Imaflora and the Brazilian Forest Service present Forest Concessions during the 1st Knowledge Journey meeting with Federal Prosecutors (MPF)

Series of meetings aims to strengthen understanding of Sustainable Forest Management and conservation instruments in the Amazon

Amid the growing challenge of reconciling environmental conservation and economic development in the Amazon, the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) and the Institute for Forest and Agricultural Management and Certification (Imaflora) held the first session of the Knowledge Journey on Forest Concessions. The virtual event brought together federal prosecutors from the Federal Prosecution Service (MPF), representatives from the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), members of the judiciary, researchers, and subject-matter experts.

The objective of the initiative is to disseminate qualified information about the forest concession model in Brazil, discussing its importance for forest conservation, local income generation, and the strengthening of public policies.

During the event, Renato Rosenberg, Director of Forest Concessions and Monitoring at the SFB, emphasized that concessions represent a practical solution for protecting large areas of public forests: “forest concessions are the antithesis of abandonment. They represent a continued State presence, organizing land use and promoting sustainable development,” he explained.

Strategies to keep the forest standing

The first session addressed the topic “Forest Concession Process: Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Restoration.” The presentation covered the fundamentals of Sustainable Forest Management, monitoring tools — such as satellite and drone surveillance — as well as practices that minimize impacts on forest regeneration, including directional felling and careful planning of access roads.

Leonardo Sobral, Director of Forests and Restoration at Imaflora, was one of the speakers and highlighted the transformative potential of concessions. “Where there is sustainable management, there are standing forests, jobs, income, and reduced vulnerability to illegal deforestation.”

Another topic discussed was the socio-environmental impact of concessions on traditional communities. Rosenberg explained that the Brazilian model includes public consultations and impact assessments to ensure the rights of local populations, following guidelines such as free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).

Coordination and dialogue

During the discussions, participants reinforced the importance of interinstitutional dialogue to strengthen concessions as a tool for conservation and development in the Amazon. One of the main concerns raised was the need to expand understanding of how financial resources generated by these concessions are used, ensuring that their impacts translate into tangible benefits for local communities.

Participants noted that harmonizing different regulatory levels and adopting best practices are essential steps to improve control over the timber production chain.

In the socio-environmental field, emphasis was placed on the importance of considering the impacts of concessions on ecosystems and traditional populations. Representatives from the SFB explained that there are prior mechanisms for community consultation and specific authorization processes, such as the Sustainable Forest Management Plan (PMFS). Even so, prosecutors highlighted the need to ensure more effective safeguards within licensing processes.

Bioeconomy and development

Finally, both the benefits and challenges of the model were discussed. One participant highlighted the economic and social returns generated by concessions, including the creation of community-based projects, but warned of the need for stronger institutional frameworks to prevent conflicts. Another emphasized that, despite its limitations, the model represents a better alternative than the uncontrolled expansion of land grabbing, and that the goal should be to continuously pursue more efficient and equitable solutions.

In addition to expanding understanding of the process, the initiative also seeks to improve oversight and promote greater alignment among public, private, and community stakeholders.

The program will continue through June, with three additional virtual sessions and one hybrid meeting — including an in-person component in Manaus (AM) — covering topics such as the role of the Public Prosecution Service in environmental oversight, concessions focused on forest restoration, and perspectives on carbon-related initiatives in Brazil.