TFFF Concept Note

Summary of Topics Covered in the Public Consultation on the TFFF Concept Note 2.0

Key topics addressed in the submissions included:

Forest Degradation – Respondents discussed how forest degradation should be measured, exploring the adequacy of available indicators, implications of different canopy cover thresholds and payment rates, and the importance of comprehensive approaches to capturing environmental changes in tropical forests.

Forest Definition and Biome Eligibility – Comments considered the types of forest ecosystems that should be eligible for support, raising questions about the inclusion of different forest biomes such as mangroves, peatlands, and seasonal forests alongside tropical moist broadleaf forests.

Tropical Forest Country Eligibility Criteria – Feedback examined the criteria for countries to participate in the TFFF, including considerations beyond deforestation rates, such as social safeguards, and how the mechanism might support broader inclusion over time.

Forest Monitoring Systems –Submissions commented on the role of satellite-based remote sensing, as well as the value of incorporating ground-level monitoring led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and third-party verification, to ensure credibility and accountability.

IPLCs Rights and Participation – The consultation received strong engagement on the role of IPLCs in forest conservation and how the TFFF should ensure meaningful participation and benefit-sharing. Submissions addressed the importance of governance representation and mechanisms for direct payments.

Governance – There were suggestions on the proposed TFFF governance structure to have the TFIF Board sit under the overall guidance of the TFFF Board, and to have permanent IP&LC representation on the TFFF Board. 

Grievance Redress Mechanism – Contributors highlighted the need for an accessible and credible system through which concerns and complaints can be raised and addressed.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Safeguards – Responses called for the TFFF to adopt comprehensive ESG frameworks aligned with international standards. These standards should guide both investment decisions by the TFIF board to ensure Paris-alignment of the investment portfolio, and also the governance, disbursement, monitoring, and accountability structures relating to the use of funds by Tropical Forest Countries. 

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Metrics for Civil Society Engagement

I. Global webinar

• Over 600 registrations
• Over 300 attendees
• Presentations and recordings in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Bahasa

II. Global comments through TFFF.earth

• 30 organizations provided substantive comments through the website

III. Civil society dialogues

Summary

• Civil society dialogues counted here spanned Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America
• Approximately 105 civil society organizations outside of Brazil engaged in these dialogues
• Civil society representatives from approximately 30 countries engaged in these dialogues

Brazil

• 3 in person dialogues, with between 30-50 participants each
• 1 national webinar with 660 participants
• Government of Brazil participation in each of these.

Indonesia

• 3 civil society dialogues, virtual and in-person
• 1 additional civil society dialogue planned for July
• At least 25 civil society organizations participated in these sessions
• Government of Indonesia as observer in one session

DRC

• 1 civil society dialogue, in-person
• 10 civil society organizations participated in this session
• Government of DRC as observer in this session

FERN Global Convening side event

• 1 civil society dialogue, in person
• 55 civil society organizations participated in this session
• Civil society participants from 28 countries
• Government of Brazil as presenter in this session

European Virtual Dialogue

• 1 civil society dialogue, virtual
• Approximately 15 civil society organizations participated in this session
• Civil society participants were from approximately 7 countries
• Governments of UK, Germany, Norway, and Netherlands participated as observers in this session

Climate Action Network Dialogue

• 1 civil society dialogue, virtual
• Approximately 60 people representing national and global organizations participated
• Participates from over a dozen individual countries and multiple global networks
• Government of Brazil participated

Notes: Colombia sessions are still to take place.