Chancellor Merz supports new tropical forest fund for climate protection!

Chancellor Merz supports new tropical forest fund for climate protection!

The UN World Climate Conference COP30 begins today in Belém, Brazil, where the focus is on protecting tropical rainforests. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has previously announced Germany's support for the new tropical forest fund “Tropical Forest Forever Facility” (TFFF). This fund is intended to financially reward countries that actively conserve and protect their forests. Specific funding amounts have not yet been announced, but Merz promises a “significant amount” to support the initiative, which is also supported by large countries such as Norway and France. Norway, for example, announced support of about $3 billion, while France is providing $500 million.

Tropical rainforests play a critical role in the fight against climate change by serving as carbon sinks while providing habitats for many species. But the destruction of these valuable ecosystems, especially in the Amazon region, continues unstoppably. In 2022, forest areas of 7 x 7 kilometers disappeared every day, primarily due to the expansion of cattle and soybean cultivation. This worrying development is widely accepted, despite international agreements and environmental laws that have achieved only limited success. [Tagesschau](https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/ Amerika/klimaschutz-regenwald-tfff-102.html) reports on how crucial the new fund is in the global fight against deforestation.

An innovative approach to forest use

The TFFF takes an innovative approach to strengthening the financial claims of countries that protect their forests. At its core, the fund provides a bonus of $4 per year per hectare protected, while a penalty of $140 applies for each hectare destroyed. To monitor the system, satellite images are used, which enable precise inspection of the forest areas. The goal is to raise a total of $25 billion from funding states and $100 billion from private investors to finance tropical forest protection.

Over 70 countries could benefit from the fund, with some of the money also expected to go directly to indigenous and local communities who are considered effective guardians of forests. However, these funds will only be paid out if there are demonstrable results in forest protection. This conditioning could increase pressure on countries to take concrete measures to preserve their forests. DW emphasizes that the initiative not only represents a call to action, but is also intended as a permanent instrument for multilateral cooperation.

Future prospects and challenges

COP30 is seen not only as a climate summit, but also as a platform for new perspectives on nature in climate policy. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Environment Minister Marina Silva are striving to make progress in climate protection through new impetus. But the challenges are enormous: the financing of climate adaptation measures in developing countries is currently structurally underfinanced. According to current estimates, between $310 billion and $365 billion are needed annually by 2035, while only $26 billion was available in 2023. UFZ addresses the underfunded international public adaptation financing and the geopolitical tensions that could weigh on the course of the conference.

Overall, it can be said: The new tropical forest fund could play a decisive role in international climate protection if it is possible to mobilize the necessary funds and at the same time stop the destruction of the rainforests. The expectations are great, but the road remains rocky.