Exclusive! Cristalino generates valuable Social Carbon credits for UPL, the first major carbon neutral agribusiness company in Brazil.
- Art Dam
- Jul 24
- 3 min read
One of the largest global suppliers of sustainable agricultural products and solutions operating in Brazil. One of the world's best ecolodges in the Amazon region. Two experienced, purpose-driven specialists. And their respective committed teams. Here's the result when all this aligns, in the words of the protagonists themselves. Exclusively for the Carbon Credit Markets portal.
"More than offsetting our emissions, we are investing in the Amazon bioeconomy and demonstrating that Brazilian agriculture is an active part of the climate solution," said Rogério Castro, CEO of UPL Brasil, after announcing yesterday the acquisition of 2,464 high-integrity carbon credits from forest conservation projects in the Brazilian Amazon:
Cristalino, certified by Social Carbon according to the SCM003 methodology.
ABC Norte REDD+ (Algar Group), certified by Verra, according to the VM0015 methodology.
Both certifiers are internationally recognized and work to develop forest conservation projects, promote biodiversity, and support communities. Links to their respective registries are included above.
Regarding UPL Brasil's investment, the initiative is part of the company's broad decarbonization program, launched in 2022, which includes actions aimed at reducing and offsetting emissions.
In Brazil, UPL received support from Agrotema Soluções, a consultancy specializing in agribusiness sustainability. The firm curated and selected projects, ensuring the socio-environmental integrity of the credits. See the certificate issued below.
"Neutralization is just the beginning. The future of agriculture lies in low-emission production and the integration of chemical and biological solutions. And that's what UPL believes in," concludes Rogério Castro.
Rogério Teixeira de Melo of Agrotema adds, "Choosing good projects is crucial to consolidating the voluntary carbon market in Brazil, ensuring that investments reach those who truly protect the forest and its surrounding populations. In this scenario, the role of the private sector is crucial: well-structured decarbonization and offset commitments drive the development of high-integrity carbon projects that keep the forest standing and promote a new model of sustainable development for the Amazon."
One of the projects curated by Rogério was the Cristalino Carbon Removal Project.
Carbon credits issued by the Cristalino Carbon Removals Project are ex-post, meaning they are only issued after carbon has been removed from the atmosphere and independently verified by external auditing companies. The project’s first issuance of credits took place in 2024. Moving forward, the Cristalino will continue to issue verified credits each cycle for a total period of 10 years, ensuring that individuals and businesses can consistently offset their emissions with high-integrity removals.
"Brazil has everything it needs to lead a new economy based on conservation and environmental services. There's a shift in perception in the voluntary market: there's demand for credits with high integrity, socio-environmental responsibility, and real impact. Projects like Cristalino, which effectively remove carbon and conserve invaluable forests, are paving the way for a new standard of quality in the sector," comments Alexandre Da Riva of Projeto Cristalino.
Alexandre also manages Cristalino Lodge, considered by National Geographic Traveler to be one of the 25 best ecolodges in the world. See below more photos of the region.
Cristalino Carbon Removal Project. Credits João Paulo Krajewski.
Flávio Ojidos, partner at Jataí Capital e Conservação, developer of the Cristalino Carbon Removal Project, adds:
“The Cristalino Project represents a new frontier for ARR projects supported by Nature-Based Solutions. Structured in the Forests Remaining as Forests category, it stands out for conserving native vegetation, removing and maintaining valuable carbon stocks, and promoting multiple socio-environmental benefits. The recent negotiation of credits at US$30 per ton demonstrates the recognition of its high integrity, methodological quality, and the real impact it generates on the territory—both in protecting biodiversity and in valuing the communities involved. This transaction reinforces that well-structured projects, with strong governance and tangible results, have a place in the high-quality voluntary carbon market.”
