Germany Pledges €1 Billion to Brazil Rainforest Fund

Germany has committed €1 billion ($1.15 billion) over the next decade to Brazil’s Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a landmark initiative to protect the Amazon and other tropical rainforests.

The announcement was made by Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva during the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém.

The TFFF is designed to reward countries that preserve rainforests and penalize those that increase deforestation, using satellite monitoring to track environmental performance. Germany’s support complements pledges from Norway, which has committed $3 billion, and Brazil and Indonesia, which plan to contribute $1 billion each.

The fund aims to eventually reach $125 billion, distributing around $4 billion annually after an initial ramp-up phase, nearly tripling current international forest financing. It will support up to 70 developing countries, with at least 20% of funding earmarked for Indigenous peoples and traditional communities.

Rainforests, often called the planet’s “green lungs,” play a critical role in absorbing greenhouse gases, cooling the atmosphere, and sustaining biodiversity. However, they face growing threats from agriculture, pasture expansion, and mining.

Founding members of the TFFF include Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The 18-member board overseeing the fund is equally split between rainforest nations and donor countries, with the World Bank serving as trustee during the initial phase.

Brazil hopes wealthy nations will commit an initial $25 billion, with a further $100 billion expected from private investors, ensuring that fossil fuel-linked projects are excluded from funding.