What is Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF)?

• Initiative by: Brazil 
• About: It is a global fund formed on the sidelines of COP-30 in Belem, Brazil for providing a long-term finance to make forest preservation a viable economic model.
• Objectives: To incentivize the conservation and expansion of tropical forests by making annual payments to Tropical Forest Countries (TFCs) that maintain their standing forest. 
• Funding Mechanism: The facility seeks to mobilize approximately $125 billion through a mix of public (20-25%) and private investment (70-80%). 
  • The returns generated from these investments will then be used to pay nations that successfully conserve their forests.
• Eligibility: The TFFF could support over 70 TFCs that meet certain criteria, such as annual deforestation rate below 0.5%; fair resource allocation to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, etc.

Importance of Forest Conservation

• Climate Regulation: Collectively, Forests absorb about 7.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually (as per Global Forest Watch), helping slow global warming.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: Tropical forests cover only 7% of Earth’s surface, but hold 50% of global biodiversity (WWF).
• Soil Conservation: Forests reduce soil erosion and prevent flood intensity by stabilizing slopes.
• Other: Economic Value (trade in timber, rubber, etc.); Livelihood and Cultural Support; Medicinal Resource Base; Rainfall and Hydrological Cycle, etc.