Regenera América
Regenera América hits $23.7 million in 2023.
The program has already undertaken 9 initiatives in Latin America since its launch in 2021.
The program has already undertaken 9 initiatives in Latin America since its launch in 2021.
Mercado Libre will invest $23.7 million this year in Regenera América, its program promoting regeneration and conservation of iconic Latin American biomes, a region that hosts 40% of the planet's biodiversity. By financing projects combining biodiversity protection and carbon dioxide capture, the program aims to contribute to mitigating climate change through long-term nature-based solutions.
In just three years since its launch in 2021, Regenera América has implemented nine projects in the region, currently concentrated in Brazil and Mexico. The three new projects this year are the Curuá project in the state of Pará, northern Brazil; Novas Florestas in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest; and Corredor Campeche in Mexico, focusing on the Selva Maya. Three initiatives supported the previous year, Águas do Río, Corredor Pau Brasil, and Café Apuí, will also expand, enhancing the benefits of ongoing processes and generated restoration chains.
Including this year's announced initiatives, Regenera América will begin restoration and conservation for over 15,000 hectares of native forest, equivalent to restoring or conserving more than 14 million trees. This equates to an estimated capture of over 1.1 million tons of CO2e over 30 years and prevents the emission of over 3 million tons of CO2e over the same period.
Among the new initiatives is the Curuá project in the state of Pará, northern Brazil, one of the Amazon's most densely forested areas. Deforestation in this region has caused significant environmental impacts, and the project will support the initial stage of conserving 8,200 hectares, preventing the potential emission of over 3 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over 30 years. The Novas Florestas project will focus on reforesting 155 hectares by planting nearly 300,000 native trees in the Atlantic Forest near São Paulo. In Mexico, Regenera América will support the Corredor Campeche initiative along with Toroto, an environmental sector leader working on nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis. The project will restore over 720 hectares of the Selva Maya, considered the largest tropical forest in Central America.
The project Aguas do Río in the Tinguá-Bocaina Parks region in Brazil will expand by reforesting an additional 100 hectares, reaching a total of 170 hectares with the planting of over 166,000 native Atlantic Forest trees in Rio de Janeiro. This contributes to biodiversity conservation and protection of the region's watersheds. The Corredor Pau Brasil initiative in Bahia will also expand, adding another 100 hectares, reaching a total of 170 hectares of Atlantic Forest restored by planting almost 170,000 native trees, supporting the creation of a biological corridor between two national parks. The Café Apuí initiative will advance with an additional 10 hectares of support and the planting of 20,000 native trees, totaling 20 hectares of restoration in the Amazon rainforest. This, in synergy with coffee production, contributes to responsible agriculture and generates alternative incomes for local producing families.
Every year that our operation grows, our responsibility and commitment to Latin America grow. Leveraging technology, science, experts, producers, and local communities, we continue to invest a proportionate amount to our carbon footprint in initiatives that regenerate forests and contribute to biodiversity conservation and the well-being of our communities, At Mercado Libre, we know the time to act is now. These last three years of learning have allowed us to consolidate Regenera América, and today we can proudly say we have a significant project portfolio that contributes to protecting and regenerating native biomes, essential for human life and the fight against climate change.
Pachama
All projects in Brazil and Mexico will be driven by Mercado Libre alongside Pachama, the program's strategic partner. Pachama is a technology company that uses advances in satellite imagery, remote sensors, and machine learning to measure and monitor carbon stored in forests with unprecedented accuracy and over time. With a strong on-the-ground presence, it collaborates with local implementing organizations to initiate new projects.
It is an honor for us to continue strengthening our alliance with Mercado Libre to continue promoting the regeneration and conservation of the iconic biomes of Latin America, essential for capturing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide, crucial for mitigating climate change. This year, with just the three new projects, we will protect and restore over 9,000 hectares of land in Brazil and Mexico, conserve over 2 million trees, and plant over 800,000. The initiatives will have a significant impact on local communities, wildlife, and our climate, which we will constantly measure over the years.
Regenera
Mercado Libre's entrepreneurial spirit continually prompts the company to ask what it can best do to innovate, transform, and generate positive social and environmental impact in the communities where it operates. With the projects announced this year, Regenera América will have initiated restoration and conservation processes for over 15,000 hectares of native forest, equivalent to restoring or conserving more than 14 million trees. These will contribute to capturing an estimated more than 1.1 million tons of CO2e over 30 years and preventing the emission of over 3 million tons of CO2e in the same period. More information at www.regeneraamerica.com
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