Norway has announced that it will "donate an additional $50 million to the Brazilian Amazon Fund to support the preservation of the rainforest region," marking the first new contribution from the northern European country since the fund was frozen by former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019. Brazil and Norway announced the donation at the UN climate summit COP28 in Dubai. Deforestation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil.
In his first act as the new President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reopened the Amazon Fund to protect the world's largest rainforest. However, the fund can only receive donations once Brazil reduces deforestation. Under Bolsonaro's administration, forest destruction reached its highest levels in 15 years. Lula has boldly reinforced environmental law enforcement since taking office, leading to a decrease in deforestation rates.
The Brazilian Ministry of the Environment stated that "Norway made the donation in recognition of a nearly 50% reduction in the deforestation rate during the first eleven months of Lula's administration." Environment Minister Marina Silva mentioned that "Brazil is committed to ending deforestation by 2030, and Norway's support is essential." The Bolsonaro government had closed the Amazon Fund, citing unspecified irregularities with non-governmental organizations that received grants without providing evidence. Norway is the largest donor to the fund to date, having contributed approximately three billion Brazilian reais ($606.13 million) before the freeze.
