The Amazon
The Amazon accounts for 50% of the world’s tropical forests, and it
houses the world’s largest drainage basin, a fifth of the planet’s fresh
water, 400 billion trees and 20% of the Earth’s total biodiversity. In
addition, it also stores 150 to 200 billion tons of carbon.
Vale has been in the Amazon for more than 30 years helping to protect
approximately 800 thousand hectares of rainforest in partnership with
Brazil’s ICMBio. The area is five times the size of São Paulo’s
capital city and represents a total of 490 million tons of carbon
equivalent.
For decades, human activity has disturbed the balance between fauna and
flora. A tour into the Amazon forest guided by those who are
reconstructing this history is the best way to connect with nature and
meet real Forest Rangers.
In a documentary series designed by Vale, we will explore the Amazon
through the meticulous eyes of those dedicated to keeping the native
forest standing, and learn about the projects, the research studies and
the people who work full time in the conservation of the Amazon
rainforest. The series is divided into four episodes with different
themes: “Conservation”, “Science and Research”, “Institutional
Partnerships” and “Recovery”, and can be watched on Vale’s channels and
on YouTube. The initiative also resulted in a 47-minute documentary to
be aired on the Discovery channels.
Learn more
Satellite images show the development of the region’s land use and
occupation, and show that only the protected area remains
preserved
Conservation Units
The Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio,
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade) and Vale are
working together to protect the largest area of continuous forest in
the south and southeast regions of Pará. The importance of the
initiatives in this partnership can be seen in a timeline that shows
the development of the region’s land use and occupation, as well as
the landscape of forested areas that are restricted to indigenous
lands and conservation units maintained by Vale and the environmental
agency.
The conservation of this area contributes to the fight against global
warming as it maintains the forest carbon stock, thus preventing gas
emissions that cause the greenhouse effect due to deforestation and
forest degradation.
 These conservation units comprise an area of over one million hectares
of forest that Vale protects, helps protect and maintain in partnership
with ICMBio, with a carbon stock of approximately 600 million tons of
CO2e.
To implement the Horizontes project, Vale is working on
five interconnected subprojects:
Environmental Licensing
The enhanced management of environmental licensing knowledge will add
speed, assertiveness, and effectiveness to specific conditions.
Diversification of land use
Expansion of the region's economic matrix with a focus on agroforestry
and agricultural and extractive activities. This will generate income
for small farmers, for example, through plantations of agricultural
crops intercropped with forests.
Conservation of water resources
In order to work with the Itacaiúnas Riverbasin, the main one in the
region, it is important to take a sustainable approach to various land
uses.
Land regularization
It is necessary to manage land use to solve possible barriers related to
the occupation of areas.
Biodiversity monitoring
It deals with the expansion of knowledge about the Conservation Units,
encouraging research.
Learn About Other Environmental Conservation Initiatives in the Region
- Recovery of Degraded Areas in Canaã dos Carajás (Pará)
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We are promoting reforestation of pasture areas acquired in Serra
Sul by creating true ecological corridors and restoring the region's
fauna and flora. Since the project was created, 1,045 hectares have
been planted and 3,853 are being recovered.
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Seedling Production to Recover Permanent Preservation Areas (APP,
Áreas de Preservação Permanentes)
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The revegetation process is carried out with plantations of native
species of Flonade Carajás. Vale's Forest Nursery in Carajás
produces approximately 200,000 seedlings a year, covering an average
of 120 species.
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Research by Vale Institute of Technology (ITV, Instituto Tecnológico
Vale)
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ITV conducts research with a focus on sustainable development and
mining. Natural Capital, one of the projects developed, is an
initiative that deals directly with the carbon stock in the Carajás
National Forest. The research seeks to establish a relationship
between microclimate regulation in the forest areas and the possible
implications in case of loss of vegetation. These studies help
understand future scenarios according to climate change, forecast
which forests are at risk to beextinguished, and understand the
types of native vegetation in a region.
Partnerships and Investment
In the last decade, through our Fundo Vale, we supported more
than 70 initiatives led by research institutions, governmental
agencies, NGOs and startups. These partnerships have enabled us to
protect more than 23 million hectares of rainforest.
Through the Vale Foundation, we invest in social projects in
the states of Pará and Maranhão, in areas such as health, education,
culture and income generation.
And through the Vale Technological Institute, we invest in
biodiversity, genome and climate change research. All these
initiatives combined represent a total of R$792 million in investments
made.
Without the rainforest, there’s no future for the planet.
The Amazon accounts for 50% of the world’s tropical forests, and it
houses the world’s largest drainage basin, a fifth of the planet’s
fresh water, 400 billion trees and 20% of the Earth’s total
biodiversity. In addition, it also stores 150 to 200 billion tons of
carbon.
Brazil’s future depends on the forest, too.
Our rainforest has been dwindling at an alarming rate for years on
end—a direct consequence of fires, land grabs and illegal logging. All
this has a huge impact on biodiversity. Right now, approximately 25.5
million people live within the Amazon, including 325 thousand
indigenous people that have lived in the area for thousands of years.
We can no longer wait!
We urgently need to preserve our forest and to promote the sustainable
development of local populations, by encouraging bioeconomic
initiatives and creating a favourable business environment for
conserving the rainforest.
And what is Vale doing for the forest?
We’ve been in the Amazon for more than 30 years, helping to protect
approximately 800 thousand hectares of rainforest in partnership with
Brazil’s ICMBio. The area is five times the size of São Paulo’s
capital city and represents a total of 490 million tons of carbon
equivalent.
The Amazon accounts for more than half of our iron ore production. In
terms of sustainable development, we are one of the region’s major
players. We generate income and thousands of jobs, and we engage an
entire chain of local suppliers.
Plus, we’re keeping the trees alive by supporting the protection of
391 thousand hectares of land that comprise the Carajás National
Forest.
And we’re not doing anything alone.
In the last decade, through our Fundo Vale, we supported more
than 70 initiatives led by research institutions, governmental
agencies, NGOs and startups. These partnerships have enabled us to
protect more than 23 million hectares of rainforest.
Through Vale Foundation, we invest in social projects in the
states of Pará and Maranhão, in areas such as health, education,
culture and income generation.
And through the Vale Technological Institute, we invest in
biodiversity, genome and climate change research. All these
initiatives combined represent a total of R$792 million in investments
made.
We need to take action now. And every day.
For that reason, we are reaffirming our commitment to promoting
sustainable development in the region:
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To respect and promote the rights and the culture of indigenous
peoples and traditional communities.
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To support the fight against illegal mining and logging, in addition
to promoting spatial planning and land regularization in
consolidated areas.
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To invest in renewable energy sources and to reduce carbon
emissions, with goals adhering to the Paris Agreement.
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To promote the inclusion of forests in the carbon markets through
REDD and other mechanisms.
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To encourage environmental protection and restoration initiatives,
highlighting the value of the rainforest, increasing carbon
sequestration and stocking, and ensuring that we continue to offer
environmental stewardship services.
This is how we’re advancing the New Pact with Society we have
established.
Without the Amazon, the future can’t sustain itself.
Amazônia
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