BONITO First Carbon Neutral Ecotourism destination of the world
3
CONSECUTIVE YEARS CERTIFIED
100%
SCOPE 1 & 2 EMISSIONS OFFSET
20+
YEARS OF SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE BASELINE
GD
GLASGOW DECLARATION SIGNATORY
Overview
Bonito is a world-class ecotourism destination in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, resting atop the Guarani Aquifer — the second largest freshwater source on Earth. Renowned for its crystal-clear rivers, caves, and biodiversity, Bonito built its tourism model on strict environmental regulation long before climate certification existed. Working with Green Initiative, the destination achieved Carbon Neutral certification and became a benchmark case for how tourism destinations can lead climate action at a systemic level.
Challenge
Bonito needed a rigorous, internationally credible certification framework to validate its decades of environmental stewardship — and to translate that credibility into a competitive market positioning that could attract premium, sustainability-conscious travelers and institutional recognition.
GI's Approach
Green Initiative deployed its Climate Certification methodology — measuring Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across the destination's operational footprint, establishing a verified baseline, designing an offset strategy anchored in local conservation, and structuring a multi-year certification roadmap aligned with the Glasgow Declaration for Tourism and Climate.
Carbon Footprint — Key Findings
Carbon Neutral
Certified for 3 consecutive years — the first destination of its kind in South America to achieve this milestone
COP28
Case presented at COP28 in Dubai as a model for destination-level climate action under the Glasgow Declaration
Systemic
Certification covers the full destination ecosystem — accommodations, tour operators, and destination management
Replicable
Framework now serves as a reference model for other Brazilian ecotourism destinations pursuing certification
"“Bonito has always led by example on environmental management. Working with Green Initiative gave us scientific rigor and international credibility to demonstrate that leadership to the world""
GI Services Deployed
