Analysis of the voluntary carbon market in the agricultural frontier region of Mato Grosso

Abstract

Climate change is seen as one of the great challenges to be solved by humanity. On the other hand, taking measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions is seen as an obstacle by some international entities and organizations, as industrial activities, land use, among many others related to production, are considered leaders in the emission of polluting gases. In this sense, methodologies have been developed that aim to promote the capture of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, determining and quantifying this activity in proportions equivalent to carbon dioxide. Currently, some private companies are part of the so-called voluntary carbon market, applying rigorous control and verification methods to projects that propose to capture and store carbon or equivalents through the application of these methodologies. Even though it is not new, the topic is not yet part of the routine of the population of several regions of Brazil, including the Intermediate Geographic Region of Sinop, an area delimited for this study and characterized by being a region of eminently agricultural commercial activities. This research aimed to establish a general overview regarding the presence of these private companies in the delimited region. To this end, publicly provided data was analyzed. The data was obtained through research on interactive panels and official platforms of voluntary carbon market companies. As a result, data such as the total extension of the area used, as well as the predicted emission reduction for each project, are presented. It is concluded that this market has undergone rapid and significant evolution in recent years in the region, with several projects presented in the last seven years, demonstrating the increased interest of the local population in the subject.