Ana Toni: COP30 "will mark a turning point" in climate finance.

São Paulo, Sep 4 (EFE) - The executive director of the upcoming UN climate summit (COP30), Brazilian Ana Toni, said Thursday that the event "will mark a turning point" in the way climate finance is addressed globally.

Toni, who delivered a video address at the opening of the Third Latin American Green Economy Forum, organized by EFE in São Paulo, highlighted that for the first time, new financing mechanisms for decarbonization are being discussed, including tools that reward services dedicated to ecosystem preservation.

"The climate debate always focuses on energy, and that's logical because it accounts for more than 70% of emissions. But forests, oceans, and mangroves continue to be neglected, and it's time to change that," Toni said.

Rainforest Forever Fund

In her message, the executive emphasized that Brazil, with an electricity grid composed of 90% renewable energy, wants to go beyond the energy transition and place conservation at the center of the green economy.

In this regard, he referred to the Tropical Forest Forever Fund (TFFF), a new economic mechanism created by Brazil that will be officially presented at COP30, to be held in November in Belém.

"This isn't a donation fund, but rather a tool that will allow for remuneration per hectare of standing forest," Toni explained.

Guardians of nature

This mechanism seeks to recognize and reward those who preserve ecosystems, such as indigenous peoples, rural communities, farmers, and private actors who conserve areas beyond what is required by law.

"So far, there is no economic instrument that guarantees the preservation of standing forests. The TFFF is an innovation that can change that," he said.

In addition to the Tropical Forest Fund, Brazil will propose at COP30 a "basket of economic instruments" that will include payments for environmental services linked to mangroves and so-called "blue carbon," associated with marine ecosystems.

Low-carbon economy

This agenda, which began to be discussed during Brazil's G20 presidency, will be consolidated at the climate conference as part of a strategy to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

During his speech, Toni also called for expanded dialogue on the green economy, incorporating local authorities, the business sector, and civil society.

FLEV is a space for debate on energy transition and sustainable development. This third edition is sponsored by ApexBrasil, Brazil's export and investment promotion agency; Norte Energia, the concessionaire of the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant; and Lots Group, a company that provides solutions for the decarbonization of the logistics sector.

Strategic alliances in the FLEV

The forum also has the support of Imaflora, the Climate Observatory, and IBMEC University, in whose auditorium the meeting is being held.

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