Norway announces R$250 million donation to the Amazon Fund at COP28

On Monday (11/12), during COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Norway announced a donation of US$ 50 million (around R$ 250 million) to the Amazon Fund. The contribution recognizes the results obtained by Brazil in the combat against deforestation: there was a 50% drop in the area under deforestation alerts in the Amazon from January to November compared to the same period last year, according to data from INPE's Deter system.

» High-resolution photos (Flickr)

The 50% reduction in deforestation in the Amazon in 2023 is the result of President Lula's capacity to take directed measures. This is important for Brazil and the world. The Amazon Fund is more important than ever for combating deforestation and contributing to sustainable development in the Amazon and it is therefore fair that Norway contributes R$250 million to this work”

Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway

"The 50% reduction in deforestation in the Amazon in 2023 is the result of President Lula's capacity to take directed measures. This is important for Brazil and the world. The Amazon Fund is more important than ever for combating deforestation and contributing to sustainable development in the Amazon and it is therefore fair that Norway contributes R$250 million to this work," said Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Norwegian Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen participated in the announcement with Minister Marina Silva at a panel in the Brazil Pavilion to celebrate the fund's 15th anniversary.

"Norway has been a pioneer and the main donor to the Amazon Fund in these 15 years of partnership. The announcement made by Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen is a recognition of results such as the 50% reduction in deforestation in the Amazon from January to November 2023. Brazil has a commitment to zero deforestation by 2030, and the support of Norway and other partner countries is fundamental. Our objective is to create a new cycle of prosperity that keeps the forest standing and respects indigenous and traditional peoples," said Marina.

In September, when he met with the Norwegian Prime Minister during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Lula highlighted that Brazil is Norway's biggest trading partner outside Europe, and that the country is a big contributor to the Amazon Fund, which was restarted in January after four years of abandonment.

WHAT IT IS - The Amazon Fund was created by President Lula in 2008 and allowed international support for the combat against deforestation in the country, with payment for results obtained in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Norwegians were the first donors to the Amazon Fund, and contributed around R$3 billion from 2009 to 2018. The fund was paralyzed in 2019, by decision of the previous government, with around R$4 billion in cash donated by Norway and Germany.

The resumption of the fund in January was accompanied by the return of an effective deforestation control policy, with enforcement actions and the launch of the new Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm) in June.

"Once again President Lula is showing that strong and determined policies bring results. It's a great honor to celebrate 15 years of the Amazon Fund with Minister Marina Silva today. There is great symbolism in announcing a resumption of contributions to the Amazon Fund at this COP," said Bjelland Eriksen. "Brazil's success is extremely important for the region, but also for the world. With strong efforts to reduce deforestation and ambitious targets to reduce climate emissions, Brazil acts as a global leader and driver of this agenda," added the Norwegian minister.

Minister Marina Silva during the panel that discussed progress and prospects for the Amazon Fund. Photo: Estevam/Audiovisual/PR

NEW DONATIONS - Since January, new donations have been announced for the Amazon Fund totaling around R$3.9 billion: R$2.5 billion from the US, R$711 million from the UK, R$250 million from Norway, R$186 million from Germany, R$107 million from Denmark, R$106 million from the European Union and R$28 million from Switzerland. "The support demonstrates credibility, respect for the results that the fund has already achieved and a vision of the future for a sustainability agenda for the region," said Nabil Kadri, the BNDES' environment superintendent, who is responsible for managing the Amazon Fund.

WHAT IT'S FOR - The resources support Ibama and ICMBio inspection actions and the implementation of the PPCDAm, among other initiatives. The plan has four thematic axes: sustainable production activities; environmental monitoring and control; land and territorial ordering; and regulatory and economic instruments aimed at reducing deforestation and implementing the actions covered by the other axes. "In 15 years, resources and projects assisted by the Amazon Fund have benefited at least 250,000 people," said Kadri. Today, the fund is present in more than 60% of all indigenous territory in the Amazon region. The area protected with resources is more superior to the combined territories of Norway, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom in protected areas.