Germany announced a substantial pledge to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a Brazil-led initiative unveiled ahead of COP30 to protect tropical forests. The fund targets $125 billion and could disburse roughly $4 billion a year once fully ramped up, using an initial $25 billion in public commitments to leverage about $100 billion in private investment. Founding members include Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, the DRC, Indonesia and Malaysia; Brazil and Indonesia each pledged $1 billion, Norway around $3 billion over 10 years, and Germany is expected to contribute similarly. Around 70 developing countries could benefit, with 20% of funds earmarked for indigenous peoples and local communities.
Germany Pledges Billions to Brazil-Led $125 Billion Tropical Forest Fund Ahead of COP30
Germany announced a substantial pledge to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a Brazil-led initiative unveiled ahead of COP30 to protect tropical forests. The fund targets $125 billion and could disburse roughly $4 billion a year once fully ramped up, using an initial $25 billion in public commitments to leverage about $100 billion in private investment. Founding members include Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, the DRC, Indonesia and Malaysia; Brazil and Indonesia each pledged $1 billion, Norway around $3 billion over 10 years, and Germany is expected to contribute similarly. Around 70 developing countries could benefit, with 20% of funds earmarked for indigenous peoples and local communities.
00:11, 08.11.2025Environment
Germany backs Brazil-led Tropical Forest Forever Facility ahead of COP30
Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday in Belém that Germany will contribute "a significant amount" to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a new multibillion-dollar fund launched by Brazil to protect tropical forests. His remarks came at a summit of heads of state and government on the eve of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP30.
What the TFFF proposes
The TFFF, officially unveiled on Thursday and supported by 53 countries — including 19 prospective state investors — aims to raise $125 billion. After an initial ramp-up the fund could disburse about $4 billion a year, nearly three times the current annual volume of international forest finance. Under the plan, countries that keep their forests intact would be rewarded, while penalties would apply for every hectare lost. Monitoring and verification would rely on satellite imagery.
Brazil's model calls for wealthier countries to voluntarily provide an initial $25 billion, intended to leverage roughly $100 billion in private investment over the coming years. Founding members named so far include Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia and Malaysia. Brazil and Indonesia have each pledged $1 billion; Germany is expected to offer a similar commitment; Norway pledged about $3 billion to be disbursed over 10 years, and France is reportedly considering €500 million.
Impact, safeguards and distribution
Some 70 developing countries with tropical forests could potentially benefit. Recipient countries would be required to allocate 20% of their disbursements to indigenous peoples and local communities. Proponents say the TFFF could be transformative for forest protection and climate mitigation if promised public and private contributions materialize and robust governance, monitoring and accountability measures are implemented.
"Tropical forests are one of the most important places to store carbon worldwide and a habitat for people and countless animal and plant species," Merz said, underscoring the need to preserve forests and mobilize private-sector funding.
Next steps
The initiative's success now hinges on firm commitments from wealthy states and private investors and the establishment of clear rules for payments, monitoring, penalties and benefit sharing. If implemented effectively, the TFFF could significantly increase international finance for forest conservation and support indigenous and local communities who steward those ecosystems.