Gustavo Baêsso
Gustavo develops and leads carbon project validation and verification services under VCS, CCB, Gold Standard, and Plan Vivo. He manages audits, conducts field visits, provides technical expertise, and ensures projects meet rigorous carbon standards while supporting Preferred by Nature’s global climate and restoration initiatives. His work combines technical carbon expertise with stakeholder engagement and project oversight.
Gustavo serves as a Senior Carbon Projects Specialist, leading validation and verification audits of forestry, agriculture, and other land use carbon projects worldwide. He guides teams through audit planning, on-site fieldwork, and report preparation, ensuring compliance with international carbon standards. Gustavo also develops monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) activities, collaborates with project stakeholders, and provides technical recommendations to improve project design and performance.
In addition, he contributes to the development of Preferred by Nature’s carbon project services, tools, templates, and training materials, and supports fundraising and strategic discussions within the Climate and Restoration Programme.
Gustavo earned both his Bachelor’s in Forestry Engineering and his Master’s in Forest Science from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Brazil, and is currently advancing his academic path through a PhD in Forest Sciences. He has extensive experience auditing over 25 carbon projects in regions including South America, Africa, and Europe, and has conducted several fieldworks in remote Amazon regions. His background also includes leadership roles in forestry operations, carbon project development, and academic instruction in carbon projects validation and verification.
Gustavo has pioneered innovative approaches in forest nurseries and holds patents in automated greenhouse technologies, demonstrating a blend of practical field expertise, technical innovation, and teaching experience.
"As a forestry engineer and someone who has always been deeply connected to nature and animals, my alignment with Preferred by Nature begins with its name itself and extends naturally to the mission and values the organisation has upheld for more than 30 years. I first heard about Preferred by Nature when I was still in university, and since then it stood out to me as a reference for integrity and impact in the environmental certification sector. After several years working with forest carbon projects, REDD+, and field auditing across different regions, it is a privilege for me now to contribute to this team — and equally to keep learning from it every day. Joining Preferred by Nature represents the convergence of my professional path, my personal values, and the purpose-driven work I want to dedicate myself to."
- Carbon project validation and verification (VCS, CCB, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo)
- Auditing and technical review of AFOLU projects
- MRV system development and carbon accounting
- Remote sensing, GIS, and data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement, FPIC, and community consultation
- Project management and team leadership
- Fieldwork in remote and challenging environments
- Teaching and training on carbon standards and audit procedures
- Languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish