Maracanaú, a municipality with 251,000 inhabitants in Ceará, is preparing for a sustainable future, guaranteeing a better quality of life for future generations. With the largest industrial hub in the state and the second largest economy in Ceará, it seeks to balance development and environmental preservation, aligning itself with the themes of COP30.
The City Hall will invest in renewable energies, clean technologies, and efficient waste management, reducing pollutant emissions and encouraging recycling. It will also work on the preservation of green areas and natural resources, consolidating Maracanaú as a benchmark in sustainability.
Learn about the projects that will shape the green future of the Municipality.
Territorial Area: 105,084 km².
Population: 251,613 people (estimated in 2025).
The 2nd largest economy in Ceará, with a Gross Domestic Product — GDP — of R$ 12.3 billion (2021).
The 3rd highest GDP per capita in the State: R$ 53,410.24 per inhabitant/year (2021).
The 4th largest in imports in Ceará, with US$ 348 million imported (2024).
Exports of US$ 957 million in 2024, establishing the 4th position in the State.
61,900 formal workers in the Municipality — The second largest job market in Ceará.
Location: Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, Ceará, in the Northeast Region of Brazil.
Climate: Tropical.
Average Temperature: 25.7 °C.
Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant
Energy Generation: 825 KWp per year of nominal power to generate energy for approximately 300 municipal public buildings, comprising an energy production of 4 million kWh per year. Location: On suitable land, to be donated by the Municipality. Positive Environmental Impacts: The production of clean energy for municipal buildings, by injecting credits into the energy system and reducing municipal costs with the payment of this tariff.
Biogas Energy Recovery Plant
Objectives: To implement a biogas plant that uses the anaerobic digestion of organic matter (such as agricultural waste, animal manure, garbage, and sewage) to generate biogas, mainly methane. To extend the lifespan of the landfill in Maracanaú. To reuse the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in Maracanaú, approximately 87,600 tons per year. Capacity: To generate 34 to 40 GWh/year, enough to supply between 12,000 and 15,000 average-consumption households. Positive Environmental Impacts: 2,716 tons of methane to be avoided per year (with biodigestion/controlled landfill), which is equivalent to 67,900 tons of CO₂ to be avoided per year. Positive social impacts: 700 to 850 waste pickers integrated into the chain, with an increase in average monthly income of R$ 1,500 to R$ 2,200, through structuring via cooperatives and reverse logistics.
Urbanization and environmental recovery of lagoons, reservoirs, rivers and streams
Objective: To carry out the urbanization of the surroundings of the natural water resources of Maracanaú, associated with the environmental recovery and cleaning of the waters, promoting fish stocking and stimulating fishing for food security purposes. Among the areas that will benefit are the Maracanaú Lagoon, Acaracuzinho, Pajuçara, Mingau, Jenipapeiro, Jaçanaú, Colônia Antônio Justa and the reservoirs of Fazenda Raposa, Pratas, Camurção and Santo Antônio do Pitaguary. Considering the combined water surface area of these water sources (approximately 1 million m²) and an average depth of 3 meters, the volume of freshwater is 3 million m³, with a great potential for the production and exploitation of tens of tons of fish annually. Effective urbanization actions: To urbanize the surrounding areas of the water sources, while preserving riparian vegetation, with total investments of US$ 25 million. The resources are already secured through financing from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – CAF. Effective environmental actions: Continuous diagnosis of water quality in these water sources, cleaning and oxygenation of the waters using biological technology, and promoting fish stocking and, subsequently, promoting fishing for food security purposes for the most vulnerable population. Positive Social Impacts: To promote environmental awareness in the community so that everyone collaborates in the protection of these water resources. To mobilize the school community and social entities in the process. To guarantee food security for the vulnerable population through artisanal fishing.
Guardians of the Maranguapinho River
Objective: To retain urban solid waste in the 34-kilometer stretch of the Maranguapinho River that runs through Maracanaú, thus preventing these pollutants from reaching the Ceará River and, consequently, the ocean. Positive Environmental Impact: The removal of 100 tons of waste per year from the Maranguapinho River through submerged screens in approved sections. Positive Social Impact: The strategy will go beyond waste containment, integrating environmental education as well as technical and social work with riverside communities, transforming residents into true Environmental Guardians.
Reduction of CO2 Emissions into the Atmosphere
Objective: To reduce CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions into the atmosphere by up to 90%. Actions: Implementation of exclusive bus lanes, bike paths and cycle lanes, a shared bicycle system, and the expansion of pedestrian areas in new urban spaces; Pilot project which consists in the replacement of conventional motorcycles used by registered motorcycle taxi drivers with electric motorcycles that will be donated by the Municipality; Gradual replacement of the company's own and leased fleet of conventional institutional vehicles with electric vehicles; Reducing air pollution generated by the urban bus fleet through technology, by acquiring electric, hybrid and/or vehicles with the modern Euro 6/Proconve P-8 standards, which aim to reduce pollutant emissions from diesel-powered vehicles.
Ethnotourism in the Pitaguary Indigenous Territory
Objective: To implement a community-based ethnotourism project in the Pitaguary Indigenous Territory, officially recognized in 2007 and approved in 2025. The project will be carried out by the Secretariat for Indigenous Peoples and the Secretariat for Culture and Tourism, in partnership with the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples — Funai —, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources — Ibama —, and the Secretariat for the Environment of Maracanaú. Actions: The organization of the Santo Antônio Reservoir shoreline, with the installation of 20 standardized food stalls, 20 kiosks, exclusively for indigenous crafts, thatched-roof tents for visitors, bicycle racks, and parking areas; Cultural Enhancement and Tourism Immersion, with the installation of bilingual signage (in Portuguese and Tupi), information boards and maps, entrance gate and historical points with QR codes, construction of a Handicraft Space, with guaranteed authenticity of the Indigenous Seal of Brazil, and encouragement of community tourism houses; Accessibility, inclusion and greater mobility in key spaces, such as the Church of Santo Antônio do Pitaguary; Environmental Management: Promotion of proper waste management and creation of spaces dedicated to environmental care, with the implementation of selective collection points and marked trash cans. Positive Environmental Impacts: Preservation of the fauna and flora of the Pitaguary Indigenous Territory, pollution management, conscious use of natural resources and environmental recovery, as well as promotion of environmental education and awareness.
