The preservation of the Amazon and its biodiversity is vital for the world. Environmental balance, the products of forests, the rainfall that the forest produces for the rest of Brazil, the so-called “flying rivers” that also influence rainfall in Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and even in the extreme south of Chile, give the true dimension of the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest.
A large number of initiatives, financed by the Brazilian government and other countries, by international organizations and by financial resources from local and international philanthropy managed to reduce deforestation and degradation of the Amazon biome. Even so, the challenge remains, as unsustainable economic development, regional political instability, the Manaus Free Zone model and its uncertain future, in addition to the growing demand for food, especially rich in proteins, add up to constant and strong pressure for degradation. of the biome.
It is necessary to promote the development of a sustainable economy with the adoption of economic practices with greater productivity per unit of area, capable of sustaining the local population at a higher income level and with less environmental impact. The development of this new economy will take place through business models not yet used in the region, which present impactful solutions. It will be necessary to develop and implement an investment ecosystem, involving entrepreneurs, donors and impact investors.
The objective of the study “Impact Investment in the Amazon: Paths to Sustainable Development” is to draw an image of the region, identifying investment mechanisms, types of enterprise, value chains, obstacles and opportunities for investment in the area.
This image will serve as a subsidy for agents committed to promoting sustainable development in the region. It is not a prescriptive work, but a basis to encourage discussion on the topic and to structure decision-making. With the objective of reaching an audience that includes both investors and specialists in conservation and social action, we seek to present some basic concepts of investments in a didactic way.
This study was produced by Sitawi Finanças do Bem, through the PPA – Parceiros Pela Amazônia initiative, managed by the IDESAM – Institute for Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Amazon and financed by USAID – United States Agency for International Development, through CIAT – International Center for Tropical Agriculture.
