The third Conference of the Parties (COP30) has rightfully earned the title “Nature COP,” with forests taking centre stage in global climate diplomacy in a way not seen in decades.
Brazil, as host, deliberately placed forest protection at the top of the agenda, creating momentum for a long-overdue transformation of the global forest finance architecture.
At the centre of this shift is the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)—a bold, permanent financing mechanism designed to reward forest countries for keeping their forests standing.
For Ghana, a committed tropical forest nation and a leader in innovative forest programmes, the TFFF represents one of the most consequential climate finance opportunities in a generation.
New model
For decades, forest countries like Ghana have protected forests that serve the world, yet the financing offered in return has been small, unpredictable, and short-term.
TFFF changes this paradigm.
Built around a USD 125 billion investment fund, the facility uses its annual returns to provide predictable rewards to countries based on their standing forest cover.
This means Ghana will be paid not only for reducing deforestation, but also for maintaining, expanding, and restoring forests over decades.
Its funding is not dependent on annual donor budgets or shifting political winds.
It is designed as a permanent global mechanism—an insurance policy for forests.
The TFFF structure also includes an unprecedented equity dimension: 20% of all funds are reserved for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
They are the real custodians of forest landscapes.
COP30 Scale, commitment
The TFFF was formally launched at the COP30 Leaders’ Summit, backed by more than USD 5.5 billion in initial public pledges from Brazil, Indonesia, Norway, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal. More than 50 countries have expressed political support.
Complementing this, the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) launched a Forest Finance Roadmap, estimating the global tropical forest finance gap at USD 3–6 billion annually.
I co-chaired the FCLP with former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, from 2022 to 2024.
For countries like Ghana, with proven REDD+ results, the Cocoa-Forest Programme, and forest restoration initiatives, this signals the beginning of a new era in which meaningful resources finally match ambition. (REDD+ stands for “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.
It’s a UN-led framework designed to create financial incentives for developing countries to protect their forests and reduce emissions from deforestation.
The + symbol covers activities such as conservation and sustainable forest management, and enhancing forest carbon stocks.
Norway’s USD 3 billion, 10-year pledge positions it as the largest anchor financier of the TFFF and underscores the seriousness of this new model.
Strategic positioning
Ghana’s role in the TFFF began early. In 2024, Ghana joined the facility’s design process as one of six pioneering forest countries, alongside Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This early leadership allowed Ghana to shape governance arrangements, monitoring requirements, and benefit-sharing structures.
Ghana’s track record strengthened its influence.
The Forestry Commission’s delivery of Africa’s first jurisdictional REDD+ results-based payments under the Cocoa-Forest REDD+ Programme remains a continental milestone.
Ghana’s consistent performance in forest monitoring, transparency, and community engagement sets it apart as a credible partner within the TFFF.
Success story
One of the clearest signals of Ghana’s commitment to forest restoration is the success of Green Ghana Day, initiated in 2021 under my leadership as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
Over the years, this annual national mobilisation has resulted in the planting of around 50 million tree seedlings across the country.
Green Ghana Day, now rebranded as “Tree for Life”, demonstrates what Ghana can achieve when government, communities, and the private sector rally behind a shared goal.
Under the TFFF, such national efforts would receive predictable, long-term financing, enabling Ghana to scale restoration, expand community forestry, and rehabilitate degraded reserves.
TFFF, Ghana
Ghana stands to benefit in three key ways: First, by rewarding standing forests, TFFF provides Ghana with a predictable annual revenue stream that can support conservation, restoration, and rural development.
Second, with 20 per cent of funds dedicated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, forest-fringe communities across Ghana would benefit directly through jobs, payments for ecosystem services, and alternative livelihoods.
Third, Ghana’s forest sector accounts for more than 45 per cent of its emissions reduction potential.
The TFFF ensures Ghana can meet, and even expand, its climate commitments.
Road ahead
COP30 has delivered major wins: a global finance roadmap, strengthened land tenure pledges, and renewed ambition from the largest forest nations. But the real test lies ahead.
The world must back the TFFF with the scale of resources needed to protect the forests that sustain our climate.
For Ghana, and for all tropical forest nations, the TFFF is more than a funding mechanism. It is a chance to rewrite the economic logic of forest conservation.
It is a chance to compensate those who maintain the lungs of the planet by holding on to its forests.
The writer is MP for Damongo, the Global Lead, Africa Centre for Nature-based Climate Action, former co-chair, Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
