National Engagement: Brazil

To scale impact and build local ownership, G20 GLI is starting its activities at the national level, planning to provide support to national start up ecosystems. In 2025, we’re launching a pilot engagement in Brazil, leveraging accelerators, innovation hubs, and public institutions to reach hundreds of youth ecopreneurs working on land restoration.

A global hotspot for biodiversity and forest restoration, Brazil offers high restoration potential and a robust ecosystem of green startups and accelerators. Government and private sector actors have expressed strong interest in GLI’s goals.

Launched in May 2025, this course targets university students worldwide enrolled in urban planning and related programs. With a focus on sustainable urban land restoration and innovation, it aims to equip a new generation of urban planners and eco-entrepreneurs.

Professors, lecturers and training instructors can receive course materials and implement this course to empower their students in addressing the challenges of balancing land use, land restoration and sustainable development through informed urban planning.

Why Brazil?

Brazil is one of the world’s most ecologically significant countries, home to six unique biomes—including the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, and Pampa—all facing increasing threats from degradation and deforestation. With 22 million hectares committed for restoration by 2030 and projections of up to 2.5 million green jobs, Brazil is a natural leader in the restoration economy.

Brazil leads Latin America in startup investment —$1.7B in funding (Startuolinks, 2025)— with investors focused on quality and scalability, favoring startups with clear paths to revenue and social-environmental impact. Activity is increasing across all five regions, though the Southeast (notably São Paulo) remains the central hub.

 

And, there’s more:

  • Global ecological relevance: 310 million hectares of public forests
  • High urgency: In 2020, over 312,000 km² were burned—nearly half in the Amazon Basin
  • Startup powerhouse: Ranked #1 in South America and #27 globally in startup ecosystems
  • Over 14,000 active startups, many are in agri-tech, green innovation, and climate solutions

Global ecological importance

  • One of the five megaforest countries, with 310 million hectares of public forests-92% of which are in the Amazon.

  • Home to unique biomes: the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pampa, and Pantanal-all under serious threat of degradation.

Urgent need of action

  • In 2020, 312,140 km2 of land were burned, nearly half of it within the Amazon Basin.

  • Severe droughts and increasing desertification are on the rise.

Commitments

  • The restoration sector in Brazil could generate between 1 to 2.5 million jobs by 2030.

  • Brazil has committed to restoring 22 million hectares by 2030 through the Bonn Challenge. Planaveg, and other national plans.

Leader in startup ecosystem

  • Regional leadership: Ranked 1st in South America and 27th globally in startup ecosystems.

  • High startup density: home to approximately 13,000 active startups.

22M+

Ha committed

To restore by 2030

Our G20 GLI Approach

  • Local delivery partners: working with leading BSOs, youth networks, and NGOs
  • Adapted grantmaking
  • Monitoring and learning to refine scalable delivery models
  • Ecosystem coordination through private–public collaboration

Activities are kicking off soon—stay tuned for opportunities, calls for applications, and partnership announcements!