Green Initiative
Works with organizations seeking to reach a new standard for climate action.
We provide services that help our clients mobilize resources for climate financing, in addition to complying with climate regulations for international trade, improving the efficiency of their operations, reducing costs and adding value to their offer, connecting them with the París Agreement, yand with the United Nationes Sustainable Goals.
United Nations Climate Change
We are one of the 24 companies accredited worldwide by the United Nations to provide advisory services and certify companies under the Carbon Neutral scheme.
Global Footprint Network
The Global Footprint Network and Green Initiative have worked together since 2015 to develop standards for conducting ecological footprint studies worldwide.
Initiatives
It´s 4 steps
To achieve carbon neutrality
Step 1
Calculate
accurately calculates the carbon footprint.
Step 2
Reduce
achieves neutrality by offsetting and reducing emissions.
Step 3
Certify
certify your climate performance and add value to your brand and operations.
Step 4
Communicate
communicate to the world your commitment to responsible climate action.
Obervatory
of Climate Action
Building High-Integrity MRV Infrastructure: From Manual Monitoring to Automated Systems
Financial markets are currently undergoing a fundamental transition from “proceeds-based” financing to “performance-linked” structures. In the early stages of green finance, capital was simply earmarked for specific assets like wind farms or solar arrays. Today, Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs) and Bonds (SLBs) have effectively transformed climate performance into a financial covenant. Defining Performance-Linked Finance Sustainability-Linked Loans are corporate financing tools where the cost of capital, most commonly the interest rate, is directly linked to the borrower’s achievement of predefined Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs). These instruments allow proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes, which distinguishes them from traditional green loans that require funds to be earmarked for specific environmental projects. Similarly, Sustainability-Linked Bonds are debt instruments where the issuer commits to reaching specific sustainability milestones. The financial or structural characteristics of the bond, such as the coupon rate, adjust based on the achievement of these targets. By utilizing margin ratchets, which are interest rate adjustments typically ranging from 5 to 25 basis points, lenders can incentivize corporate behavior directly. However, this evolution creates a technical paradox: for these incentives to be credible, they must be supported by high-fidelity data. If the cost of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) exceeds the financial benefit of the greenium, which is the interest rate discount, the instrument becomes economically unviable for the borrower and a reputational risk for the lender. To solve this, financial institutions must align their MRV investment with the scale and complexity of their portfolios. Why MRV Infrastructure Matters in Modern Finance The global transition to a net-zero economy has triggered a structural shift in climate finance. Performance-based climate finance requires robust monitoring systems to turn climate resilience into a priced managerial obligation. Institutions must move from subjective reporting to objective evidence to maintain market integrity. The current landscape shows that median baseline uncertainty in manual systems can span 171% of the mean estimate. This variability leads to over-crediting or inaccurate margin adjustments. High-integrity infrastructure uses multi-model ensemble approaches and historical geospatial data to reduce this variability. Navigating the MRV Evolution: A Sophistication Roadmap Institutional investment in MRV is generally categorized into three tiers based on asset size and the scale of sustainability-linked operations. Building a high-integrity “truth layer” requires a phased approach that balances capital expenditure (CapEx) against long-term operational savings. Tier 1: Small Institutions (<€1bn assets) Small institutions, typically those with less than €1 billion in sustainability-linked assets, often rely on Tier 1 methodologies. These prioritize minimizing upfront capital expenditure (CapEx) by using IPCC default factors—generic emission values provided for different activities—and manual reporting templates. The primary objective for these players is to reduce the administrative burden while maintaining a basic level of compliance that satisfies regulatory “tick-box” requirements. While accessible, this approach suffers from a significant “audit lag,” where verification cycles take 12 to 24 months, potentially creating “asymmetric information” risks where lenders cannot verify if a performance target was truly met. Tier 2: Mid-Sized Institutions (€1bn–€30bn assets) Mid-sized institutions represent the segment transitioning toward digitalized data ingestion. By utilizing cloud-based databases to aggregate borrower data, these institutions reduce manual reconciliation labor costs, which can otherwise reach $250,000 annually for a moderate portfolio. This phase focuses on efficiency and the standardization of reporting across different sectors to facilitate portfolio-wide risk assessment. By integrating third-party data, such as satellite-derived land-use changes, FIs can establish a more consistent and objective baseline for performance tracking. Tier 3: Large Institutions (>€30bn assets) Large institutions benefit from significant economies of scale by investing in full Digital MRV (dMRV). Although the initial CapEx is higher, the operational expenditure (OpEx) of verification is reduced by an estimated 50–70% through automation and the removal of physical site-visit requirements. For these entities, dMRV is not just a compliance tool but a strategic differentiator that allows them to