Biodiversity
Conservation together with sustainable development
Port of Açu is located in an area of high biological diversity, where the restinga ecosystem and the Atlantic Forest biome prevail. The region is part of the lower Paraíba do Sul watershed, whose main water bodies are the Paraíba do Sul River and the Iquipari, Açu, Salgada, Veiga, and Grussaí lagoons. The port is located within the 100km priority area for the protection of sea turtles, mainly of the Caretta caretta species.
To reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable business development, we go beyond environmental monitoring programs. Our efforts are centered on two action pillars: (i) preservation of the restinga ecosystem through actions by the RPPN Caruara, a conservation unit created voluntarily in 2012, and (ii) protection of sea turtles, which are a key species in the region.
Caruara Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN Caruara)
Created voluntarily in 2012, RPPN Caruara is at the heart of our biodiversity conservation actions and is the largest private conservation unit in the country dedicated to the restinga ecosystem. Located near the Industrial District of São João da Barra, the reserve covers 4,000 hectares of protected area of a remnant fragment of restinga, with stretches of forest and environments associated with the Iquipari and Grussaí lagoons.
The reserve has the only seedling nursery in Brazil dedicated to the restinga ecosystem, handling 89 species that are native to this environment.
To promote biodiversity conservation actions through RPPN Caruara, we prepared a Management Plan to establish norms for the intended uses of the conservation unit. To learn more, visit Reserva Caruara
RPPN Caruara responsibilities
- Propose, implement, manage, protect, inspect, and monitor activities with a focus on preservation
- Execute and host recreational, public, and tourist programs together with the community and other agencies
- Implement policies related to the sustainable use of natural resources and support the development of local communities
- Promote regional development by facilitating road access, enabling the use of the Caruara Reserve and its surroundings by citizens of all income levels
- Engage the communities in biodiversity conservation through volunteer work and public recognition of this contribution
- Foster and execute educational and scientific research programs for biodiversity conservation in the Caruara Reserve
Considering these responsibilities, we have programs in place geared toward forest restoration and monitoring of wildlife and flora associated with environmental permitting processes. We voluntarily designed a 2030 Agenda for Caruara based on three pillars: tourist visits, environmental services, and education and scientific research.
In 2021, we began the construction of the new RPPN Caruara headquarters, which will support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and strengthen the sustainable development chain in the region.
The Reserve in numbers:
protected hectares
plant species cataloged
wildlife species cataloged
research studies
species grown in the seedling nursery
Scientific research on the restinga ecosystem
Given its rich biodiversity, RPPN Caruara has participated in several research studies and development of content about the restinga ecosystem, including:
- Restinga Workshop Report;
- Book “O Tempo e a Restinga”;
- Article “Structure and floristic composition of four restinga vegetation formations in the Grussaí/Iquipari lagoon complex”;
- Presentation at a conference “Forest restoration in restingas: The experience of RPPN Caruara, São João da Barra/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil”
With a wealth of biodiversity, Caruara has participated in several research studies and content development about the restinga ecosystem, including:
Sea Turtle Monitoring Program (PMTM)
Created in 2008, the Sea Turtle Monitoring Program (PMTM) seeks to integrate Açu’s development with the protection of sea turtles through environmental education, community engagement, monitoring, and production of scientific knowledge.
PMTM meets the technical guidelines of the Chico Mendes Biodiversity and Conservation Institute (ICMBio), Tamar, and the State Environmental Institute (INEA). The program monitors 62 km of coastline every day – from Pontal do Atafona, in São João da Barra, to Barra do Furado, in Campos (both municipalities located in Rio de Janeiro State).
During the reproductive period (October to March), nests are located, cataloged, and monitored until hatchlings are born. The program maintains a veterinary clinic with a rehabilitation center for sea turtles for treatment and recovery.
In 2021, PMTM celebrated its 13th anniversary, and its contribution to scientific knowledge about turtle species in the region was expanded through a partnership signed with Tamar/ICMBio.
Milestones
Million
turtle hatchings released
nests protected by the 2020/2021 season
animals recovered at the rehabilitation center
animals monitored
Learn about other topics related to the Environment and Climate
Environmental Management
Our environmental management activities are based on mapping environmental aspects and risks through assessments and technical studies and follows the guidelines of our Sustainability Policy’s standards and procedures.
Climate Change
In developing our business, we seek to fully incorporate risks and opportunities related to climate change. Our work is based on three pillars: mitigation, adaptation, and opportunities, focusing on energy transition and low-carbon businesses.
