On the sidelines of the World Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil (COP30), Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) reiterated that Germany supports international climate finance. On Sunday evening, he defended the fact that the federal government did not mention the specific amount of its participation in the TFFF tropical forest fund.Today’s topic. “We in Germany always comply with federal budget regulations, and we also need clear counterfinancing.”
This is currently being “resolved,” Schneider said and spoke of “significant amounts.” Since the funding won’t start until a year or two later, there’s no time pressure. “It is very important for us to support international climate finance and also make Brazil’s presidency of the COP a success.” The goal is to “continue to collaborate around the world on climate protection, as well as adapt to the changes people are experiencing in tropical forests.”
Schneider defended Germany’s role in climate protection
The SPD politician refutes the assessment that Germany is not carrying out its pioneering role in climate protection. “The impression is wrong.” In this context, Schneider referred to agreements with his European counterparts on the EU’s climate targets by 2040 and Germany’s greenhouse neutrality by 2045. “These goals did not previously exist as law, now they do.” That’s what they do Federal Government used.
The black-red coalition recently agreed to reduce air transport ticket taxes from July 2026. Overall, the German aviation industry will have to pay around 350 million euros less in taxes. With this in mind, Schneider says it’s an individual action. The total amount of the climate protection package is significant.
The tropical forest fund offers incentives for rainforest conservation
For Brazil Government, tropical forest fund The Forever Tropical Forest Facility (TFFF) is a prestige project that President Lula, as host of the meeting, wants to help make a success of in a high-profile manner. Countries that conserve their forests should be rewarded according to the fund’s model. Instead, they have to pay fines for every hectare of forest damaged.
Annually, a fund with a target volume of 125 billion US dollars (around 108 billion euros) could distribute around 4 billion US dollars after a certain start-up period – at least that is what the Brazilian government has in mind. This amount is almost three times the amount of international forestry financial assistance currently available.
Norway has announced that it will contribute $3 billion to the fund over ten years. Brazil itself will contribute one billion US dollars, and Indonesia also wants to contribute one billion. Both countries have extensive tropical forests.
Federal Minister of the Environment in Brazil since Saturday
Federal Environment Minister Schneider traveled to Brazil on Saturday. “Any change or major change to the rainforest in Brazil will sooner or later be felt in Germany,” Schneider said shortly after arriving for talks with Belem Mayor Igor Normando. Therefore, he is grateful that the Brazilian government has spoken out loudly in support of rainforest protection. Germany wants to support this.
Over the weekend, Schneider visited local projects and businesses in the rainforest around Belém and was shown, among other things, how rubber is produced and açaí berries are harvested. The minister also visited a park project supported by Germany.
