A case study of the potential of carbon credits to generate sustainable income from reforestation

Abstract

This article aims to analyze possible economic transactions from reforestation activities and how the mechanisms of carbon credits and credit replacement are able to represent economic incentives to the process of creating sustainable activities to the forestry sector. Among these transactions, there is the institution of the carbon credit market to generate a sustainable economic profit. This carbono credit market is characterized as an alternative for companies that need to redeem themselves by levels of pollution generated by their operations. The motivating factors for the creation of carbon credits originate from the pressures made by international bodies, which are essential for companies that intend to adopt sustainable economic development models. The methodology employed to analyze was the case study of a company linked to agribusiness located in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. According to the results obtained in the research, reforestation activities present a diversified portfolio to wood destinations (timber, pulp, short logs, coal, and treated wood) which can provide a significant income to producers/investors than the alternatives of the financial market and further business opportunities.