By Andrea Hargraves 
According to data from the System for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals (SEEG), agriculture is the second largest carbon emitter in Brazil, accounting for 26.6% of total emissions (in millions of tons). Moreover, McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm, estimates in 2022 that Brazil has 15% of the world’s potential for natural carbon sequestration. This points to the development of the global carbon credit market, which is expected to grow from $1 billion today to as much as $50 billion by 2030. In this context of expanding carbon markets, startups such as Vanca Climate Technologies stand out. Combining science, computing and artificial intelligence to create sustainable solutions for businesses.
Led by partners Clarissa De Souza, Camila Balbinot, Mauricio Kruger, and Alessandro Panasolo, Vanca is one of the first companies committed to providing innovative tools and services to help the agribusiness and industrial sectors achieve their sustainability goals, whether adapting to new federal standards or reducing carbon emissions.
“Brazil has a fundamental role to play in climate neutrality, and agribusiness and agribusiness play a central role in this mission, as they are the sectors that contribute the most to carbon emissions and are also the most affected by their impact. In this context, Vanca is committed to providing innovative tools and services to help the sector achieve its sustainability goals,” explains environmental engineer and company partner, Clarissa Souza.
Transforming climate challenges into sustainable opportunities
In the agricultural sector, an average of 617.2 million tons of carbon are produced annually, according to SEEG data, referring to 2022. In this scenario, understanding the climate impact is fundamental to the success of any company. “The world is undergoing a major transformation as companies and governments commit to climate neutrality and reduce carbon emissions,” says Alessandro Panasolo.
“Vanka was founded to be a catalyst that turns climate challenges into sustainable opportunities. Through numerous scientific studies and the use of artificial intelligence, we seek to find transparent and reliable climate neutrality solutions that aim to protect assets, investments and, above all, people,” he says.
To achieve this, one of the company’s pillars is to provide services that help other companies understand their climate opportunities, from small farmers to large agricultural companies, especially when it comes to carbon neutrality. “Defining your climate strategy is a reality that every company faces. Understanding and acting on your carbon footprint is crucial for survival and sustainable growth. Vanca makes it easy for companies to not only understand their carbon footprint, but also take concrete steps towards climate neutrality,” explains Clarissa.
Private risk assessment system
Implementing technological strategies is essential to reduce the effects of global warming and ensure the long-term sustainability of companies. Among the solutions, Clarissa highlights the “Forest Risk Assessment System for Green Investments,” an approach created by Vanca to assess and mitigate the risks associated with investments in forest projects.
“Using risk assessment techniques and forestry-specific data, the system identifies a range of potential risks such as deforestation, land conflicts and extreme weather events, enabling investors and companies to take proactive steps to mitigate these risks. In addition, by enhancing transparency and accountability, the system encourages sustainable and responsible practices in the forestry sector, contributing to forest conservation and sustainable economic development for local communities.”
Another solution is the Fanca Carbon Score, a measure that assesses the environmental performance of any entity, whether a company, industry, agricultural business or rural property, in terms of carbon emissions and their impact on climate change.
“This measure assigns a score that reflects the amount of carbon emissions produced compared to a baseline or reference standard. The lower the score, the lower the environmental impact in terms of carbon emissions. The carbon score can be calculated using a variety of methods, including direct and indirect emissions data, the use of renewable energy, sustainable agricultural practices, carbon sequestration through reforestation or conservation of natural areas and organizations to assess and improve their environmental performance, which helps reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change,” explains the engineer.
Here comes GazzSummit Agrotechs
Hey Gassomet Agrotechs It is a pioneering initiative by GazzConecta to discuss the innovation scenario in one of the most relevant sectors in the country. The event will be held on August 15 with the aim of connecting and enhancing knowledge to generate new businesses, discussing problems and challenges, as well as proposing solutions for the sector.