Norway has announced plans to allocate up to NOK 30 billion to a new international initiative aimed at safeguarding the world’s tropical forests for generations to come. The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) is designed to provide stable, long-term funding to countries working to reduce deforestation and protect vital ecosystems.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating, “It is vital to stop deforestation to reduce the impacts of climate change and limit biodiversity loss. There is no time to lose if we are to save the world’s tropical forests. The new Tropical Forest Forever Facility can provide stable, long-term funding to relevant countries. It is important for Norway to support this initiative.”
The announcement was made ahead of this year’s Climate Change Conference in Belém, located in the Brazilian Amazon. Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen added, “Protecting tropical forests is an investment in our common future. This fund will help safeguard vulnerable ecosystems that are essential for mitigating the global climate and nature crisis. We hope that more countries will also contribute funding.” Brazil and Indonesia have already pledged USD 1 billion each to the fund.
The Norwegian contribution will take the form of loans, disbursed gradually until 2035 and repayable by 2075. Norway has set clear conditions for the disbursement of these funds: at least NOK 100 billion must be secured from other donors by 2026, Norway’s share cannot exceed 20% of the total fund, and the funding model must maintain sustainable risk levels. The Storting, Norway’s parliament, will consider the allocation during debates on the national budget.
The Tropical Forest Forever Facility is structured to attract additional financing from private investors. Combined assets will be managed within a global investment fund, with excess returns distributed annually to countries demonstrating low deforestation rates to further support forest conservation efforts. At least 20% of the fund will be directed to indigenous peoples and local communities. Brazil has been a driving force behind the initiative, seeking contributions from other nations in the form of loans. The TFFF aims to raise approximately NOK 1,250 billion and, over time, is expected to become self-sustaining without requiring further donor contributions.
Norway has a long history of rainforest conservation, having been one of the largest donors to these efforts for over 15 years through its International Climate and Forest Initiative, launched in 2008. The country’s latest commitment represents its largest investment to date under the initiative. While Brazil, Indonesia, and other partner countries have achieved significant reductions in deforestation, global levels remain high, exacerbated by wildfires, rising temperatures, and prolonged droughts.
Through the TFFF, Norway seeks to strengthen international collaboration and create a durable funding mechanism that ensures tropical forests are preserved as a critical natural resource for climate mitigation and biodiversity protection.
