Portfólio
Temporarily suspended services due to institutional integration of WaKa Brasil leading team member to FAO Representation in Mozambique (2018 - 2021)
Even though this experience is not a direct hiring of the company WaKa Brasil, it is worth highlighting the important experience of our team's leading consultant, who coordinated the Forestry Investment Project in Mozambique for FAO, supporting the country's forestry administration in the implementation of far-reaching reforms of the forestry sector.
Tender agent services for conservation and rural development projects - Asia and South America (2017)
The first actions of WaKa Brazil team for development banks were made possible through the mediation of the WaKa group headquarters for assistance in bidding processes for conservation and rural development projects in Asian and South American. The peculiar institutional procedures for selecting executing companies through competitive public tendering require knowledge acquired in specific training and qualifications, as well as technical competency an impeccable ethical and arbitrary posture. The preparation of public tendering is generally a task assisted by local institutions. Assessments are transparently documented and decisions are made carefully and jointly with the parties involved in the process. The services formed a unique learning experience for understanding the institutional processes in favor of contracting companies to prepare feasibility studies.
Advisory for strengthening the national coordination of the forest restoration program and capacity building - Lebanon (2016 - 2017)
The first hiring of the Brazilian WaKa team by the United Nations institution FAO, after various support given to the headquarters of the WaKa group in similar contracts, was the consultancy signed with the FAO Regional Representation in Egypt, to be carried out in Lebanon. The consultancy provided support for institutional preparations for the integration of refugees from the conflict in Syria to forest restoration efforts in the country. In order to learn about the local state of the art on the subject and the respective experiences, advances and infrastructure, it was possible for us to travel around the country getting to know its forest peculiarities. We come across the last five hectares of ancient Lebanese cedars, survivors of the eras of environmental devastation and extensive pasture practices with goats, which transformed the mountainous regions of the country into an almost desert. The field trips made it possible to inspect 6 nurseries (3 public and 3 private), 10 main reforestation regions with more than 20 different planting units and more than 15 visits to established forest areas. Technical manuals were developed to improve the production of seedlings and make it more sustainable, in addition to choosing and applying appropriate techniques for reforestation and forest restoration. The hiring followed with another visit to the country to carry out operational training and face-to-face workshops for state employees. This experience in Lebanon broadened our knowledge of working in Mediterranean forest areas, which we already knew from previous personal hires in Portugal, Spain and the south of France.
Safeguards for forest ecosystem functions; Identification of preservation areas and registration of properties in the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) - Southern States/Brazil (2015 - 2018)
Since the implementation of the Rural Environmental Registry (Cadastro Ambiental Rural - CAR) and the initiation of campaigns for rural property registrations, up to the recently launched foundational system, and the environmental regularization process according to the 2012 Forest Code, WaKa has supported small and medium-sized rural producers in the Southern states of Brazil to complete this task. On-site inspections were always carried out, meticulously identifying property boundaries, legal frameworks, and all necessary forest, water, and topographic characteristics for conducting the respective registrations. The registrations were meticulously prepared with technical responsibility certification (ART) for the services provided. Our practical experience with CAR and its applications also enabled us to contribute to the development of similar systems in other countries. The experience gained through CAR and its applications has also allowed us to contribute to the analysis of investment support for federal government initiatives related to forest regularization processes in Brazil.
Analysis and revision of the Forestry Inventory, component of the UC Management Plan – licensing and validation process - FLONA Chapecó, Santa Catarina/Brazil (2013)
The management plan for FLONA Chapecó, prepared by a company contracted for this purpose, was not accepted by ICMBio due to technical issues related to the forest inventory. So we had the pleasure of contributing through a subcontract with an evaluation of this document, review of all calculations, analysis of the results and exhaustive modeling of the basis of the management plan of this important UC in the State of Santa Catarina. Our contribution brought about the technical acceptance of this essential FLONA management tool. The execution of the PM generally represents a much greater challenge than its elaboration.
Feasibility study for the implementation of the Forestry Information System (2013)
Forest Information Systems (SIFs) have evolved exponentially over the last two decades, taking over with artificial intelligence a large contingent of tasks linked to the planning and monitoring of forestry operations. We were part of this evolutionary process and knowing the basis of SIFs and their multiple functions. This study focused on a renewal of the existing modules in the company's management, with extensions offered by a technology developed in Germany, and applied in forest management in some states in Germany. In previous hiring functions, we had already known this type of system and its development, as well as the application and interfaces with financial systems. At the time, we could not even imagine that the experience would culminate years later in managing the implementation of a Forestry Information System for the Ministry of the Environment in Mozambique, financed by the World Bank and executed by FAO. Today, we know in depth the universe of management and analysis of satellite images (GFOI), their interconnections with REDD+ projects, chain of custody traceability systems, management of licenses and environmental registrations, forestry financial administration and operational and environmental monitoring several.
Interim General Forestry Management in forest plantation ventures – 88,000 ha – Forestry Company (TIMO) - Roraima/Brazil (2011 – 2012)
The management of a large forestry company was offered to our care in the process of leaving the former forestry general manager. During the recruitment process, which lasted approximately a year and a half, we assumed the interim general management of the enterprise. This period allowed the prioritization of specific operations under our arbitration, following the forest management plan with some adjustments, successfully carrying out large-scale forestry operations. The activities were not new for our team, since we were already part of the operating board of a large enterprise, as well as directing forest planning departments in contracts prior to our performance as WaKa. The support of colleagues at the headquarters of the WaKa group, who have worked in forestry in Germany, as well as numerous research projects in other continents, has always been essential in solving problems. We learn to face everything with a spirit of challenge and a continuous process. It should also be highlighted the great respect of the company's employees for our task, and the mutual collaboration of these excellent professionals, without whose support such a positive result would not be possible.
