Between September 30 and October 4, the Caparaó region in Espírito Santo hosted the 4th Meeting of Regional Units of the Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest, a national movement that mobilizes various stakeholders to conserve and restore the biome. Copaíba, a regional unit in São Paulo, was present at the event, which brought together 13 regional units and more than 20 representatives from different institutions committed to the Atlantic Forest restoration chain.

The meeting took place in the city of Alegre/ES and was attended by MV Gestão Integrada, a unit that has stood out and has accumulated vast experience in implementing Payments for Environmental Services (PES) projects, and is currently the main consultancy for the Reflorestar Program in Espírito Santo. The program included technical meetings and field visits, where participants were able to experience restoration practices on local rural properties, in addition to learning more about sustainable land management. One of the main attractions of the meeting was coffee, since Caparaó is known as one of the main regions producing specialty and award-winning coffees in Brazil.

Payments for Environmental Services: A Sustainable Solution

During the meeting, the representatives also learned about the Reflorestar program, a Payment for Environmental Services (PSA) initiative in Espírito Santo that has become a benchmark in the country. The PSA is an innovative tool that pays rural landowners for the conservation and restoration of natural areas, recognizing the benefits that these practices bring to society, such as improving water quality, capturing carbon and protecting biodiversity.

Implementing the PSA in states and municipalities is essential to encourage rural landowners to adopt environmental restoration and conservation practices. In addition to generating income for small producers, the program promotes ecological balance, combats desertification, and mitigates the effects of climate change. The model adopted by Espírito Santo has been highlighted as exemplary, and its expansion to other regions of the country could accelerate efforts to restore the Atlantic Forest.

The Importance of the Meeting and the Global Goals

The 4th Meeting of Regional Units of the Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest was a crucial moment for building connections between the various agents in the restoration chain. NGOs, associations, private institutions and landowners discussed solutions to accelerate the biome's recovery process, in addition to exchanging technical and practical knowledge, combined with inspiration from local realities and how to further integrate local efforts with global commitments.

International agreements, such as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, establish ambitious goals for the recovery of degraded areas by 2030. In this context, the Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest is an important ally, with a commitment to restore 15 million hectares by 2050. To achieve this goal, meetings such as the one in Caparaó are essential, as they strengthen cooperation between the various actors involved and ensure that actions in the field are aligned with global sustainability and environmental conservation guidelines.

Restoring the Atlantic Forest is not only an environmental necessity, but also an opportunity to promote sustainable economic development while ensuring quality of life. And, just like the Caparaó coffee, which grows, flourishes and bears fruit in restored soils, the collective actions of those involved in the Pact aim to transform the future of the Atlantic Forest into an example of recovery and resilience.