An initiative was launched during COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, consisting of the creation of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund (TFFF). This fund united governments and global leaders with a common goal, seen as greater than any differences that may exist between them: to preserve our forests while there is still time. The initiative involves 53 countries and has already secured an initial contribution of US$5.5 billion.
The fund boosts global cooperation to protect large areas of tropical forests
The proposal is based on rewarding countries with effective forest conservation measures, offering permanent and predictable incentives. What can we expect from this project?
The goal of the TFFF is to offer direct financial incentives to countries that preserve their forest cover. In financial terms, the fund’s idea is to ensure that the opposite of a historical trend happens now. Forests have always been worth more in terms of capital to humans when felled than standing, and with this initiative, the financial incentive comes precisely from preserving them, with projects that guarantee effective measures such as carbon storage, biodiversity protection, and the maintenance of water resources.
To date, 34 tropical countries have joined the initiative. Among them are Brazil, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Papua New Guinea, and Suriname, a group comprised of territories that contain more than 90% of the tropical forests of developing nations. For many of these countries, the TFFF represents a concrete path to financing lasting environmental policies.
The contributions already announced demonstrate the importance of this alliance and the commitment of many countries to the cause. Norway has pledged US$3 billion over ten years, Brazil and Indonesia have guaranteed contributions of US$1 billion each, and other nations, such as France, Portugal, and the Netherlands, have also joined the effort.
Nations highlight the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation
This proposal is a historic milestone, as it represents the most significant international recognition ever consolidated regarding the role of these populations as guardians of the forests.
Several studies show that areas under community management tend to register lower rates of deforestation. However, it is known that these populations receive few or no resources to carry out this work. With the fund, the promise is that investments will arrive without intermediaries, strengthening grassroots initiatives and guaranteeing autonomy for protection and sustainable development actions.
Funding strengthens community leadership and expands long-term forest protection efforts
The TFFF has successfully combined government resources, private investments, and funding through philanthropy, resulting in a hybrid financial system. This gives the project a mechanism capable of surviving global political and economic changes.
“The TFFF boldly and justly acknowledges the essential role of Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities in forest protection. Ensuring that at least 20% of resources go directly to these guardians is a historic achievement and a decisive step toward equity and the recognition of ancestral knowledge,” said Guajajara.
Initial $5.5 billion marks a turning point for long-term tropical forest conservation
The operation will have the support of the World Bank, which will act as trustee and host the fund in its initial phase. The use of technology will also be essential for the success of the venture: forest monitoring will be done using sensors and satellite imagery, ensuring transparency and ease of verification.
The $5.5 billion commitment is just the beginning of this global-scale undertaking, but it already guarantees stability for the idea. With new rules and well-defined incentives, the TFFF emerges as an ambitious alternative on the global environmental agenda. The challenge now is to transform this ambition into concrete results.