

Climate Action

By preventing deforestation and preserving carbon-rich ecosystems, the project contributes to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change

Life on Land

Fazenda Manoa protects over 74,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest, conserving biodiversity, safeguarding endangered species, and maintaining critical habitats for wildlife.

Partnerships for the Goals

Through collaborations with institutions like the Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR) and Instituto Ekos Brasil, the project leverages partnerships to advance research, education, and sustainable development.

Verification

These partners help deliver the project and verify its impact.

Verifier

Verified Carbon Standard

Verified Carbon Standard

The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program is the world's most widely used greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting program.

Verified Carbon Standard and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard

Verified Carbon Standard and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard