Mato Grosso extends native biomass ban to 2035 and sets new reforestation targets

The state government of Mato Grosso signed a new Environmental Commitment Agreement on June 10, extending the deadline for eliminating native vegetation as a source of industrial biomass to 2035. Existing large‑scale biomass users, such as corn‑ethanol plants, must reduce native biomass use to 40 % by 2034 and cease it entirely the following year. The agreement also introduces expanded reforestation goals, including planting at least 700,000 hectares of cultivated forest by 2040 and increasing sustainably managed forest areas to a minimum of 6.5 million hectares over the same period. New and expanding industrial projects will be required to source biomass exclusively from planted or sustainably managed forests. The state will issue a regulating decree within 30 days, followed by supplemental rules from the Agriculture Secretariat within 60 days, and will notify affected companies within 90 days.