Restore biodiversity through rubber cultivation

Sociedade Michelin de Participações Industria e Comércio Ltda is a Brazilian company based in Rio de Janeiro, primarily engaged in the tire manufacturing industry, it manufactures and markets tires for various vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and trucks.

The adopting company operates in regions where natural rubber production intersects with areas of high ecological value. The main decarbonization challenges include land degradation, biodiversity loss, and the need to balance raw material production with environmental stewardship. To address these challenges, the company developed an integrated strategy combining forest conservation, sustainable cultivation, and community engagement to preserve ecosystems while maintaining supply resilience.

Location: Brazil

The initiative consists of establishing and managing a 3,950-hectare ecological reserve designed to demonstrate sustainable natural rubber cultivation aligned with biodiversity restoration. The approach integrates production and conservation in complementary geographic areas.

Activities are structured into six programs:

• Protection of remaining forest areas

• Restoration of degraded land

• Research conducted with national and international academic partners

• Environmental education for local communities and stakeholders

• Female leadership programs

• Ecotourism to promote awareness

The initiative also connects fragmented ecosystems through vegetation corridors and mobilizes local partnerships to restore degraded areas.

Sustainability Impact

Climate

The initiative indirectly contributes to reducing Scope 3 emissions (Category 1: Purchased Goods and Services; Category 6: Business Travel; and as an enabler of land-use–related emissions reductions). The restoration of 310 hectares with native species and the protection of 3,950 hectares help increase carbon sequestration potential. While specific GHG reductions are not quantified, the preservation and recovery of native forest provide long-term enabling climate benefits.

Nature

The initiative protects Atlantic Forest ecosystems containing 2,500 recorded species, including 39 newly identified by science. Restoration activities include planting over 114,000 trees from 348 native species and recovering 310 hectares of degraded land. Wildlife corridors reconnect fragmented habitats, strengthening ecological resilience and enhancing regional biodiversity.

Social

Programs in environmental education, women’s leadership, and ecotourism strengthen community engagement and create opportunities for local residents. Knowledge-sharing initiatives increase environmental awareness, support livelihoods, and promote sustainable land management practices.

Business Impact

Benefits

• Strengthened supply chain resilience for natural rubber

• Reduced long-term land-use risks

• Improved relationships with local communities

• Enhanced risk management around biodiversity and climate impacts

• Support for sustainability reporting and global regulatory compliance

• Increased scientific knowledge supporting operational decisions

Costs

Costs include land management, restoration activities, research partnerships, community programs, and infrastructure required for conservation. Costs vary based on forest conditions, restoration intensity, and ongoing monitoring needs. Long-term partnerships and phased restoration planning help reduce operating expenses while maximizing ecological benefits.

Typical Business Profile

Most relevant for companies that:

• Operate in natural resource–based sectors

• Depend on land-intensive supply chains

• Work in biodiversity hotspots

• Have medium to advanced sustainability maturity

• Seek nature-positive models in tropical regions

Approach

1. Define conservation and production areas to balance economic and environmental goals

2. Establish or acquire land requiring conservation or restoration

3. Develop program pillars such as protection, restoration, research, education, and community engagement

4. Partner with scientific institutions to design research and monitoring programs

5. Implement restoration actions including native species planting and habitat connectivity measures

6. Engage local communities through education, leadership programs, and ecotourism

7. Monitor biodiversity indicators, forest recovery, and program outcomes

8. Share results internationally to support replication across regions

Stakeholders Involved

• Project Leads: Environmental management and sustainability teams

• Internal Functions: Operations, procurement, corporate social responsibility

• Main Providers: Research institutions, nursery suppliers, environmental consultants

• Other Stakeholders: Local communities, NGOs, universities, ecotourism partners

Key Parameters to Consider

• The approach is a mature, long-term conservation practice

• Implementation spans several years, with ongoing monitoring

• Forest restoration can take decades to fully mature

• Requires ecological expertise and land availability

• Influenced by local environmental regulations

• Opportunities for funding through conservation incentives or environmental programs

Implementation and Operations Tips

• Early partnership building with scientific bodies ensures methodological credibility

• Phased restoration lowers upfront cost and operational complexity

• Community engagement is critical to long-term success

• Continuous biodiversity monitoring helps optimize restoration strategies

• Clear communication of results supports internal buy-in and global replication