offer more competitive terms and attract ESG-focused capital at lower costs. This transition enables “Internet Audits” where hardware and software are certified once, allowing for subsequent verifications to be conducted remotely. Institutional Tier Asset Threshold MRV Methodology Financial Result Small <€1bn Tier 1 (IPCC Defaults) Low CapEx / High labor Mid-Sized €1bn–€30bn Digitalized Cloud Reconciliation Savings Large >€30bn Full dMRV / IoT 50–70% OpEx reduction Step-by-Step Implementation of MRV Infrastructure To build a high-integrity truth layer, financial institutions should follow this phased roadmap : Step 1: Map the Current Data Landscape Evaluate existing portfolio management systems and identify where emissions data is missing or estimated. This assessment allows lenders to prioritize sectors with high materiality, such as energy utilities or heavy manufacturing. Step 2: Establish Sophistication Tiers Align investment with portfolio size. Small institutions (<€1bn assets) often rely on Tier 1 methodologies using IPCC default factors. Mid-sized institutions (€1bn–€30bn assets) transition toward digitalized ingestion using cloud databases to reduce manual reconciliation costs. Large institutions (>€30bn assets) invest in full Digital MRV (dMRV) to benefit from economies of scale. Step 3: Identify “DMRV Hotspots” The efficiency frontier targets the highest possible integrity-to-cost ratio rather than achieving 100% accuracy everywhere. Lenders should digitize priority workflow components, such as automated emission reduction (ER) calculations and third-party verification, where manual processes are slow and resource-intensive. Step 4: Deploy Middleware Gateways FIs should deploy a middleware layer to facilitate secure, real-time data ingestion from dMRV platforms rather than replacing legacy core banking systems. API gateways act as translators between IoT sensor data and traditional banking formats. Step 5: Align with Accredited Verifiers The ultimate guarantor of trust is the third-party verifier. For performance-based finance, verifiers must be accredited under international standards such as ISO 14064-3 and ISO 14065. Strategic Pro Tips for Implementation To transition from a “tick-box” compliance exercise to a high-value strategic operation, financial institutions should consider these advanced integration strategies: 1. Hard-wire Internal Carbon Pricing (ICP) Global best practice is moving beyond “token fees” or “shadow prices” used only for theoretical reporting. Effective ICP must be hard-wired into capital expenditure (CapEx) approvals, ensuring no project receives approval unless it remains viable under the internal carbon price. This strategy is essential for firms preparing for compliance landscapes like the Indian Carbon Market
SESC & SENAC Bahia: Historic Expansion of Carbon Neutral Certification
SUSTAINABILITY | CLIMATE ACTION | PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION In January 2026, five units of SESC and SENAC Bahia received or renewed their Carbon Neutral certifications by GI International, consolidating the most comprehensive decarbonization project in the service and professional education sector in Brazil. When, in 2022, the Senac Bahia Casa do Comércio Restaurant-School became the first Carbon Neutral certified restaurant in Brazil, the achievement sounded like a promise: that sustainability and operational excellence could go hand in hand. Three years later, that promise was not only fulfilled but multiplied. In January 2026, five units of the Sistema Comércio Bahia came together in a certification ceremony that marked a new chapter in the history of climate action in the country’s service sector. The ceremony brought together two distinct but complementary processes. On one hand, the Carbon Neutral recertification of the Senac Bahia Casa do Comércio and Pelourinho Restaurant-Schools and the Grande Hotel Sesc Itaparica. On the other, the debut of two new spaces in this journey: the Sesc Casa do Comércio Theaters and the Sesc-Senac Pelourinho Theater, which achieved their first Carbon Neutral certification, expanding the scope of the project to the cultural and events sector. The result is an unprecedented institutional climate action portfolio in Brazil: five certified units, covering gastronomy, hospitality, and culture, all operating in Salvador and the Baía de Todos os Santos, all committed to concrete decarbonization pathways through 2030. The progress of the Restaurant-Schools: growing without compromising the climate The Senac Bahia Casa do Comércio Restaurant-School completed in 2025 its third greenhouse gas inventory, referring to the year 2024, and the numbers tell a story of decoupling between growth and environmental impact, something rare and valuable in the gastronomic sector. In 2024, the restaurant served 94,515 people, an increase of 23.2% compared to 2023. In contrast, absolute emissions increased only 10.9%, rising from 1,089.32 to 1,212.94 tons of CO2eq. What is most impressive, however, is the emissions intensity indicator per person served: 12.78 kgCO2eq per client, a reduction of 9.96% compared to 2023 and an expressive 26.7% compared to the base year of 2021. This accumulated reduction of 26.7% in just three years is no coincidence. It results from strategic, consistent, and measurable decisions. The most impactful of these was the reformulation of the menu: emissions associated with beef and lamb per person served fell 26.13%, as a result of conscious substitution with lower environmental impact proteins, such as seafood, poultry, and pork. The purchase of 100% renewable energy through the free market completely eliminated emissions from electricity consumption (Category 2), an achievement that remains a pillar of the decarbonization strategy. The 90.44% reduction in paper consumption per person served also deserves attention, resulting from an operational transformation that goes beyond symbolism. The most revealing result lies in the trajectory