Enviro News Asia, Washington, D.C. — Norway has joined Brazil as co-chair of a newly established international fund aimed at protecting tropical rainforests, marking a significant step in global climate cooperation.
The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), first launched during COP30, is designed to secure long-term financing for rainforest conservation while supporting biodiversity protection and climate mitigation efforts.
Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, emphasized that rainforest protection represents one of Norway’s most impactful international climate actions, highlighting the importance of joint leadership with Brazil in advancing the initiative.
The announcement of Norway’s co-chair role was made by Development Minister Åsmund Aukrust during a ministerial meeting held on the sidelines of the World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.
As the initiator of the TFFF, Brazil will jointly lead the fund’s governance structure alongside Norway, with both countries tasked with establishing institutional frameworks and mobilizing global financial commitments.
The fund introduces an innovative financing model by inviting private sector investment into a return-generating mechanism, similar to the Government Pension Fund Global. A portion of the returns will be distributed to countries that successfully preserve their tropical forests, creating a sustainable incentive system that gradually reduces dependence on traditional aid.
Norway has pledged up to US$3 billion in loans to support the fund, contingent upon sufficient co-financing from other partners. Initial commitments exceeding US$6.5 billion have already been announced by participating countries, including Indonesia, Germany, France, and Brazil, with a short-term target of reaching US$10 billion by the end of 2026.
In the long term, the TFFF aims to mobilize up to US$125 billion in capital, positioning it as one of the most ambitious global financing mechanisms for rainforest conservation.
Officials noted that while the fund will require time to become fully operational and generate returns, it is expected to play a critical role in advancing sustainable forest management and strengthening international collaboration in climate action. (*)
