Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway

04/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2026 07:18

Norway joins Brazil in leading innovative rainforest fund

Norway joins Brazil in leading innovative rainforest fund

Norway joins Brazil as co-chair for a new international fund for tropical rainforests, announced on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

'To contribute to the protection of rainforests is Norway's most effective climate and nature effort internationally. I am happy to announce that we, together with Brazil, will co-lead this new initiative,' said Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.

Launched at the Climate Summit in Belém

The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) is the most ambitious international cooperation effort for the protection of tropical forests since Norway lauched Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) 18 years ago.

The fund aims to secure long-term financing for rainforest preservation. It was launched at COP30, the climate summit held in Brazil in November 2025.

At the COP, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that Norway will contribute up to 3 billion USD in loans, subject to conditions including sufficient co-financing from other sources.

Double benefit

The announcement of the new leadership duo was made on Thursday 16 April by Norway's Development Minister Åsmund Aukrust during a TFFF ministerial meeting, held in the margins of the World Bank's Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

Together with Brazil-the initiator of TFFF-Norway will serve as co-chair of the fund's board.

'I think it is valuable that countries from different continents - Norway and Brazil - are joining forces going forward. Protecting tropical forests is important not only as a climate effort, but also to safeguard irreplaceable biodiversity. It is of great importance that this effort succeeds, especially in these challenging times for international cooperation,' said Minister Aukrust.

Minister Bjelland Eriksen will also discuss the TFFF initiative during the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Germany on April 21-22.

Ambitious target

What sets TFFF apart is its innovative model, inviting private investors to participate in a fund that yields returns-similar to Norway's Government Pension Fund Global.

A share of the returns will be channeled to countries that preserve their tropical forests. Because returns stem from a long-term investment fund, the mechanism will gradually become independent of additional aid funding.

The fund's long-term target is to raise a capital of 125 billion USD.

At COP30, contributions totaling more than 6,5 billion USD were announced from Brazil, Indonesia, Germany, France, and Norway. The short-term goal is to reach 10 billion by the end of 2026.

As co-chair, Norway will, initially, work alongside Brazil to establish the fund's necessary structures and mobilize financial commitments. It is expected that the fund will need some time before it starts generating returns.

FACTS

This is how it works

  • Contributions from Norway and other donors will be used to attract additional investment from private capital.
  • The combined funds will be placed in a global investment portfolio.
  • Once investors have received their returns, surplus profits will be distributed annually to tropical forest countries that can demonstrate-using satellite imagery-that they are preserving their rainforests. This ensures targeted financing for forest conservation.
  • At least 20 percent of these funds will go directly to Indigenous peoples and local communities.
  • The long-term goal is to raise around 125 billion USD.
  • The fund will be open to all rainforest countries that are committed to conservation.
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