Eco Invest Brasil: National Program to Attract Investments for Ecological Transformation
A recent auction under the initiative has strengthened guarantees for foreign investors. The Brazilian government mechanism, which recently marked its first anniversary, has already mobilized more than R$75 billion.
By the National Treasury
The public notice for the 3rd auction of the Eco Invest Brasil Program was published in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) this Monday, October 13, following its launch by the Brazilian federal government last Wednesday, October 8. Banks may submit proposals until November 19.
In its first year of operation, Eco Invest Brasil has established itself as one of the leading instruments for attracting private investments aimed at ecological transition in the country. The initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Finance (MF) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), is funded by resources from the Amazon Fund and has already mobilized over R$75 billion (approximately US$13.4 billion) in domestic and international capital to drive sustainable projects across the national territory.
The program, part of the Novo Brasil Ecological Transformation Plan led by the Ministry of Finance, aims to foster an economic transition grounded in bioeconomy, green industry, sustainable finance, and energy transition. It promotes a constructive agenda that generates jobs, economic development, and opportunities, with the environment as a key asset in this process. The mechanism is part of a broader set of measures expected to be included in the Climate Plan, Brazil’s strategy for fulfilling its NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution).
“Eco Invest is an example of Brazil’s leadership in building a new cycle of prosperity. In just two auctions, we have mobilized over R$75 billion to enable innovative projects that restore degraded rural areas, produce clean energy, and create green jobs. This is ecological transition in action—driven by data, innovation, and partnership between government and the private sector,” emphasized Marina Silva, head of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA).
How it works
In practice, local banks participate in auctions, competing based on their financial leverage potential—that is, who can mobilize the most private capital for a given amount of public funds. The winning institutions commit to raising external resources and allocating the mobilized capital to finance projects focused on energy transition, bioeconomy, circular economy, green infrastructure, and climate adaptation in Brazil.
To promote these investments, Eco Invest is structured around four sub-lines: blended financing, long-term foreign exchange liquidity facility, support for foreign exchange risk hedging, and project structuring.
Initial Results
In the first auction, held a year ago, the blended financing line saw demand for approximately R$7 billion in public funds and led to the mobilization of around R$45 billion in new sustainable investments projected over the next 24 months. Nine financial institutions were approved to operate within the program.
The second auction, focused exclusively on the restoration of degraded land areas, totaled R$30 billion in investments, with R$16 billion coming from public funding. This joint initiative by the Ministry of Finance (MF), the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) will enable the restoration of 1.4 million hectares—covering all Brazilian biomes—an area nine times the size of London, England. With ten winning banks, the auction will ensure broad territorial coverage, facilitating land recovery across Brazil, especially in the Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Amazon biomes.
Beyond promoting investment, Eco Invest has helped ensure that new sustainable technologies developed in Brazil can grow and be replicated across different sectors and regions. So far, more than R$4 billion are already funding environmental projects. Among them is a standout initiative in Minas Gerais focused on producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from macaúba—a native palm of the Cerrado biome—supporting land restoration and, consequently, the energy transition.
Inovação
The 3rd auction, launched last Wednesday, October 8, introduced a groundbreaking mechanism: foreign exchange hedging, which provides hedging against currency fluctuations and enhances security for foreign investors. This edition focuses on supporting startups and scaling companies that develop technologies for clean energy, waste reuse, and sustainable initiatives.
According to the Secretary of the National Treasury, Rogério Ceron, Eco Invest Brasil has already become a strategic tool and has been well received by the financial market. “The program represents a turning point for Brazil. We are creating real conditions to increasingly boost sustainable investment, with strong support from the private sector. The market has responded positively, showing that it is possible to grow responsibly and make the ecological transition truly happen,” he emphasized.
Marina Silva reaffirmed that the program is a testament to Brazil’s leadership in advancing the ecological transition agenda by example. She emphasized that this is only possible through collaborative efforts. “We are creating a new ecosystem for business and, more importantly, for mindsets—a new cycle of prosperity. This is the cross-cutting environmental agenda in full motion. And at the same time, it is about our ability to optimize resources,” she highlighted.
Next Steps
Later in 2025, the program is expected to hold a new auction focused exclusively on the Amazon region, aiming to support projects that combine environmental conservation, bioeconomy, and income generation for local communities. The Ministry of Finance anticipates that the announcement will be made until COP30.
Strategic Partnerships
Eco Invest Brasil is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Finance (MF) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the British Embassy in Brazil.