A new guide for developing high-integrity carbon projects in the Brazilian Amazon has been released to boost the quality of nature-based solutions and attract higher-value investment for forest communities.

The Best Practice Guide for High-Integrity Carbon Projects in the Brazilian Amazon provides standards for credible, sustainable carbon finance aligned with the region’s environmental goals. It was developed with the governments of Acre and Rondônia through VCMI’s Access Strategies Program, with contributions from the Amazon Investor Coalition, Climate Focus, LACLIMA, and the GCF Task Force.

Brazil holds around 60% of the Amazon, crucial for global climate stability. Recent data shows deforestation at an 11-year low, with Acre and Rondônia among the top states for reductions. Yet the World Bank estimates $7 billion annually is needed to conserve the forest—far above current funding levels.

Officials from Acre and Rondônia said the guide will help ensure projects, including REDD+, meet state, federal, and international standards. Acre has integrated private REDD+ projects to avoid double counting, while Rondônia operates a State Register of Emissions Reductions under its climate governance system.

The guide clarifies who can implement carbon projects in Brazil, how they can interact with the Brazilian Emissions Trading System, and the importance of land rights, FPIC, and equitable benefit-sharing for Indigenous and Traditional Communities.

VCMI said high-integrity projects are essential for meeting conservation targets and supporting forest-based economies, while offering investors a clear framework for assessing quality. The guide was endorsed by Acre and Rondônia and incorporates recommendations from the GCF Task Force.

Its publication follows a broader trend of governments issuing guidance for high-quality carbon markets, including recent releases in Yucatán and East Africa. Brazil—host of COP30 in Belém—remains a major global player, generating significant shares of both regional and global NbS and REDD+ credits.

Providing clear criteria, the guide aims to strengthen investor confidence and increase demand for high-integrity carbon projects across the Amazon.

Below you’ll find the next files in order:

• English Version.
• Portuguese Version.
• Webinar Recording.