The Government Extends Tropical Forest Initiative to 2035

'Halting deforestation is crucial for limiting climate change and biodiversity loss. To ensure that this work continues, is more important than ever,' the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said about the announcement.

Deforestation accounts for around 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, roughly four times more than global air traffic. The rainforest is also home to over two-thirds of the world's land based animals and plants.

'Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative has delivered good results. We are now sending a clear signal to the world that this is work that we will prioritise in the future. Norway will continue to play a central role in developing global forest cooperation,' Støre said.

Progress in the world's largest rainforest countries

Norway collaborates with several tropical forest countries that have managed to reduce deforestation dramatically in recent years. Brazil has reduced deforestation in the Amazon by around 65 percent in a year and a half. Indonesia's deforestation remains at one of its lowest levels in 20 years, and Colombia reports the lowest deforestation numbers in a decade. Ethiopia has both protected forests, restored large areas, and significantly increased its forest cover.

The Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment praised these countries for their strong results and good cooperation.

'During President Lula's previous term, Brazil reduced deforestation in the Amazon by 80 percent and cut emissions equivalent to around 80 years of Norway’s emissions. After some difficult years, Brazil is now repeating this success. Brazil's leadership will be crucial leading up to next year's climate summit in the Amazon," said Tore O. Sandvik, Norway’s Minister for Climate and Environment.

In addition to bilateral partnerships, the Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) has also contributed to providing the world with high-resolution satellite images of all rainforests, securing the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, encouraging and enabling businesses to demand deforestation-free products, mobilizing private finance for high-integrity carbon credits, increasing efforts against organized forest crime, and raising the profile of rainforest issues globally, including in global negotiations.

The critical decade

Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) was established in 2008. In 2024, the government increased funding for the initiative by NOK 1 billion, bringing the total allocation this year to over NOK 4 billion.

The initiative was initially set to continue until 2030, but the government has now decided to extend it to 2035.