CASACOR SP 24: understand how carbon offsetting works at the show

“When we think about what CASACOR represents for the real estate, architecture and decoration markets, it is very gratifying to work with the cast involved, showing the life cycle of the projects and highlighting the trajectory and impacts of the materials”, says Bruno Gagliasso , who runs Pachamama Trading with his partners, João Marcello Gomes Pinto and Rodrigo Rivellino . The company, specialized in offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the conservation of forests and communities that are guardians of biodiversity, carries out the inventory and carbon offsetting of the exhibition , the yearbook and, for the first time, of at least five environments in the visiting circuit , designed by Gabriel Rosa , Gil Fialho Landscaping , Kesley Santiago , Sala2 Arquitetura and Studio Ro+Ca . “We will offer professionals access to cutting-edge technology consulting so they can understand the consequences of choosing each item , find ways to minimize them and learn more about carbon neutralization, which is so important in tackling the climate crisis,” says Darlan Firmato , the event’s operations director. Worldwide, it is estimated that 40% of GHG emissions are related to the construction and operation of buildings . Each raw material extracted from nature, processed in industry, transported to stores, incorporated into a project for a certain period of time and then discarded leaves behind a trail of socio-environmental impacts, from water and energy consumption to aspects such as soil degradation, waste generation and pollution. “Offsetting this footprint means adopting ways to transform all of this into positive results . To do this, we consider CO2 emissions and also 26 ecosystem services, such as biodiversity maintenance, climate regulation, oxygen production, educational values and pollination,” explains João Marcello Gomes Pinto, founding partner of Pachamama Trading.

How it works

In order to calculate the carbon offset of an environment, data on each material used in it is first collected. The information then undergoes a life cycle analysis (LCA) , which establishes the amount of CO2 incorporated into that space. The professional then purchases biodiversity credits , measured in tons of carbon equivalent (tCO2e), to balance this volume. After the purchase, he obtains a sustainability certificate issued by the multinational auditing firm KPMG with blockchain technology, which guarantees security and transparency to the process. Credits are generated annually at Fazenda Floresta Amazônica, in Apuí, AM , an area of 145 thousand hectares of forest, with an important carbon stock and a great variety of fauna and flora, in addition to the bodies of water that cross the territory. In simplified terms, it works like this: based on a methodology created by the São Paulo State University (Unesp) and validated by KPMG, the property receives payment to keep the forest standing.

This new development represents a significant leap forward in the brand’s progress in the area of sustainability. “In the beginning, we bought carbon credits, then we started planting trees, and now we are investing in a technology that allows us to go further and reach rivers, wildlife, and the lives of people who live in forests,” Firmato celebrates. “We want this approach to inspire other players in the construction and decoration segment,” he adds. Gabriel Rosa, an architect who is making his debut at the São Paulo show this year, decided to take part in the initiative. “ It is crucial that we take environmental responsibility in all aspects of our practice . We need to recognize the implications of the industry in which we operate and demonstrate commitment,” he says. Kesley Santiago agrees: “I want to contribute to a more sustainable future and I believe that we architects have an important role in combating the climate emergency. Everyone must do their part.” And this includes the public: when purchasing the ticket, it will be possible to pay an extra R$5, corresponding to the average carbon footprint of event visitors traveling to Conjunto Nacional .