EnvironPact has taken another step forward in its work in the marine and coastal sector by signing a contract to implement a marine spatial plan for Brazil’s Southeast region. The initiative will be conducted by the Blue Southeast Consortium (“Consórcio Sudeste Azul”), in partnership with university and think tank Fundação Getulio Vargas. The contract was signed at a ceremony hosted by the Brazilian Navy in Rio de Janeiro.
Adriano Ranieri, EnvironPact’s CEO, and Ana Lyra, the company’s sustainability director, signed the contract alongside FGV representatives. The ceremony was also attended by Jose Luis Pizzorno, EnvironPact’s new business manager; Maurício Hernández, environment manager; and Renata Lyra Nagae, commercial coordinator.
“The signing of this contract is an important achievement for EnvironPact, reflecting our long-standing commitment to projects with a national impact on the sea and allowing us to utilize some of the knowledge we have accumulated along the way. It is a pleasure to participate in the construction of a project that will leave a legacy for the country,” said Ranieri, who is also managing director of OceanPact’s Services Segment.
Funded by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the Southeast Brazil Marine Spatial Plan will guide actions aimed at sustainably using marine areas off the coast of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Studies will also look at strategic locations such as the Rio Grande Rise (an underwater plateau) and the Vitória-Trindade chain (made up of underwater mountains and volcanic islands).
Under this contract, the Blue Southeast Consortium will be responsible for the technical and scientific studies that will form the basis for implementing the marine spatial plan in an area that represents 42% of the “Blue Amazon.” Currently, sea-related activities generate almost 20% of Brazil’s GDP. The plan aims to structure these activities on an ecosystem-based approach, balancing development, conservation and governance.
During the signing ceremony, BNDES announced that the Blue North Consortium (“Consórcio Norte Azul”), composed of EnvironPact, FGV and Codex, had been awarded another contract to develop a marine spatial plan for Brazil’s North region.
By participating in both the Southeast and North marine spatial plans, EnvironPact is solidifying its leadership in marine and coastal planning in Brazil. This work contributes to the commitments the Brazilian government made at the UN Ocean Conference, including the goal of creating a sustainable model for ocean territories by 2030.
📸 Photos: BNDES, André Telles