President Biden launches $10 billion Brazilian forest restoration program during his historic Amazon visit.
In an important development for global climate action, President Biden announced the formation of a $10 billion Brazilian forest restoration program. The Brazil Restoration & Bioeconomy Finance Coalition (BRB Finance Coalition) was announced during his landmark visit to Manaus, Brazil, on November 17, 2024. The Brazilian forest restoration program announcement marks the first time a United States President has visited the Amazon region, the historic visit highlighting the increasing urgency of forest conservation efforts.
Lula da Silva’s return to Brazil’s presidency in 2023 marked a decisive shift in environmental policy. During his earlier terms he achieved an 80% reduction in Amazon deforestation through strengthened enforcement and Indigenous rights protection. His current administration reversed previous deregulation policies and set new conservation targets.
The Amazon rainforest absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide and contains 10% of the world’s known biodiversity. By prioritizing forest protection, Lula’s policies help preserve an ecosystem that’s critical for meeting global climate goals, while providing a stable and supportive environment for the Brazilian forest restoration program to flourish.
The coalition aims to mobilize at least $10 billion by 2030 to accelerate forest conservation and Brazilian forest restoration across its diverse ecosystems. This public-private partnership brings together major financial institutions, conservation organizations, and government entities to support Brazil’s environmental goals, making it one of the most comprehensive forest restoration programs in the world.
The scale of this initiative becomes clearer when compared to other international forest conservation efforts. The African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative AFR100 has mobilized $1.5 billion since 2015, while Indonesia’s forest protection program with Norway resulted in $56 million in results-based payments. The Brazilian forest restoration program’s $10 billion target represents a significant scaling up of global forest conservation funding.
The initiative’s concrete targets include:
- 5 million hectares of Brazilian forest restoration and conservation
- Sequestration of at least one gigaton of CO2 emissions through various projects by 2030
- Investment of $500 million in programs benefiting Indigenous peoples and local communities, with a particular focus on the Amazon region
The $10 billion funding will be strategically allocated across multiple sectors:
- 40% for direct forest restoration activities and conservation
- 25% for sustainable agriculture and forestry projects
- 20% for Indigenous community support and local development
- 15% for monitoring systems and technological infrastructure
To ensure accountability and track progress, the coalition will implement advanced monitoring systems using:
- Satellite imagery and remote sensing technology
- Artificial intelligence-powered deforestation detection
- Blockchain-based verification of carbon credits
- Real-time monitoring of restoration projects
- Community-based participatory monitoring programs
The coalition aligns with Brazil’s broader environmental strategy, including the Brazilian Ecological Transformation Plan and existing climate initiatives. It will focus on key bioeconomy activities, including low-emissions agriculture and forestry projects, supporting Brazil’s ambitious goal to restore 12 million hectares of forest by 2030.
The Instituto Clima e Sociedade, supported by the Nature Investment Lab, will serve as the coalition’s secretariat throughout 2025. The group plans to announce concrete outcomes at the UN Climate Summit COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in late 2025.
Recent data demonstrates Brazil’s progress in forest conservation, with a 47 percent reduction in Amazon deforestation rates over the past two years. BNDES, Brazil’s national development bank, has already committed more than 1 billion Brazilian reais through various programs, including BNDES Florestas and the Floresta Viva program, which focuses on restoration activities across all Brazilian biomes.
The initiative emphasizes the critical role of the Amazon in global climate regulation, weather patterns, and biodiversity preservation. The coalition aims to demonstrate that environmental conservation can coexist with economic development through targeted investments in sustainable practices and forest restoration.
The World Bank Group’s support includes financing Banco do Brasil’s program to restore forests and pastureland, while also developing bioeconomy initiatives on priority rural land. Additionally, the International Finance Corporation invested in a Sustainability Linked Bond issued by Natura Cosméticos in July 2024, focusing on improving sourcing of bioingredients in the Brazilian Amazon.
The coalition’s launch during Brazil’s G20 Presidency signals a strategic moment for mobilizing financial resources for large-scale restoration and bioeconomy activities, establishing a framework for public, private, and civil society collaboration in nature-based solutions.
