On March 27, the 12th session of the CNEST Frontier Seminar Series will be held at the Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University. The event invites André Guimarães, Executive Director of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) and COP30 Special Envoy for Civil Society, to deliver a keynote lecture on Valuing Forests in Agricultural Systems: The Role of Carbon and Other Environmental Services, followed by discussion and exchange. The CNEST Frontier Seminar Series is a required cutting-edge course on carbon neutrality technology for doctoral students in the first-level discipline of “Carbon Neutrality System Science and Technology.” All are welcome to register!

1. Basic Information

Date: March 27, 2026 (Friday) 15:00–16:00

Venue: Main Conference Room, Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University (18th Floor, Tower C, Science and Technology Building, TUS Park, Haidian District, Beijing)

Speaker: André Guimarães

Lecture Title: Valuing Forests in Agricultural Systems: The Role of Carbon and Other Environmental Services

2. Main Agenda

（1）Welcome and Introduction

（2）Keynote Lecture

（3）Discussion and Exchange

3. Lecture Abstract

Tropical forests are essential for the stability of agricultural systems, providing critical environmental services such as carbon storage, climate regulation, water cycling, and biodiversity conservation. In Brazil, where agricultural expansion and forest conservation coexist within the same landscapes, mechanisms such as Payments for Environmental Services (PES), REDD+ initiatives, jurisdictional approaches, and emerging carbon markets have been developed to create economic incentives for sustainable land use. This talk will present recent experiences in valuing forests within agricultural systems, highlighting how carbon and other environmental services can support climate mitigation, resilient supply chains, and sustainable production. It will also discuss opportunities for international cooperation, particularly between Brazil and China, in advancing policies and markets that recognize the full value of forests in global food systems.

4. Speaker Biography

André Guimarães

André Guimarães is the Executive Director of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) and COP30 Special Envoy for Civil Society. He holds a degree in Agronomy from the University of Brasília (UnB) and served as Vice-President of Development at Conservation International (CI) Americas, where he oversaw operations in ten Latin American countries. Mr. Guimarães also founded and managed Brasil Florestas, a company focused on promoting forest products as environmental services. He was Private Sector Relations Coordinator for the World Bank Pilot Program to Conserve the Brazilian Rainforest and Director of A2R Environmental Funds. Mr. Guimarães has also managed third-sector institutions such as the BioAtlântica Institute (IBio) and IMAZON.

5. Registration

A limited number of in-person attendance slots are available for this seminar. If you are interested in participating, please scan the QR code below to register before 24:00 on March 25, 2026. The organizing committee will send a confirmation email to successful registrants.