In Brazil, an Amazon reforestation project seeks to redeem carbon markets

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🗞️ Driving the news: Brazilian company Mombak is reforesting deforested Amazon land with native tree species, backed by private investors and contracts with firms like Google and Microsoft
• The project, which aims to plant 30 million trees by 2032, seeks to restore biodiversity and credibility to the carbon market
• Mombak prioritizes biodiverse planting rather than monocultures, addressing criticisms of traditional carbon credit schemes

🔭 The context: The global carbon market has faced backlash for overestimating its impact and enabling "greenwashing" 
• Mombak’s project, operating on purchased private land, focuses on replanting a mix of native species to simulate natural ecosystems
• This approach counters common pitfalls of monoculture reforestation, which weakens ecosystems over time

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Reforestation projects like Mombak's are essential for offsetting emissions and restoring degraded Amazon land, vital for global carbon sequestration
• By planting indigenous trees, including endangered species, the initiative strengthens biodiversity while addressing global climate goals

⏭️ What's next: Mombak awaits validation from Verra, a key carbon credit certifier, and plans to expand its operations
• The company is exploring public land reforestation projects while ensuring transparency in land ownership to avoid conflicts with local communities

💬 One quote: “We want to simulate nature, to build a resilient forest,” - Mombak biologist Severino Ribeiro

📈 One stat: Since its founding in 2021, Mombak has planted 3 million trees across 3,000 hectares, aiming to cover an area five times the size of Manhattan by 2032

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