Assistance in the planning process of sawmills; Controlled wood and risk assessment - Rondônia/Brazil (2011)
The attraction of investors in the acquisition of wood from the suppression of the area of a large hydroelectric plant led our team to the state of Rondônia. The evaluation (qualitative and quantitative) also included a feasibility study for the construction of a sawmill. It was possible to inspect the suppression area, wood yards, consult the State Secretariat about the licensing of sawmills and the current situation of the wood custody chain at that time. Unfortunately, the evaluation of the volume and mixture of species without sufficient quality resulted in an unfavorable economic evaluation. In addition, the illegality of the informal timber sector, did not allow to envisage another sawmill enterprise for this region. The mission allowed us to reflect on the energy sector and its impacts, as we got to know one of the largest enterprises in the state of Rondônia.
Consultancy on biomass export for Biodiesel CPD tests to the European Union - Amazonas/Brazil (2011)
Exercise of forest engineering attributions includes the chain of custody of wood and non-timber forest products. The headquarters of the WaKa group in Europe was involved in the construction of an experimental plant for a synthetic biodiesel plant (3rd Generation), offering technologies that allow the use of inputs with a high carbon content as raw material. Wood chips were considered one of the perfect ingredients. In favor of feasibility studies for investments in this type of production, the potential for using different materials was analyzed, which required support in the export of wood chips (use of antlers) and logistical issues, involving the preparation of materials and their dispatch to the port, compliance with health requirements, and monitoring of inspection processes. We already had deep knowledge in the use of the DOF (Forest Origin Document) system and wood traceability in native forest management projects.
Consulting services in the implementation of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards for certification of the chain of custody in Forest Management and industry - Roraima/Brazil (2010)
Preparing a wood processing industry for chain of custody certification is a process that structurally interferes with the organization of production lines. The challenge increases with the size of the industrial unit, and even more so when the unit integrates wood processing from multiple sources, both from certified and non-certified areas. This service was provided to an industry that processed approximately 30,000 m3 per year. In order to ensure traceability from the origin of the products, that is, from the forest, the production lines needed to be mapped and monitored in all their phases, both in transport logistics, storage in the yards, as well as in splitting wood, drying, processing , dispatch of final products and their distribution to markets. The monitoring systems were adjusted to the requirements of the FSC Green Seal principles. Chain of custody certification also includes an analysis of the unit's safety conditions and socio-environmental impacts. The service was successfully performed, allowing the enterprise to successfully audit and obtain the FSC CoC chain of custody certificate.
Consultancy on the implementation of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards for group certification - Roraima/Brazil (2010)
The adaptation services to the forest certification norms understand the anticipated preparation for audits by the accredited companies for issuing the certificates. There are several ways to resolve non-conformities of companies that are on the way to certification. The experience lived in certification processes in several companies allowed our team to assimilate different methods that ensure issues of environmental, economic and social sustainability in forest enterprises. We also participate in specific training offered by accredited certifiers. We were happy to be able to accompany the company over the course of five years in the quest to maintain the certificate, always improving the management of forest management and socio-environmental issues, achieving success in successive FSC audits.
Other challenges with the FSC green label were consulting with a large number of landowners, seeking group certification. This form of certification can represent great benefits for the members of the group, since the investments in managing the certificate of this group are shared. The form requires a certain commitment from the members, so as not to result in the loss of the certificate by the entire group, due to negligence of the FSC principles. A group support and control system therefore represents an ongoing task.
Analysis and evaluation of a complex of native forests with a large extension (approximately 1 million ha) - States of the Amazon/Brazil (2009)
The service performed for a group of European investors, whose interest was aroused by a portfolio of investments in native forests, served to assess the legal, economic and socio-environmental security of this intended object of forestry investment. The result of the evaluation resulted in an unfavorable recommendation, as it identified several irregularities linked to the territory. Our experience gained in this service confirmed the importance of a well-founded assessment and an essential local study to identify potential socio-environmental conflicts. The extension of the area challenged our company in logistical terms.
Analysis of forest management and valuation of forest assets - Panama (2009)
The service performed for a group of investors included an assessment of forestry management carried out by a local company in teak forest stands. The valuation of biological assets included forest inventories, analysis of productivity models, prospecting for capitalization and assessment of health risks. At that time, Panama was experiencing an awakening of investor interest in teak plantations. Services were extended to development of the management project after the customer had acquiredthe new areas. The southern region of Panama, in the province of Darién, aroused our interest by harboring fragments of native forests with the presence of ancient individuals of Cavanillesia arborea, in this region with some resemblance to the baobabs of Madagascar.
Study of agricultural and forestry use and suitability for rural properties - Roraima/Brazil (2009)
The study carried out for a group of investors interested in modernizing and diversifying their rural properties focused on analysis of agricultural and forestry use and aptitude, analyzing legal, environmental, socio-environmental issues, as well as local infrastructure and productive potential of different cultures. The regional mapping had, among others, as its guiding base the Ecological Economic Zoning of the State of Roraima. Among several crops, productive potentials were identified, with emphasis on cotton. The use of plantations was discarded due to sociocultural impacts and low economic potential of production.