Nestlé has inked two long-term agreements to purchase carbon credits from afforestation and regenerative agriculture projects in Brazil, strengthening its strategy to decarbonise supply chains and restore ecosystems critical to cocoa production.
Close-up of a man's hand picking ripe cocoa fruit from a tree, with a sustainable agriculture plantation in Bahia’s Atlantic Forest and lush, biodiverse hills in the background. AI generated picture.
In one of the largest afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) offtake agreements by a non-tech company, the Swiss multinational has partnered with Rio de Janeiro-based developer Re.green to acquire 880,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) credits over the next 30 years. The project, located in Bahia’s Atlantic Forest biome, spans 2,000 hectares and aims to plant 3.3 million native trees using Verra’s VM0047 ARR methodology.
‘We will operate in one of the most biodiverse and pressured regions on the planet, contributing to regenerating landscapes, protecting natural resources, and strengthening environmental services that support long-term development,’ said Thiago Picolo, CEO of Re.green.
In parallel, Nestlé is also working with Swiss chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut on a 25-year regenerative agriculture programme with the potential for a 20-year extension. This effort will convert over 6,000 hectares in Bahia and Pará into agroforestry systems, integrating 7.7 million seedlings—mainly cocoa and native species. The project is expected to generate 600,000 tCO₂e in carbon credits. Nestlé is covering 60% of the project costs.
Nestlé’s executive director of business transformation and ESG in Brazil, Barbara Sapunar, described the initiative as part of a broader strategy: ‘[The projects] go far beyond carbon removal. By using complementary restoration strategies, we are investing in regenerating the landscapes we source from and in strengthening more resilient supply chains.’
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Both projects have already begun implementation, with planting scheduled through 2030. Nestlé’s broader sustainability plan includes planting 200 million trees globally by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
While the pricing details for the credits remain undisclosed, industry estimates for forward ARR agreements in Brazil—especially those using high-quality methodologies like Verra's—are currently around $55 per tCO₂e, depending on financing structures and payment timing.
This latest collaboration in Brazil builds on an existing agroforestry programme between Nestlé and Barry Callebaut in Côte d’Ivoire, which covers 11,500 hectares and is projected to sequester 1.3 million tCO₂e over 25 years. Together, the initiatives underscore the companies’ evolving approach to carbon mitigation—integrating climate action with long-term agricultural productivity.
While neither company disclosed financial terms, market estimates suggest that high-quality ARR credits in Brazil, particularly those involving native species and robust methodologies like Verra’s, have recently traded around $55 per tCO₂e in forward offtake agreements. Pricing can vary significantly based on project financing structures, especially whether buyers commit upfront capital or opt for later-stage payments tied to credit issuance.
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As leading global brands turn to large-scale, long-term carbon projects rooted in ecosystem restoration, one thing is clear: The future of the carbon market will be driven not by volume, but by the quality, credibility, and co-benefits of each credit. High-integrity offsets that regenerate landscapes, support local communities, and meet the most rigorous certification standards are quickly becoming the benchmark. This is exactly where DGB Group delivers. As a publicly listed company on Euronext, our nature-based projects are built from the ground up to meet this new era of expectations. Certified under Verra and Gold Standard, our work goes beyond carbon to create tangible, lasting value for nature and people. You can become part of this revolution as well.
