Norway Gives $50 Million to Amazon Fund – Latest News – NRK

Norway gives $50 million to Amazon fund

During the Amazon Fund’s 15-year mark at COP28, Norway is today announcing a $50 million contribution to Brazil’s efforts to reduce deforestation.

– Reducing deforestation in the Amazon by 50 percent by 2023 is another result of President Lula’s ability to take targeted action. This is important for Brazil and the world, says Prime Minister Jonas Karstor.

This is Norway’s first contribution since 2018.

– Amazon funding is more important than ever to stop deforestation and contribute to sustainable development in the Amazon, so Storr says it is right that Norway gives 50 million dollars to this work.

As a result of the budget settlement with SV, an additional 1 billion was earmarked for rainforest conservation.

– The reason we’re announcing this now is because the budget settlement with the Labor Party and SV brought in an extra 1 billion for rainforests. This makes it possible to do more than we can, Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Ericsson tells NRK in Dubai.

The Amazon Fund was created by President Lula in 2008 to receive international contributions to Brazil’s efforts to curb deforestation.

Funding from the Amazon Fund for new projects was frozen from September 2019 to December 2022, following the previous Brazilian government’s decision to abolish the Amazon Fund.

On January 1, 2023, President Lula signed a Presidential Decree restoring the Fund’s governance structure, reactivating the Amazonas Fund.

From its establishment in 2009 to 2018, Norway has contributed a total of NOK 8.3 billion to the fund.

Erickson also praised President Lula for his strong leadership.

– Once again, President Lula shows that strong and targeted policies produce results. Erickson says it’s a great honor to celebrate 15 years with the Amazon Fund today alongside Environment Minister Marina Silva.

Since the start of the collaboration, Brazil has reduced its emissions from deforestation nearly equal to Norway’s regional emissions in 80 years.

– These are some of the most important climate measures we have taken in the 15 years we have cooperated with Brazil, and it helps reduce emissions 79 times the total emissions of Norway, Eriksson tells NRK.