In addition to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, restoration gives recovered areas the capacity to support human society and its economy
The year 2024 was the hottest on global record and 2025 is likely to follow suit, with the world increasingly feeling the effects of climate change. The loss of biodiversity represents a second environmental crisis, which can possibly cause even more damage than the environmental crisis.
Marcelo Pereira, Director of Restoration at Biomas, explains that “when we destroy forests, we aren’t just losing flora and fauna; we are also jeopardizing economic activities and threatening our survival as a species. The loss of natural habitats has direct impacts on the economy and human life.
According to Embrapa, between 70% and 80% of the plants used for food production in Brazil depend on the ecosystem service of pollination performed by animals like bees, birds, and bats. From a financial perspective, The Brazilian Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services estimates that around 55% of the value of Brazilian agricultural production comes from crops dependent on pollinators.
The climate and biodiversity crises feed into and exacerbate one another, impacting well-being and livelihoods around the world. In Brazil, in 2024, the torrential rains in the South and the prolonged drought in the Amazon remind us of the fragility of life on Earth. As awareness of the global climate emergency grows, more scientists, political leaders, social activities, and business people are seeking solutions.
The restoration of ecosystems has emerged as one of the most efficient responses to both the climate and biodiversity crises. In many countries, restoration has proven effective for combating severe desertification. This solution is unique because, in addition to mitigating environmental crises, it restores the ability of rehabilitated areas to support human society and the economy.
Until recently, it was a challenge that restoration was often limited to small-scale philanthropic projects or compliance with legal regulations. However, the rise and expansion of the carbon market have transformed it into a viable business opportunity for the private sector, attracting investments for large-scale projects.
Ecological restoration allows for the rehabilitation of essential ecosystem services, like groundwater recharge and soil fertility.
Water security and soil quality are examples of ecosystem services restored using large scale ecological restoration. When vegetation of a place is removed without any sustainable crop management, the process of soil degradation begins, often marked by increased soil compaction.
Pereira explains that, “this compaction leads to erosion, which causes soil to wash into rivers and provoke sedimentation while reducing water infiltration in the soil. In turn, this decreases groundwater recharge, which is critical for maintaining water sources in a sustainable and perennial manner.” This reduces the availability of water in aquifers and increases the probability of floods. Pereira highlights that “restoration reverses this process, guaranteeing that water infiltrates the soil and reaches the groundwater cleanly and gradually, replenishing aquifers.”
At a national or continental scale, vegetation also contributes to the mitigation of extreme climate events, like heat waves and intense rainfall, which have become much more frequent in recent years. Restored ecosystems regenerate habitats for native species, promoting the return of biodiversity, from large mammals like jaguars and Brazilian tapirs to soil microorganisms and are practically invisible to the naked eye, but play a fundamental role in the balance of that environment.
“The environment of a natural forest is a complex web of interconnections between different organisms and elements within it. The absence or excess of a single species, for example, can jeopardize the survival of another. Soil, plants, animals, water, and climate are all one thing. They are all part of the same ecosystem, and they are all connected and interacting constantly,” explains Pereira.
Barriers hinder large-scale climate restoration in Brazil, including supply chain constraints and land and regulatory issues
The origination of land suitable for carbon projects is still a challenging process in Brazil. Although Brazil has millions of hectares of degraded areas suitable for restoration, the land issue is complex. Many areas lack proper documentation, making secure action impossible.
The supply chain also presents another challenge. In many regions, there are no nurseries to produce native seedlings or specialized labor to collect seeds and carry out restoration implementation and maintenance. Strengthening these supply chains nationwide is essential for making large-scale restoration possible.
Additionally, while the carbon market has advanced the economic viability of restoration, the sector often lacks mechanisms to facilitate access to resources available in the financial system, for example.
The collaboration of companies in the sector can help overcome challenges and position Brazil as a global leader in climate action.
Brazil has the potential to become a global leader in ecological restoration of natural areas, thanks to its ideal conditions: degraded areas, advanced technology, robust scientific knowledge, and a growing carbon credit market.
Overcoming challenges to make this transformation happen will require greater dialogue and collaboration between companies, governments, and investors. Only then can Brazil capitalize on the opportunities available in this market.
In addition to the viability as a business, restoration also brings social results in ecosystem services
Biomas views restoration not as an isolated process, but, rather, a reconstruction of interdependencies. It’s a piece in a larger system in which soil, water, biodiversity, economy, and society must align to restore ecosystems effectively.
“Everything is connected,” says Pereira. “Ignoring the presence of invasive species or adverse environmental factors can jeopardize an entire project. Likewise, failing to involve local communities to generate value and a sense of belonging can lead to degradation. The systemic vision of the environmental interdependencies is what allows for scaled restoration to endure,” he explains.
Restoration projects fail when they disregard environmental factors or the social and economic realities of local communities. A systemic approach is key to making restoration a viable and lasting economic and environmental model.
Ecological restoration will only reach the necessary scale to generate real impacts if treated as a collective, long term project.