Green Farm CO2FREE - Brazil

Green Farm is an environmental conservation services provider designed to utilize specific investments to execute management activities of ecosystem services on behalf of its clients. Green Farm allows clients to meet the demand for social and environmental responsibility in a transparent, innovative and comprehensive manner. Located in the confluence of three distinct biomes of Brazil, Green Farm offers a comprehensive solution for its clients to effectively contribute to the sustainability of ecosystems. Green Farm is within the Buffer Zone of Ilha Grande National Park, which is a Federal Conservation Unit at the Parana River International Biodiversity Corridor.

Fast facts:

This project is the first known private corporate social responsibility provider and it supplies training for some 5,000 physical visitors per year, in addition to the estimated 60,000 people accessing its virtual contents daily.

The problem

This activity identified a gap when looking at sustainable participation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) services.

The solution

The goal of this activity is to create partnerships with companies that want to become more sustainable. Green Farm performs ecosystem services on behalf of these corporations that align with their green marketing actions and are fully transparent on the Internet, so that companies gain brand exposure as they engage in sustainable activities.

Helping the planet

The project reforests with native and introduced species for rehabilitation of degraded areas and to enhance the biodiversity of forest corridors. The project also invests in reducing emissions of deforestation and degradation in natural areas, cooperating with local authorities.

Helping people

Green Farm employs some 30 local workers for planting, maintenance, transport, laboratories and other project tasks. The project distributes nursery plants, fisheries and domestic animals from high breeds to local settlers, supplies training on agroforestry systems and ecosystem services management to local, subnational, national and international students. The project employs a further 10-15 staff members to work with participants, conduct sales and other administrative tasks.

Scaling Up

Green Farm operates with CO2FREE, a local NGO, which is working towards an agreement with Global Conservation Standard to use the project activities as a model for possible activities financed by the local stakeholder’s fund for Conservation Units' buffer zones. The Green Farm model can be applied to the other farms surrounding Ilha Grande National Park and to the properties along Parana River International Biodiversity Corridor, contributing to building its green infrastructure.