By Equipe de Redação
Posted in July 7, 2023
Atlantic Forest Corridor at Pontal do Paranapanema — Photo: Laurie Hedges – Archive – Projeto IPE
The initiative aims to plant 12 million trees in the state of São Paulo.
AstraZeneca, a global bio-pharmaceutical company, announces a R$ 350 million investment in the forest restoration of the Atlantic Forest through the ARR Corridors of Life Project. The partnership between the pharmaceutical company, Biofílica Ambipar, and the IPÊ – Institute for Ecological Research, plans to plant 12 million trees over more than 6,000 hectares, equivalent to 38 Parques do Ibirapuera or 6,000 soccer fields, and generate 400 jobs, while providing a safe habitat for endangered species. The project aims to create ecological corridors through the restoration of native vegetation in the Atlantic Forest and promote connectivity between the remaining forest fragments located in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, in the far west of the state of São Paulo. The reforestation efforts will focus on private areas, with the possibility of future expansion to public areas.
The official announcement of the partnership between AstraZeneca, Biofílica Ambipar, and IPÊ in the ARR Corridors of Life Project took place at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, the headquarters of the Government of the State of São Paulo, in the capital city. The event was attended by the Vice-Governor of the State of São Paulo, Felício Ramuth, as well as executives from the pharmaceutical company: Leon Wang (Vice President, International Region, AstraZeneca); Carlos Sánchez (Vice President, AstraZeneca Latin America); Olavo Côrrea (General Director, AstraZeneca Brazil), and Jorge Mazzei (Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Diagnostics, and Regulatory Affairs, AstraZeneca Brazil). Plínio Ribeiro, founder of Biofílica Ambipar, and Eduardo Ditt, Executive Director of IPÊ, also participated in the ceremony. The local initiative is part of the global AZ Forest project, which aims to plant over 200 million trees worldwide by the end of 2030, contributing to the fight against climate change and improving the health of people, communities, and the planet.
AstraZeneca’s global sustainability efforts in the Environmental Protection pillar include product sustainability, resource preservation, and the ambition for zero carbon emissions. The company’s sustainability strategy is focused on providing deep decarbonization in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, limiting global warming to 1.5°C. “AstraZeneca’s investment in the ARR Corridors of Life aims to contribute to the fight against climate change, improving the health of people, communities, and the planet, which we see as inherently interconnected. More than just Life Corridors, we are contributing to Health Corridors,” says Olavo Côrrea (General Director, AstraZeneca Brazil).
“We are aware of the link between deforestation and the increased likelihood of new pandemics – protecting forests is extremely positive for the health of people and communities,” Côrrea adds.
The restoration project in Pontal do Paranapanema has been in existence for over 20 years, but it is an expensive process that requires continuous investment to be viable and, above all, to scale up,” says Plínio Ribeiro, CEO of Biofílica Ambipar. “Financing through the carbon market is now the best alternative because it allows large companies like AstraZeneca to contribute to this process. The investment will be directed towards planting 6,000 hectares of forest in the Atlantic Forest by 2025.”
“Sustained by the CCB tripod (Climate, Biodiversity, and Community), our project goes beyond environmental impact and includes the generation of approximately 380 indirect jobs, distributed among local companies for operations such as soil preparation, planting, control of invasive plants and ants, as well as 20 direct jobs focused on management. These hires are essential for the development of communities and settlements in the region,” Ribeiro adds.
“The IPÊ has been operating in Pontal do Paranapanema for over 30 years, and we began implementing corridors as a conservation strategy for the landscape and endangered species such as the black lion tamarin. Throughout the process, various partners have joined us to leverage this forest restoration in the Atlantic Forest, including the private sector. The new partnership will further contribute to this project and the connection of the landscape in a biome that is one of the most deforested in Brazil,” highlights Eduardo Ditt, Executive Director of IPÊ.
AstraZeneca is a global bio-pharmaceutical company driven by science, focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and Bio-Pharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic Medicine, Respiratory, and Immunology. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
Founded in 2008, Biofílica Ambipar Environment aims to be the world’s best Nature-based Solutions (NBS) company, generating value for the environmental asset market, combating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and promoting well-being and social development. We develop projects that promote emissions reduction through forest conservation and emissions sequestration through reforestation. We believe in Nature-based Solutions as fundamental mechanisms for humanity to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and overcome the climate crisis. By 2030, between 35% and 50%* of emissions reductions should come exclusively from Nature-based Solutions.
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