A delegation from Fundação Florestal (FF), the organization overseeing protected areas in São Paulo state, will participate in the 28th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP-28). Renowned Brazilian environmentalist Mario Mantovani, FF’s president, and Diego Hernandes Laranja, a wildlife biologist and technical director, will present outcomes from biodiversity and ecosystem-focused conservation programs, along with impactful socio-environmental initiatives in Dubai.
As stewards of protected areas in São Paulo, Fundação Florestal aligns its projects with Sustainable Development Goals, addressing various aspects of sustainable development. These initiatives encompass sustainable rural development, local community engagement, timber and non-timber product production, forest restoration, ecosystem recovery, and biodiversity conservation.
Overseeing marine protected areas, the institution plays a pivotal role in addressing climate change impacts through the sustainable usage of marine resources and spatial planning. This involves a concentrated effort on implementing local fisherman’s Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs and tackling the pervasive issue of marine litter.
Fundação Florestal’s commitment to managing marine protected areas is instrumental in mitigating the environmental effects of climate change. Sustainable resource usage is a cornerstone, emphasizing responsible practices that support local fishermen through innovative PES programs. These initiatives not only ensure the preservation of marine ecosystems but also contribute to the economic well-being of coastal communities.
A critical aspect of this marine conservation effort is the focus on combatting marine litter. As a significant environmental challenge, marine litter poses threats to marine life, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Fundação Florestal’s initiatives address this issue through comprehensive strategies that include awareness campaigns, payment for environmental programs and community engagement to prevent and manage marine litter effectively.
Forest recovery and ecosystem restoration are seamlessly integrated with land use planning and green infrastructure as primary measures to combat the impacts of climate change in Sao Paulo. The necessity for expanding forest cover encompasses ecosystem services that directly counter the effects of rising temperatures. Scaling up restoration involves collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, providing land and forest owners with opportunities to restore while simultaneously enhancing rural production.
By incorporating these concepts into its approach, Fundação Florestal’s management of marine protected areas extends beyond resource sustainability. It encompasses a holistic strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental health, community livelihoods, and the overall resilience of coastal ecosystems in the face of climate change impacts.
Linking COP-28’s main targets with the outcomes of the Paris Agreement, protected areas play a crucial role in mitigating climate change impacts. They serve as carbon sinks, contributing to global efforts in carbon storage and emission reduction. This underlines the significance of protected areas in the global stocktake, providing vital data for assessing progress toward climate goals.
Moreover, conservation units are integral to Brazil’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). They serve as valuable assets in achieving environmental targets, offering opportunities for a just transition within local communities and preserving cultural heritage. This dual focus on conservation and socio-economic development highlights the multifaceted role of protected areas in the face of climate change.
Our main projects are able for sponsoring and all kinds of partnership. And we will be great to present those initiatives at COP28 UAE.
