Novo Nordisk & re.green Restore 500 Hectares of Amazon

One of the planet's most vital ecosystems is getting a second chance, thanks to an unlikely partnership between a healthcare company and environmental innovators.

Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare leader, has teamed up with re.green, winner of the prestigious Earthshot Prize, to restore approximately 500 hectares of degraded Amazon rainforest in Paragominas, Brazil. The ambitious 20-year project launches this year in the state of Pará, where decades of land use have left forests struggling.

The restoration approach combines natural regeneration with active planting of native Amazon tree species. Over two decades, the project expects to generate around 87,000 carbon removal credits by capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it in restored forest ecosystems.

But this isn't just about carbon. The initiative will create habitats for native wildlife, improve local water resources, and support biodiversity recovery in one of Earth's most threatened ecosystems.

"Large-scale restoration of our tropical forests depends on collaboration among stakeholders committed to the climate agenda," says Thiago Picolo, CEO of re.green. "Our partnership with Novo Nordisk demonstrates how the private sector can make a tangible contribution to restoring landscapes in regions like the Amazon."

The project includes sustainable management of native timber across up to 30% of the restored area, balancing conservation with economic value. This approach helps ensure the effort remains financially viable for decades to come.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend far beyond trees and carbon. Local communities will gain new economic opportunities through supply chains for native seeds and seedlings.

Advanced remote sensing technology and field assessments will track forest growth throughout the project's lifespan. The carbon credits generated will be certified under science-based standards aligned with the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, with the first issuance expected in 2031.

"Brazil is deeply important to us, not only for the patients we serve here, but because the country is home to ecosystems like the Amazon that are vital for climate stability, water security and biodiversity," says Dorethe Nielsen, Associate Vice President of Environmental Responsibility at Novo Nordisk.

Re.green already operates across 30,000 hectares in four Brazilian states. By 2030, the company plans to restore 230,000 hectares of Atlantic and Amazonian forest. By 2040, that number reaches one million hectares.

The partnership shows how global companies can contribute meaningfully to planetary health while supporting the communities closest to these vital ecosystems.