Photo: screengrab from the official website of Brasil 247

By Brasil 247 - Brazilian President Lula opened the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) on Monday in Belém, Pará, marking a historic moment for both Brazil and the world. The conference stands out as a turning point in the global climate effort, with Brazil's leadership driving a new phase of cooperation and investment in sustainable development.

Initially questioned as a host city, Belém has proven itself fully capable of organizing an event of global scale. Its upgraded infrastructure, efficient logistics, and vibrant cultural atmosphere have showcased the Amazonian capital's diversity, hospitality, and environmental commitment. The city has become a living symbol of hope and a sustainable future, reaffirming the Amazon's central role not only as a biome but as a cornerstone of the planet's ecological balance.

A groundbreaking fund for the world's tropical forests

Among the key announcements, the creation of the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) stands as a concrete achievement in Brazil's environmental diplomacy. Proposed by the Brazilian government, the fund aims to protect over 1 billion hectares of tropical forests across more than 70 developing countries while allocating at least 20% of resources to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

The TFFF already has $5.5 billion in initial commitments: Norway, Indonesia, and France pledged $3 billion, $1 billion, and $500 million, respectively, while Brazil contributed $1 billion. The initiative aims to mobilize up to $125 billion in the coming years, creating a long-term financing mechanism for forest conservation and green economic transformation.

A new financial model for conservation

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad emphasized the fund's innovative structure: "There is capital from investors, who will be remunerated by a basic rate. These resources will be lent to finance projects defined by the committee. The difference between the interest rate paid to investors and the rate charged to borrowers will fund the payment for environmental services."

This model blends public and private financing, creating a mechanism that rewards preservation rather than destruction. The World Bank was authorized in October to temporarily host the fund's secretariat, pending the establishment of the Tropical Forest Investment Fund (TFIF), which will operate under a national jurisdiction.

Strong rules and global cooperation

The TFFF prohibits investments in activities with negative environmental impacts such as coal, oil, and gas, channeling its resources to projects that keep forests standing. Countries failing to meet preservation targets will face penalties. The initiative was designed by Brazil in cooperation with nations including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Colombia, as well as funders like the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, France, and the United Arab Emirates.

Brazil's leadership in the new climate era

COP30 in Belém will be remembered for its tangible outcomes. The launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Fund marks a paradigm shift — from promises to practice, from words to investment. Under President Lula's leadership, Brazil has reaffirmed itself as a global environmental power, setting an example for nations seeking to grow sustainably while protecting the planet's vital ecosystems.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on November 10, 2025)