The UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition is proud to announce the formal recognition of Moeda Social Carbono / Carbon Social Currency, an initiative of the Terrazul Institute, as an outstanding example of humanities-anchored, transdisciplinary sustainability science.
BRIDGES Recognition Programme: The Mission in Practice
The Recognition Programme was established to advance the BRIDGES mission: encouraging transdisciplinary research that is inclusive of the humanities and co-produced with communities.
The BRIDGES recognised initiatives exemplify our mission to foster transdisciplinary, humanities-inclusive solutions, offering innovative approaches to building socio-ecological resilience in real-world contexts where transformation is most critical.
Each project demonstrates that we cannot solve sustainability issues without understanding the social and cultural contexts that drive them.
UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES recognition follows a rigorous evaluative process assessing alignment with UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES’ principles and UNESCO’s sustainability science approach, with particular emphasis on transdisciplinary, socially responsible, ethical and transformative practice.
Influencing Global Policy
BRIDGES recognition provides a mechanism for these initiatives to inform international policy. By highlighting these projects as exemplary models, the actionable knowledge they generate will:
Moeda Social Carbono is a pioneering initiative rooted in the solidarity economy, climate justice, and community governance. It functions as a tool to convert concrete greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation actions, such as reforestation and waste management, into carbon credits and, subsequently, into Brazilian reais.
Redefining Climate Finance through Community Governance
By financially rewarding the environmental stewardship of traditional communities (including indigenous peoples, artisanal fishermen, and family farmers), the program tackles the "socioeconomic invisibility" of those who preserve the planet but remain excluded from traditional climate finance.
“It allows for the measurement and monetization of real climate impacts at a local scale, making visible actions that currently go unnoticed."
Impact, Resilience, and "Territorial Pedagogy"
Through participatory planning and "territorial pedagogy," the initiative strengthens local resilience and provides a model for the productive inclusion of vulnerable territories. Its goals include:
A Methodology of Justice and Integrity
The initiative operates with social and environmental justice at its core, and is rooted in the following principles:
This initiative demonstrates that we cannot solve sustainability issues without understanding the social and cultural contexts that drive them. Rooted in these social and cultural contexts, it harnesses technology to strengthen solidarity economies and redistribute wealth to vulnerable territories; providing a powerful model of community resilience.
The work of Carbon Social Currency / Moeda Social Carbono strengthens the global UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES network and contributes meaningfully to transformative, humanities-anchored community-led initiatives.
Transdisciplinary innovation
A distinguishing feature of the initiative, aligning with the BRIDGES Coalition’s mission, is its foundation in the appreciation of local knowledge, contributing to local solutions to the climate crisis.
It functions as a collaborative ecosystem integrating:
Participating Partners include: Terrazul Institute (Leading Organisation); Banclima - Climate Bank; Local Municipalities; Research Centres; Local communities; Traditional peoples; and Civil Society Organisations.
BRIDGES recognises the importance of championing transdisciplinary initiatives that address complex, multi-faceted societal challenges in innovative ways to stimulate transformative change for the benefit of societies, people and planet.
A criteria of the BRIDGES Recognition Programme is the initiative addresses specific global, regional or local challenges encompassed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Moeda Social Carbono serves as an exemplary case of how bridging diverse knowledge bases can provide innovative solutions to the SDG’s; attending to:
SDG 1: No Poverty
The Moeda Social Carbono / Carbon Social Currency initiative acts as a tool for productive inclusion and income redistribution. It provides financial compensation (in Brazilian reais) to vulnerable populations and traditional communities for their environmental stewardship, helping to alleviate poverty in "peripheral territories."
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
By linking the climate market to the popular economy, the Moeda Social Carbono stimulates locally-based, circular, and solidarity economies. This initiative recognises the "socioeconomic invisibility" of traditional workers and ensures they are remunerated for their sustainability practices.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Empowering Traditional Communities: The initiative promotes climate justice by ensuring that traditional communities (indigenous, quilombola, riverside) are not only recognised but also integrated into public policies and climate finance funds. It empowers these groups to have autonomy without "centralized intermediation or excessive bureaucracy."
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Strengthening Local Community Resilience: Through "territorial pedagogy" and participatory planning, the Carbon Social Currency Initiative strengthens territorial resilience. It converts local actions like waste management and ecosystem conservation into social value that circulates within the community. While training new generations with climate awareness and the ability to act locally with global impact, strengthens community resilience of current and future generations.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Climate Action is the core objective of the Carbon Social Currency initiative. It establishes a technical infrastructure to measure, validate, and reward concrete actions to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It fosters climate awareness and local action with global impact.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Transdisciplinary Collaboration: Moeda Social Carbono integrates communities, universities, research centres, companies, and "impact fintechs" (like Banclima) to work together towards a just and inclusive climate transition. Participating Partners include: Terrazul Institute; Banclima - Climate Bank; Local Municipalities; Research Centres; Local communities; Traditional peoples; and Civil Society Organisations.
