Re.Green Secures R$80M For Brazil Forest Restoration

Through an innovative financial model that combines creativity with environmental stewardship, Brazilian ecological restoration company re.green has reached an unprecedented milestone by obtaining R$ 80 million from BNDES's Climate Fund. Under its international Shades of Green method, SandP Global Ratings gave this historic transaction the top "Dark Green" designation—the first time a forest restoration initiative in Brazil received a biodiversity label. This distinguished designation emphasizes the project's great fit with international sustainable finance standards including criteria from the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), Loan Market Association (LMA), Sustainability Bond Guidelines (SBG), and the IFC's Biodiversity Finance Reference Guide.

Re.green CEO Thiago Picolo stressed the importance of this accomplishment as a "double milestone" that opens public capital through private guarantees while receiving technical praise for forest restoration as a practical answer to climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable territorial development. A private guarantee from Bradesco together with ESG advisory assistance from Bradesco BBI enabled the creative funding mechanism. Together, these components helped to direct capital efficiently toward reviving more than 16,000 hectares across two of Brazil's most important biomes: the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest. This initiative aims to promote local socio-economic growth as well as restore biodiversity and reduce climate change.

Head of Fixed Income at Bradesco BBI, Felipe Thut, said he was proud to build a transaction setting a precedent for financial creativity combined with environmental accountability. Reflecting the financial sector's dedication to support regenerative economic models that give ecological resilience top priority, he said, "We have to clear the path for more projects like this to come to life."

Additionally a notable endorsement of Brazil's Climate Fund, a major instrument in the country's environmental financial system, the project allows BNDES to aggressively address the consequences of climate change in Brazil. President Lula and the Federal Government have made available a strong instrument called the fund, according to BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante. Mercadante called the re.green deal "a clear illustration of the strength of this Fund," which indicates increasing government backing for projects that heal ecosystems and support sustainable development.

With over 4.5 million seedlings from more than 80 native species already planted, re.green's restoration efforts cover a staggering 26,000 hectares. Working together with 29 local nurseries emphasizes how the project is incorporated with local ecological and economic systems. Apart from environmental remediation, the activities have produced over 200 direct jobs and trained almost 300 people in important sectors including seed collecting, fire prevention, and beekeeping—all of which support community involvement and capacity building.

With its AAe score from BeZero Carbon, which ranks its carbon credit programs among the most trusted worldwide, the company's dedication to real and effective climate action is further supported. This acknowledgement helps to provide investors and other stakeholders with assurance of the veracity and environmental integrity of the carbon credits produced, therefore adding substantial value to re.green's endeavors.

As re.green grows its activities, this creative transaction offers a repeatable model for using nature as infrastructure. Re.green is assisting to de-risk capital flows and foster investor confidence in nature-based solutions by combining financial innovation with ecological restoration. Besides assisting Brazil's shift toward a climate-resilient and nature-based economy, this model offers a scalable structure for other nations to follow in their own environmental recovery projects.

Re.green's ground-breaking R$ 80 million financing agreement with BNDES's Climate Fund, made possible by Bradesco's private guarantee and ESG advice, is a turning point in biodiversity finance in Brazil. The project's designation by SandP Global Ratings of "Dark Green" biodiversity confirms its leadership in sustainable finance, while the vast rehabilitation of vital Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes shows actual advancement in local development, biodiversity recovery, and climate mitigation. Re.green's success, backed by both public and private sectors, sets a precedent for future nature-based projects, thereby placing Brazil at the forefront of worldwide efforts to use financial innovation for environmental sustainability.