This document discusses the challenges and opportunities of implementing REDD+ in São Felix do Xingu, Brazil. São Felix do Xingu has high deforestation rates, with cattle ranching and illegal logging as key drivers. To address this, a Pact to End Illegal Deforestation was created between producers, industries, NGOs and governments. A Rural Environmental Registry was also established to register land ownership and use. These efforts led to an 79.3% reduction in deforestation between 1999-2013. However, command and control alone is not enough - positive incentives for smallholders through alternative livelihoods like cocoa farming are also needed. Major ongoing challenges include consolidating multistakeholder participation and governance, and

1. Challenges and
Opportunities of
implementing REDD+
at São Felix do
Xingu/PA - Brazil
Marcio Sztutman
Conservation Manager - Amazon
The Nature Conservancy
msztutman@tnc.org

2. São Felix do Xingu (SFX)

3. Why SFX?
• Scale (8.4 MM
ha)
• Stakeholders
diversity
• Deforestation
rates (1.7%/yr
between 01–07)
• Forests
remaining (6
MM ha)

4. SFX deforestation and degradation drivers
• Cattle ranching
• Illegal appropriation
of public lands
• Illegal logging
• Inadequate
governance
• In 2008 was included
in the black list

5. TNC invited to SFX in 2009

6. A first, fundamental step: a Pact to End Ilegal
Deforestation
• Producers associations
• Meet industries
• NGOs
• Municipal and State governments
• Creation of a Commission of the Pact, composed of
22 institutions

7. Strategies vs. Land Tenure Type

8. A second, fundamental step: Rural
Environmental Registry (CAR)

9. CAR evolution in SFX
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
33,039 308,991
767,548
1,481,732
2,375,714
3,234,031
3,864,088
5
145
779
1,943
3,171
5,786
7,083
10,000
1,000
100
10
1
0
Até 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
4,500,000
4,000,000
3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
0
CAR (ha) Properties with CAR
CAR
Properties with CAR

10. Deforestation response
820 820
1693
1264
1320
1082
1405
762
878
761
442
354
140 169
223
2000
1600
1200
800
400
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Deforestation (km2/year)
Deforestation in São Felix do Xingu Municipality
1999-2008 mean deforestation rate (1080 km2/yr)
79,3% deforestation reduction

11. But command and control isn´t enough –
positive incentives are needed

12. But command and control isn´t enough –
positive incentives are needed
Cocoa: an alternative for smallholders
Objective: Promote cocoa agroforestry crops as an alternative to cattle ranching
activities for small landholders - income generation and forest restoration of old pastures

13. Indigenous Lands Component
• Two Lands: Apiterewa and Trincheira Bacajá
• Territorial and Environmental Management Plans,
after Brazil´s National Policy for ILs Management
• Mapping and zonning
• Patrolling
• Income generation and natural resource management
projets
• Management agreements with nearby private lands
• Good business practices in relation to IPs

14. Major challenges
• Consolidate multistakeholder approach – mainly
indigenous participation
• Social deforestation (49% of total in 2013)
• Consolidate governance: regulation, local capacities
• Demonstrate efficiency of improved ag & ranching
practices towards forest conservation
• Land titling of private properties & rural credit access
• Improve technical assistance at scale
• Solve envirnmental liabilities through compensation and
large scale restoration

15. Thank you
Marcio Sztutman
Conservation Manager - Amazon
The Nature Conservancy
msztutman@tnc.org