Proposed Road Link Threatened Forest Conservation Goals
New research suggests infrastructure projects could undermine carbon credit programs in Brazil.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Organic Food
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Should governments prioritize new road infrastructure projects over existing forest conservation and climate commitments?
A recent report warns that a proposed road extension between Mancio Lima, Brazil, and Pucallpa, Peru, could trigger significant deforestation. This development threatens to complicate the state of Acre's ongoing forest conservation and carbon credit commitments.
Why it matters
Proposed infrastructure development may undermine the integrity of jurisdictional REDD+ carbon credit goals, which are vital for supporting local forest communities. Ensuring the permanence of these protected areas is essential for the viability of international emission reduction agreements.
Researchers used deforestation rates from the existing Interoceanic Highway to model impact, estimating 133,800 hectares of loss over 20 years for the Pucallpa link. The report projects that combined infrastructure plans in Acre could result in 932,100 hectares of deforestation over ten years.
The players
Acre
A Brazilian state actively participating in jurisdictional REDD+ carbon credit programs to preserve its rainforests.
Standard Chartered
A global financial institution involved in a 2025 carbon credit presale agreement with the state of Acre.
The details
The proposed road extension would lengthen the BR-364, potentially opening previously inaccessible forest areas to development. By applying historical deforestation data from the Interoceanic Highway to a 50-kilometer buffer zone around the proposed routes, the report highlights the high risk to forest cover. This landscape-level change complicates Acre's ability to issue the 115.6 million tonnes of ART TREES credits currently projected between 2023 and 2027.
Timeline
2023-2027 represents the projection period for ART TREES credit issuance.
A 2025 carbon credit presale agreement was secured by the state.
Acre submitted its registration and monitoring reports in March 2026.
The NGO report was published on September 30, 2026.
Health Landscape
The report sits in the context of global efforts to standardize carbon accounting through the ART TREES standard. It illustrates the ongoing challenge of balancing regional economic development with the stringent requirements needed to maintain certified forest conservation status.
These developments affect how global carbon markets function, which influences the sustainability of food and fiber supply chains connected to forest regions. Readers interested in the origin of their products should look for certified sustainable sourcing that accounts for land-use impact.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects often carry hidden environmental costs that can disrupt established conservation programs. Tracking how local governments manage land-use decisions can provide insight into the reliability of long-term sustainability claims.
Further reading
Learn more about the environmental implications of land use in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Carbon Pulse.
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Should governments prioritize new road infrastructure projects over existing forest conservation and climate commitments?
