In collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainability (IIS), CSF developed innovative financial solutions to address legal deforestation linked to soybean production in the Matopiba region of Brazil. This project focused on reducing deforestation by leveraging landowner behavior and creating incentives to promote sustainable land use.
The project was divided into two main phases:
- Phase 1: evaluation and prioritization of conservation strategies, including financial solutions such as land purchase or payment for environmental services. Each alternative undergoes cost-benefit analyses and environmental and social impact assessments to ensure their feasibility and effectiveness.
- Phase 2: development of a comprehensive implementation plan for the selected financial solution. This phase included operational strategies, governance structures, funding sources, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure the initiative’s long-term success and scalability.
Through behavioral insights, stakeholder consultations, and benchmarking against similar initiatives, the project identified land purchase as the most effective financial mechanism — offering greater flexibility than Private Natural Heritage Reserves conversion while delivering measurable conservation outcomes. The solution demonstrated potential for carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and water resource conservation, alongside important social co-benefits. The research also highlighted critical implementation factors including governance arrangements, fire prevention protocols, and sustainable land management practices, creating a replicable framework for balancing agricultural production with environmental preservation in tropical biomes.
With this work, CSF continues to provide data-driven, actionable solutions for balancing economic activity and environmental preservation.
Image: Freepik.