Dedicated to promoting and financing initiatives and projects aimed at the sustainable development of the Amazon Biome, the JBS Fund for the Amazon was created at the end of 2020 to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the forest, improve the quality of life of the region's population and the development using technology and applied science.
In order to structure the JBS Fund's operation in the Amazon, Aerton Paiva, president of Instituto Interelos, was invited to support the design of a strategy that presented the minimum bases for its first year of operation. After fully analyzing previous consultations with members of the advisory board and technical committee of the Fund, composed of names that are references in sustainable development and the Amazon, and promoting consultations with several organizations, including other funds in operation, the constructive method was defined that enabled the elaboration of a portfolio of actions, partnerships and relevant results for 2021. From the synthesis of all the listening, the central issues for the formulation of the Fund were identified and the guidelines for its operationalization were presented. From this plan, it was possible to design a structuring proposal containing purpose, objectives, results, criteria for the selection of projects and financing of its activities. Afterwards, proposals were made for the internal structuring of the Fund and the allocation of financial resources for the first year of operation.
The work also made it possible to deepen the definition of the three pillars of the JBS Fund for the Amazon: conservation and sustainable use of the forest; improving the quality of life of the population residing there; and technological and scientific development. The first pillar aims to promote forest restoration, remediation and conservation in the Amazon Biome; increase the productivity of areas already explored; and promote the implementation of agroecological systems (focusing on production management with environmental conservation, biodiversity, biological cycles and quality of life). The second pillar aims to encourage and promote programs of bioeconomy for the development of communities; promote actions that generate social inclusion and increase income for local communities; and develop education and local health. The third pillar, in turn, aims to invest in applied science to support sustainable development and engage the productive sectors
(focusing on business generation); and accelerate the use of innovative technologies combining wealth generation with respect for the environment.
For the launch of the Fund, the company JBS made a contribution of R$ 250 million in order to guarantee the start of activities and implementation of initiatives approved in its first five years. It is also important to remember that this is just the first stage of a larger plan by the company that includes actions against climate change and that also provides for internal movements to ensure that all cattle suppliers, including indirect ones, work in compliance with environmental laws and within of best sustainability practices.