On March 20, 2025, the First Virtual Workshop of the process of building the National Urban Afforestation Plan (PlaNAU) was held. This event was a crucial step in the plan's development, with the participation of municipal managers, specialized technicians, and representatives from academic and environmental institutions. The workshop's objective was to present the participatory process of developing the PlanNAU and the different opportunities for participation.

Rodrigo Corradi, Director of ICLEI Brazil; Adalberto Maluf, National Secretary of Urban Environment, Water Resources and Environmental Quality of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; Ana Lícia Patriota, President of the Brazilian Society of Urban Arboriculture; and Sergio Chaves – Secretary of Governmental Articulation of SBAU and Coordinator of the Tree Cities of the World/BRAZIL Program – Arbor Day Foundation, made the initial presentations and highlighted the importance of the Plan initiative for the sustainable development of cities and for the promotion of a more balanced quality of life for the population.

Ana Lícia Patriota, president of the Brazilian Society of Urban Arboriculture, contributed with a reflection on the challenges and opportunities in implementing urban arboriculture solutions, highlighting the need for adequate planning so that actions are effective and adapted to the reality of each municipality.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the presentation by Professor Dr. Maurício Lamano Ferreira, from the University of São Paulo, who discussed how urban tree planting contributes to improving quality of life, promoting biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Lamano also reinforced the importance of proper planning and management for these practices to be sustainable and effective in the long term. His presentation provided participants with a solid technical foundation on how tree planting can be an important driver for public policies on resilience and sustainability.

Léa Gejer, coordinator of ICLEI Brazil, led a session on the participatory process for developing the National Urban Planning Plan (PlanNAU), detailing the steps that will involve collaboration from various sectors of society. Five regional in-person workshops will be held to gather contributions from society, especially from municipalities, for the construction of the PlanNAU. Scheduled for April to June 2025, the regional events are expected to take place in the cities of Manaus (North), Recife (Northeast), Campo Grande (Central-West), Campinas (Southeast), and Curitiba (South). The process will conclude with an online public consultation scheduled for July.

To broaden opportunities for participation and representation of contributions, the virtual workshop launched the initiative's page on the ReDUS platform (Network for Sustainable Urban Development), where updates on the participatory process will be published. A form for collecting virtual contributions is also available on the platform.

The launch of the participatory construction process for the National Urban Tree Planting Plan (PlaNAU) took place on February 11, 2025, during the Meeting of New Mayors, held in Brasília. This occasion marked the formal beginning of the process of building this national plan, which aims to transform the management of urban tree planting in Brazilian cities.

The National Urban Afforestation Plan is an important action to address the urban challenges posed by the climate crisis and to promote greener and more resilient cities. The collaboration of local governments is essential to ensure the success of this initiative and to ensure that the plan meets the specific needs of each region, resulting in concrete benefits for cities and urban populations.

At the event, Lea Gejer, Technical Coordinator at ICLEI Brazil, explained that municipalities and states that do not yet have their plans will benefit from the participatory process of building the National Urban Forestry Plan (PlanNAU), receiving guidelines and orientations tailored to local realities, while those that already have urban forestry plans will not need to redo them. Their experience will contribute to the development of the national plan through the sharing of best practices.

As part of the implementation of the Resilient Green Cities Programme (PCVR), the National Urban Greening Plan (PlaNAU) is under development and is an initiative coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and implemented by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, in partnership with the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL) and with the support of academic and research institutions and the Brazilian Society of Urban Greening (SBAU).

ICLEI, as the implementer of the participatory process, continues to offer technical and methodological support for the construction of a robust PlanNAU (National Urban Planning Plan) that reflects local needs and is capable of promoting long-term sustainability. The engagement and participation of states, municipalities, and civil society will be fundamental to this.

To watch the event in its entirety and follow information and updates about the PlanAU, register on the official page of the Network for Sustainable Urban Development (ReDUS): redus.org.br/planau

Please fill out the form available on the ReDUS website and share your insights and contributions to help us develop an effective and comprehensive plan.

To find out how your city can get involved, please contact us by email. [email protected].