New Carbon Removal Projects Restore Brazilian Pasture
Google and McKinsey will purchase carbon credits to support the restoration of 8,700 hectares of land in Brazil.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Organic Food
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Google and McKinsey have entered into 10-year offtake agreements with the firm Working Trees to purchase 320,000 carbon removal credits. The initiative supports the restoration of 8,700 hectares of degraded pastureland in Brazil through the integration of trees into cattle grazing operations.
Why it matters
These projects utilize silvopasture to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide while simultaneously improving soil health and agricultural productivity. This effort is part of a broader push to scale nature-based climate solutions that address long-term environmental and food system sustainability.
This project contract covers 8,700 hectares of restoration within a larger 50,000-hectare area in Brazil, contributing toward a coalition goal of 20 million tons of carbon removal by 2030. Global projections suggest that widespread silvopasture adoption could remove 300 million to 1 billion metric tons of CO2 annually.
The players
Working Trees
A San Francisco-based firm founded in 2021 that specializes in using silvopasture techniques to generate carbon removal credits.
A global technology company that invests in environmental sustainability projects as part of its carbon neutral and climate commitments.
McKinsey
A global management consulting firm that engages in sustainability research and participates in initiatives to scale carbon removal markets.
Symbiosis Coalition
A consortium launched in 2024 to accelerate the development and procurement of high-quality nature-based carbon removal credits.
The details
Working Trees implements silvopasture by planting rows of native and commercial timber species, such as African Mahogany and Teak, directly into existing cattle pastures. This strategy integrates tree cover with grazing lands to promote carbon sequestration while maintaining livestock operations. By providing long-term revenue to landowners, the project aims to ensure the ongoing maintenance of these restored ecosystems.
Timeline
Working Trees was founded in 2021.
The Symbiosis Coalition launched in 2024.
The purchase agreement was announced on October 20, 2026.
Carbon credit purchases are scheduled for the 2026-2036 period.
The Symbiosis Coalition set a 2030 deadline for its 20 million ton commitment.
Health Landscape
This development follows the procurement targets established by the Symbiosis Coalition, which aims to contract 20 million tons of carbon credits by 2030. The project represents a broader trend of corporate investment in nature-based sequestration to address global atmospheric CO2 levels.
While these large-scale carbon projects primarily affect global climate outcomes, the focus on soil health and agricultural productivity is closely linked to the long-term sustainability of the food supply. You can track how these nature-based investments shape the availability and environmental footprint of the goods you choose.
The takeaway
Silvopasture offers a scalable method to store carbon while keeping land productive for agriculture. Look for more initiatives that connect soil restoration efforts with the long-term goal of improving global ecosystem health.
Further reading
Learn more about sustainable farming and land-use practices in our Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that private carbon-removal projects on farmland effectively address global climate goals?
