• Biodiversity

Protecting biodiversity requires not only planning and restoration, but also vigilance. Since 2016, the State of Rio de Janeiro has strengthened its environmental enforcement capacity through ‘Olho no Verde’, a satellite monitoring system designed to detect and combat illegal deforestation across the state’s Atlantic Forest. By combining geospatial intelligence, artificial intelligence and rapid enforcement response, the initiative combats illegal deforestation, ensuring environmental violations are identified early and addressed effectively. 

Operating across all 92 Rio de Janeiro’s municipalities, the system continuously monitors approximately 1.4 million hectares of remaining Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s most threatened biodiversity hotspots. By preventing illegal suppression of native vegetation with the use of satellite intelligence, the initiative safeguards ecological corridors, protects water sources, and reduces pressure on sensitive ecosystems. These actions contribute directly to halting biodiversity loss, maintaining ecosystem services, reducing environmental degradation, and strengthening climate resilience. 

Measurable results for biodiversity protection  

Since its launch, ‘Olho no Verde’ has generated more than 6,500 deforestation alerts. 

The system detects vegetation suppression starting at a minimum of 100 m², allowing early intervention before localized disturbances escalate into broader degradation processes. Validated alerts have supported field inspections, equipment seizures, embargoes, administrative sanctions and arrests in cases of flagrante environmental crime.  

The initiative maintains an integrated dashboard that records alerts, inspections and enforcement outcomes. Its spatial database consolidates historical information on deforestation cases, embargoed areas and inspection results, allowing the State to track trends, measure effectiveness, and ensure that each alert receives appropriate follow-up. 

This structured monitoring framework reinforces transparency, supports evidence-based policymaking, and ensures that biodiversity data is accessible to guide action. 

Lessons learned 

Experience has shown that technology alone is not sufficient. The effectiveness of ‘Olho no Verde’ lies in the integration of three elements: 

• Continuous satellite monitoring

• Automated and reliable data processing 

• Rapid operational coordination with enforcement agencies 

When remote sensing is directly connected to inspection teams and legal procedures, information becomes action. This integration has strengthened institutional capacity and improved the State’s ability to respond quickly to environmental violations. 

Why this matters for COP17 

Achieving the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework depends on the capacity of governments to prevent further ecosystem degradation while restoration and conservation efforts advance. 

The initiative ‘Olho no Verde’ shows how subnational governments can use technology to integrate biodiversity into territorial decision-making, strengthen enforcement institutions, and ensure accountability across jurisdictions. 

By transforming satellite intelligence into rapid enforcement response, Rio de Janeiro highlights that effective biodiversity governance requires both proactive conservation and decisive action against illegal deforestation. 

As the global community prepares COP17, this experience highlights the importance of investing in monitoring systems that translate data into concrete protection of ecosystems on the ground. 

GBF targets addressed: 1, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 21. 
Focus areas: Monitoring & enforcement; Digital innovation; Atlantic Forest protection; Territorial governance. 

Read more: 

• https://www.inea.rj.gov.br/olho-no-verde/

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