relative to the 2030 target. The restaurant had projected reaching 14.54 kgCO2eq per person as an intermediate benchmark in 2024. By achieving 12.78, it was approximately one to two years ahead of the planned schedule. This means that the target of a 50% reduction by 2030, starting from 17.44 kgCO2eq/person in the base year, is not only on the horizon but appears achievable ahead of schedule. The Senac Bahia Pelourinho Restaurant-School, in turn, completed in 2024 its first year post-baseline, in an inaugural monitoring cycle. With a total footprint of 1,283.22 tCO2eq and an intensity indicator of 12.18 kgCO2eq per person served (calculated over 105,345 clients), Pelourinho establishes its starting line clearly. The first decarbonization cycles often present adjustment challenges, and Pelourinho was no exception: a 14.91% increase in absolute emissions alongside a 6.64% increase in audience signals the path still to be traveled. Even so, positive results are already emerging: solid waste decomposition fell 33.08% per person served, and employee commuting decreased 12.13%. The 50% reduction target by 2030, based on the 11.30 kgCO2eq/person indicator in 2023, is ambitious and achievable, especially with the implementation of the structured actions in the Climate Action Plan that will be put into practice starting in 2025. Grande Hotel Sesc Itaparica: 41.48% reduction in emissions intensity Among all the decarbonization stories celebrated in January 2026, that of the Grande Hotel Sesc Itaparica may be the most eloquent in numerical terms. In its second Carbon Neutral certification cycle, the hotel presented results that challenge the conventional logic that growth and emissions reduction are conflicting objectives. In 2024, the hotel recorded a 13.84% increase in the number of overnight stays, rising from 38,447 to 43,767. Simultaneously, absolute emissions fell 33.38%, from 1,966.34 to 1,309.90 tCO2eq. The intensity indicator per overnight stay dropped from 51.14 to 29.93 kgCO2eq, a reduction of 41.48% in a single cycle. This result demonstrates real gains in carbon management efficiency and does not stem from a single isolated action, but from a set of operational transformations. The transition to 100% renewable energy, with I-REC certification, completely eliminated emissions from electricity consumption, which in 2023 represented 38.61 tCO2eq. The production of raw materials and inputs, the main source of emissions in any hospitality operation, decreased 32.87% in absolute values and 41.03% in intensity. Employee commuting decreased 32.97% in absolute terms. Improved data collection on refrigerant gases, adopting a methodology based on primary replenishment data instead of estimates based on average rates, also contributed to more accurate and representative measurement of operational reality. The Grande Hotel Sesc Itaparica concretely illustrates that sustainable tourism is not a niche or an aspiration: it is a viable business strategy that delivers economic and environmental value simultaneously. Located on the island of Itaparica, in the Baía de Todos os Santos, the hotel also carries the symbolic weight of protecting one of the richest marine ecosystems in the southern hemisphere. Expansion into culture: the Sesc Theaters reach certification The major new development in January 2026 was the incorporation of two theaters into Sesc Bahia’s Carbon Neutral portfolio. The Sesc Casa do Comércio Theater and the Sesc-Senac Pelourinho Theater conducted their first greenhouse gas inventories, referring to the year 2024, and immediately achieved Carbon Neutral
Climate Leadership in Action: The Bonito Model at the 2026 Global Tourism Roundtable
The global tourism industry stands at a critical transition point where a destination’s success is no longer measured solely by visitor numbers, but by its ability to protect the natural assets that sustain it. On February 26, 2026, Green Initiative will join global leaders at the One Planet Global Roundtable to discuss “Practical Solutions for a Climate Resilient Tourism Future.” Strategic leadership is the cornerstone of this evolution. A primary voice in this transition is Bruno Wendling, President of Fundtur-MS (Mato Grosso do Sul Tourism Foundation), who has transformed the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, into a global laboratory for climate-resilient development. The Bonito Model: An Award-Winning Legacy of Resilience Under the management of Bruno Wendling, the city of Bonito (MS) and Fundtur-MS have consolidated their positions as world references in sustainability. The partnership with Green Initiative not only secured Bonito’s status as the world’s first Carbon Neutral ecotourism destination but has also yielded a remarkable record of international acclaim over the last three years (2023–2025). Climate Leadership Awards and Milestones This strategic commitment has earned achievements that serve as an inspiration for the entire sector: Strategic Actions by Fundtur-MS The success of Mato Grosso do Sul is the result of critical actions implemented by Fundtur, which serve as a framework for destination certification and local climate action: Matheus Mendes, Portfolio Manager at Green Initiative, will join forces with Bruno Wendling at the Roundtable to detail how these achievements can be replicated. They will discuss the sector-specific emission measurement nuances that allow tourism destinations to move from theoretical promises to verifiable results. Join the Global Conversation This event is an invitation to witness the practical implementation of the future of tourism. Participants will learn how the partnership between Fundtur and Green Initiative is scaling solutions to make Mato Grosso do Sul Brazil’s first carbon-neutral state, creating a climate positive tourism model that generates brand value and competitive advantage. Event Details: Register for the afternoon session on 26th February here: One Planet Network Event Registration Download the event pdf here.