OGCI and IETA publish findings from ALMA Brasil project

The project aims to strengthen Brazil’s carbon markets for forest protection by improving how privately run forest conservation projects work alongside government climate programs in the Amazon. The aim is to create clear and consistent rules so these efforts fit together smoothly.

The report focuses on the Brazilian State of Pará, which has the highest number of forest conservation projects that generate carbon credits in Brazil’s voluntary carbon market. 

The report offers practical guidance on how to align emissions calculations, social and environmental protections, land ownership checks and long-term forest protection at the project level and the state level.

Based on two years of research and collaboration with governments, standards organizations, project developers, investors and civil society groups, the study shows how better integration – known as “nesting” – can help avoid counting the same emissions reductions twice, improve credibility, and increase transparency for buyers of carbon credits.

The report highlights several priority areas for Pará:

• Consistent emissions accounting so project-level calculations match national and state benchmarks for deforestation-related emissions
• Strong social and environmental safeguards especially for projects on Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ lands, including full participation, free, prior and informed consent, fair sharing of benefits and clear ways to raise complaints
• Clear verification of land ownership, developed with Pará’s land agency ITERPA, to reduce legal and reputational risks
• Long-term protection of climate benefits, by managing risks that could reverse emissions reductions after carbon credits have been issued

Pará is moving forward with a state-wide forest and climate program and has committed to recognizing verified credits from private projects for 2023 as it transitions to more fully integrated systems. 

The ALMA Brasil project helps build trust and shared understanding among public authorities, project developers, standards bodies and investors, supporting credible carbon markets that deliver lasting emissions reductions.

ALMA Brasil also contributes to OGCI’s broader mission to accelerate climate action and support high-integrity carbon markets capable of delivering real, durable emissions reductions.

Read the report here.