Silvania joins Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy in campaign to drive billion-dollar private sector investments into Brazilian rainforest protection
- The ‘Race to Belém’ is a global call to action to dramatically increase investments and support to protect the Brazilian rainforest ahead of COP30
- It brings together key actors to mobilize the much-needed private finance and catalyze new programs that will enable protection of one of the world’s most important ecosystems
- Today, Silvania is announcing a provision of upfront capital to Brazilian states launching their forest protection programs by matching every tonne purchased with a dollar of upfront capital, unlocking up to $100m in new funds to start the Race to Belém.
- The initiative will prioritize investments focused on working with Indigenous peoples, local and traditional communities, farmers, as well as state and federal government to reduce deforestation at scale, including through high-integrity JREDD+ (Jurisdictional Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) programs.
Davos, Switzerland – 06:00 CET 22 January 2025 – Today, Silvania joins with leading environmental nonprofits Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy to start the Race to Belém – an initiative to accelerate forest protection finance for Brazil at a speed and scale never seen before.
Announced at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the campaign will work to mobilize billions of dollars of private sector finance ahead of COP30, taking place this November in Belém, Brazil.
The Race to Belém is the first major campaign by Silvania, a US$500 million nature and biodiversity investment vehicle, backed by Mercuria. Silvania will provide much-needed upfront capital to Brazilian states launching their forest protection programs. For every tonne purchased, Silvania will match it with a dollar of upfront capital, unlocking up to $100m in new funds. In addition to deploying this capital, the initiative begins the race to attract billions of dollars more in private sector investment to protect Brazilian rainforests.
The initiative will prioritize investments, working with and with Indigenous peoples, local and traditional communities, farmers, as well as state and federal government to reduce deforestation at scale, including through high-integrity, state-led JREDD+ (Jurisdictional Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) credits. The Tocantins state is already implementing JREDD+ in partnership with Mercuria and Silvania and will be the first program to scale as a result of the Race to Belém.
The Race to Belém is a movement initiated by Silvania in collaboration with Conservation International, and The Nature Conservancy, working with stakeholders from Brazilian Indigenous peoples, local and traditional communities, farmers, as well as state and federal government. The Race to Belém movement will grow in its sprint to COP30.
This model highlights how collaboration between state governments, local communities, and private investors can deliver scalable solutions. The Race to Belém invites other Brazilian states to follow this approach, demonstrating leadership while protecting vital ecosystems and supporting livelihoods.
Keith Tuffley, CEO, Race to Belém, said: “The Race to Belém is a call to action to protect the Brazilian rainforest before it’s too late. We are committing up to one hundred million dollars to start this race, but this is a challenge to the entire private sector to mobilize billions. This initiative will mean the leadership shown by Tocantins can be scaled across Brazilian rainforest states to drive critical investment to Indigenous peoples and local and traditional communities.”
“COP30 in Belem is a generational opportunity to reverse the economic drivers of deforestation in the Amazon and channel finance for protection, rather than destruction,” said Conservation International CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan. “As the private sector awakens to the dire consequences of inaction, companies are increasingly eager to do their part. High-integrity jurisdictional credits offer a foundational tool for flipping the economic script at the scale we need, providing critical resources for Indigenous peoples and local communities who steward these lands. This will be a seismic year for the future of the Amazon. We have a chance to look back on the trajectory of Amazonian protection in two distinct eras: pre- and post-COP30. But to win this race against time, we all need to put on our shoes and start running.”
The Amazon and other rainforests in Brazil have a vital role in global weather patterns and the looming threat of an irreversible ‘Tipping Point’ demands urgent attention. To avert this crisis, we must recognize and prioritize the economic value of standing trees over deforestation, acknowledging that a stable global economy hinges on healthy rainforest in Brazil.
“The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Risk Report tells us what we already know – that weather, biodiversity loss, change in Earth’s systems and natural resource shortages are the most severe threats. Science tells us that time is running out to invest in a critically underfunded solution – nature,” said Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy. “We have 10 months until we unite in the heart of the Amazon at a defining moment for people and the planet and upfront capital will be the difference between success and failure. The Race to Belem captures the urgency and the ambition we need now to sprint away from misaligned incentives and inaction and toward verifiable solutions and measurable progress, led by Indigenous Peoples and local and traditional communities in cooperation with state and federal government, funded by the private sector.
“Tocantins is proud to lead by example in the fight against illegal deforestation. Our partnership with the Race to Belém shows that bold action, driven by collaboration and innovation, can deliver results for nature, climate, and our communities,” said Wanderlei Barbosa, Tocantins State Governor. “We urge other states to join this critical initiative and contribute to lasting global impact.”
The Race to Belém builds on success in Brazilian states like Tocantins, which has set a high standard for JREDD+ implementation. Through partnerships with private sector leaders like Mercuria and Silvania, Tocantins has aligned state policy, Indigenous, local and community participation, and advanced monitoring technology to combat deforestation. Key achievements include the creation of a Climate Fund, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and accelerated land regularization to curb illegal deforestation.
Alongside exploring a range of investments in forest conservation in Brazil, the Race to Belém is actively collaborating with Brazilian states including Tocantins and the federal government to channel investment into high-integrity, state-led Brazilian JREDD+ programs. JREDD+ is a powerful and inclusive solution to forest conservation, scaled up to encompass entire jurisdictions and designed to create resilient landscapes and livelihoods. This approach fosters the full participation of Indigenous peoples, farmers and local and traditional communities, recognized as the most effective forest guardians. By operating at a landscape scale, JREDD+ necessitates government involvement, a crucial element for effectively halting and reversing deforestation.
“Without high integrity conservation programs which provide generous support to the peoples and communities who inhabit the Amazon, the Amazon will disappear. We are committed to working with the jurisdictions that act with integrity and transparent monitoring of the effectiveness of both their conservation initiatives and their support of local and traditional communities, farmers and indigenous peoples.” said Peter Seligmann, Chairman Silvania and Founder and Chair, Conservation International.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Media Enquiries:
info@racetobelem.earth
About Silvania:
Silvania (silvania.earth) is the flagship initiative launched by Mercuria with a $500M capital commitment dedicated to nature and biodiversity protection and restoration. Silvania is a leading carbon trader and project developer, with expertise in global carbon markets and the ability to rapidly mobilise large-scale investment from the private sector.
About Conservation International:
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Visit Conservation.org for more, and follow us on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
About The Nature Conservancy:
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.