Water is the thread that connects all life, flowing from forests to oceans, uniting land and sea in a continuous cycle while nourishing ecosystems and communities. Protecting this vital cycle is essential for maintaining the balance of nature and ensuring the health and prosperity of future generations. By safeguarding our water resources, we honor the interconnectedness of life and the profound role that water plays in our world.

Our mission is to promote water resilience and strengthen the health of aquatic ecosystems in Brazil.

We believe in the conservation of natural resources through the transformation of people and sustainable development. We have been active since 2018, starting with the topic of impact investing in climate-smart agriculture. We organized the Climathon Santos and the Circular and Blue Economy Summit for entrepreneurial solutions for a blue economy, as well as the Abrolhos Earth & Sea Roundtable. In the Cerrado, we coordinate the Cerrado Circular Program, with water always at the core of our initiatives from a systemic land & sea and sea & land perspective.

Our value proposition

A systemic vision of water resources

A systemic vision of water resources that considers the integration of watersheds, rivers, mangroves, coastal zones and the ocean. An entrepreneurial vision that prioritizes integrated and sustainable local

An entrepreneurial vision

An entrepreneurial vision that prioritizes integrated and sustainable local development.

Development of cross-sectoral collaborations

Development of cross-sectoral collaborations for natural resource management, involving organized civil society, public authorities and private initiative.

Strategic Philanthropy,

Strategic Philanthropy, applying venture capital mechanisms to enhance social and environmental impacts, focusing on strategic investments and intensive support for the beneficiary organizations.

What we do

Community-based entrepreneurship projects aim to identify individuals or groups within a community outside major urban centers who seek income-generating solutions based on the maintenance and proper use of biome assets and local knowledge.

At the Climate Smart Institute, we develop community-based entrepreneurship projects starting from participant identification, business planning training, and support for market access. Among our indicators, we go beyond income generation or hectares of forest preserved; we measure the qualitative impact on the lives of local entrepreneurs and the transformative power they have within their families, communities, and surroundings.

We consider solutions that address a wide range of issues, from those directly related to water resilience to challenges like plastic pollution in rivers and oceans, as well as promoting sustainable fishing and tourism.

Develop studies, documentaries and coordinate events to raise awareness and generate knowledge on issues relevant to aquatic ecosystems.

Timeline

Team

  • Tatiana Zanardi

    Executive Director

    Tatiana is a diver, sailor, and captain who has lived aboard the sustainable catamaran Ocean Eyes since 2011. She is an underwater cinematographer and documentarian, co-founder of Ocean Eyes Productions, the Ocean Alive Project, and the Sustainable Gastronomy Movement Cook 4 Life. Tatiana has prior experience in Educational Technology and IT, holding an MBA in e-Business from FGV

  • Bia Figueiredo

    Director of Blue Economy

    Bia is a diver and economist with a master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard University, focusing on natural resource management and sustainable ecosystems. She is the director of the Blue Economy Program

  • Nobuiuki Ito

    Projects Director

    Nobuiki holds a PhD in systemic management of value chains from FEA/USP and is a professor at Ibmec-SP. He is the coordinator of the Cerrado Circular project

  • Cezar Moreira

    UX Researcher and Communications

    Cezar has experience in door-to-door research, focusing on consumer behavior and impact investments. He coordinates training sessions and workshops and is an avid surfer and off-road enthusiast

  • Angélica Rotondaro

    Fiscal Council

    Angélica has experience in blended finance, impact investment, and ESG within food supply chains. She is a co-founder of Alimi Impact Ventures and previously served as the executive director for the University of St. Gallen in Latin America. She has an international career in branding and holds a PhD from the University of St. Gallen

  • Silvan Roth

    Advisory Council

    Silvan is the co-founder and CEO of EmpreX, a FinTech aimed at providing accessible credit to Brazilians. He has experience in asset management, having coordinated a global fund. Silvan believes that access to fair financial services is essential for quality of life. He is a CFA Charterholder with a degree in economics from the University of St. Gallen and a master’s in International Finance from HEC Paris

  • Andrea Minardi

    Advisory Council

    Andrea is a Senior Research Fellow and professor at Insper. Her areas of expertise include Corporate Finance and Investment, Private Equity and Venture Capital, Blended Finance, Green Finance, and Impact Investing. She holds a degree from Poli-UPS, with a master’s and doctorate from EAESP – FGV