• Inter IKEA commits US$108 million (€100 million) to global forest-based carbon removal, launching its first project in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest biome.
• The partnership with BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group will restore and manage 4,000 hectares of degraded land.
• The initiative will generate measurable carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Forest Restoration as a Core Climate Strategy

Inter IKEA Group has launched a large-scale forest investment project in Brazil with BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (TIG), part of its €100 million (US$108 million) commitment to carbon removal and long-term climate action. The initiative aims to restore and sustainably manage degraded and low-productive land within the Atlantic Forest biome, one of the planet’s most threatened ecosystems.

The project encompasses approximately 4,000 hectares across the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina. It will combine conservation, restoration, and commercial forestry to demonstrate how reforestation and sustainable land management can co-exist and generate environmental and economic value.

A Model for Scalable Carbon Removal

Inter IKEA’s investment reflects growing corporate recognition that nature-based carbon solutions are essential for meeting global net zero goals. The company intends to use the Brazil project as a scalable model that could inform future climate-positive investments.

“In IKEA, we recognise our responsibility as a major user of wood and strive to lead by example in responsible forest management,” said Ulf Johansson, Global Head of Raw Materials for Inter IKEA Group. “Our goal is to demonstrate that productive forestry, conservation, and restoration not only can coexist, but can thrive together.”

By combining reforestation with improved land management and conservation practices, the project will store carbon in both biomass and soil while maintaining a productive forestry component that supports local economies.

Strategic Partnership with BTG Pactual

BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group, one of the world’s largest timberland managers, will lead on-the-ground implementation. The firm brings experience in sustainable forestry, carbon accounting, and ecosystem restoration across Latin America.

“We appreciate Inter IKEA Group for taking meaningful action to enhance the sustainability of its supply chain by investing in the protection, restoration, and responsible management of forests in this critical biome,” said Gerrity Lansing, Head of BTG Pactual TIG. “IKEA is showing the kind of leadership we need much more of, and we’re proud to partner on creating lasting outcomes for people, nature, and climate.”

The collaboration integrates climate mitigation with biodiversity and community objectives — aligning with global frameworks such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Paris Agreement’s Article 6 on carbon markets.

Protecting One of Brazil’s Most Endangered Biomes

Once covering over 1.3 million square kilometres, Brazil’s Atlantic Forest has been reduced to roughly 13% of its original extent. The new project will protect and restore portions of this landscape, reforesting degraded pastureland while managing other parcels as productive pine plantations certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.

Pine farms will generate continuous local employment and raw material production while providing funding streams for restoration and conservation. Independent verification will track carbon sequestration, biodiversity health, water quality, and soil stability, ensuring transparency and credibility in reported outcomes.

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Governance and Community Oversight

An independent advisory panel composed of experts from international and local NGOs, including Apremavi, will oversee impact measurement and community engagement. The panel will help shape scientific partnerships, establish biodiversity baselines, and assess social outcomes for nearby communities.

“The impacts of climate change are impossible to ignore, with extreme events growing stronger and more frequent every day,” said Miriam Prochnow, Co-Founder of Apremavi. “We are pleased to collaborate with IKEA on this project, especially given its focus on conserving biodiversity and water resources.”

Apremavi, founded in 1987, has become one of Brazil’s most prominent environmental NGOs, focused on restoration and sustainability in the Atlantic Rainforest and other biomes.

Corporate Climate Targets and Global Context

Inter IKEA has set a target to halve absolute greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2030 from a 2016 baseline and to reach net zero by 2050. Alongside emissions reductions, the company is scaling investments in natural carbon sinks and sustainable material sourcing.

For investors and policy leaders, the initiative demonstrates how private capital can integrate carbon finance, ecological restoration, and social development within a single landscape strategy. As voluntary carbon markets mature and corporate accountability tightens, projects like this highlight the operational and governance frameworks necessary to translate climate ambition into verified impact.

By linking carbon storage with rural livelihoods and ecosystem recovery, IKEA’s Brazil initiative illustrates how forest investments can serve as both climate solutions and economic stabilisers in vulnerable regions — offering a replicable pathway for corporate climate action aligned with global sustainability goals.

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