People, climate, and nature go hand in hand: reflections from COP30
Reflecting on COP30, the path forward demands a multidimensional and multigenerational approach: one that addresses both climate mitigation and nature conservation at the heart of stakeholder engagement. Our work with Veracel continues to be shaped by these learnings, guided by long-term impact and due diligence as the basis. Our commitment to positive change continues with recent partnerships, such as those with Biomas and the IUCN. With these partnerships, we look ahead – ready to turn ambition into action and create lasting value for people and the planet.
People and resilient communities
A resilient community can adapt to disruptions and the effects of climate change, whether from changing rainfall impacting crops and infrastructure or policy shifts that redirect investments. Building this resilience requires local empowerment, strong social bonds, stable economies, and the ability to adapt together - helping communities strengthen skills and remain flexible as conditions change.
As a company operating in the land-based industry, Veracel has a significant physical presence in the regions where it operates, impacting the surroundings of many communities. Supporting local communities in building resilience is therefore a key part of its approach to support the socio-economic development of the region.
Working with communities to strengthen livelihoods
Veracel has a long-standing commitment to working with communities to promote employment, income, and livelihoods. Strengthened by stakeholder feedback from COP30, the Veracel team continues their work through programmes such as family farming and supporting local fishermen and fisherwomen—combining technical knowledge transfer with improved market access.
These structured programmes include initiatives around honey production, food for schools, and seafood for local restaurants, helping to connect producers to nearby markets, supplement incomes, and strengthen local supply chains.
Strengthening our understanding of community impacts and needs
In late 2025, Veracel commissioned a third-party human rights impact assessment, with a particular focus on community impacts and improving due diligence processes. The assessment covered over 255 interviews with community members, indigenous and traditional communities, to better understand needs, concerns and expectations.
Biodiversity and climate
Tree plantation companies play an active role in restoring and conserving the Atlantic Rainforest, a global biodiversity hotspot. Over the past three decades, Veracel has restored more than 8,000 hectares of degraded rainforest, contributing to long-term ecosystem recovery. Veracel is part of the Pacto Mata Atlântica — a coalition of over 340 organisations — which has already supported the restoration of more than 840,000 hectares since 2009 and aims to restore 15 million hectares by 2050.
Scaling restoration through partnerships
Scaling restoration requires significant financial resources, and new partnerships are helping unlock funding and broaden value chain participation to increase impact. One example is the Muçununga Project, launched in 2025 in partnership with Veracel and restoration organisation Biomas, which introduces a new financing and collaboration model for large-scale restoration.
The initiative will restore 1,200 hectares using more than 70 native species, supported by a USD 9.3 million investment. It is expected to generate high-integrity carbon credits over a 40-year period, using carbon finance as a mechanism to help fund ecological restoration.
From restoration to resilient ecosystems
Forest restoration goes beyond tree planting. It involves rebuilding ecosystems, strengthening landscape connectivity, and engaging people. Veracel’s work with partners, including Biomas and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reflects this broader approach—aiming not only to deliver environmental value, but also to support resilient landscapes for the future, including for indigenous and local communities.
Together with Biomas, Veracel is helping increase forest carbon storage and strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change. To build scientific evidence of the positive biodiversity impacts of restoration and conservation activities, Veracel has also launched a two-year collaboration with IUCN. This partnership is designed to advance the development of a robust, practical metric that could be applied beyond a single company or region.
Reflecting on COP30, our direction remains consistent: continuing to integrate climate, nature and community perspectives into our work. Together with Veracel and our partners, we build on these learnings aiming to deliver meaningful impact for communities, ecosystems and the climate over time.
