![](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Vi-vokter-regnskogen-forsidebilde.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&fit=clip&q=90&w=800&s=2999b048e035146ea2d47a22a350a7ea 800w, https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Vi-vokter-regnskogen-forsidebilde.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&fit=clip&q=90&w=1100&s=26664bb631e0291490392f486e00b735 1100w, https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Vi-vokter-regnskogen-forsidebilde.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&fit=clip&q=90&w=1400&s=1f4de4f6ee770132481d3be1e0a394ac 1400w, https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Vi-vokter-regnskogen-forsidebilde.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&fit=clip&q=90&w=1700&s=766245f31ac6d219f605708c5fea0784 1700w, https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Vi-vokter-regnskogen-forsidebilde.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&fit=clip&q=90&w=2000&s=9b018aa354510f23f45e5824fcef1176 2000w)
Rainforest Foundation Norway Annual Report 2023
The past year's global political momentum for the rainforest began to bear fruit in 2023. Deforestation was reduced by 9% compared to 2022, and a total of 44 993 km2 of tropical rainforest – an area the size of Switzerland – was put under sustainable management.
This shows that we have the tools we need to save our rainforests – provided there is a political will to use them.
Nevertheless, we still lost 37.000 square kilometers of tropical rainforest in 2023, inching us further toward climate catastrophe and dealing a further blow to our planet's already fragile biodiversity. Now is the time to do everything we can to preserve our remaining rainforests, using the tools we know work: supporting indigenous people's rights to manage their own lands and removing economic incentives for deforestation.
In terms of the latter, the European Union's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which went into force in 2023, could potentially be a true game changer. If adequately enforced, the EUDR can remove the opportunity to make money from deforestation in Europe. It remains to be seen, however, whether the EUDR can resist private-sector pushback or a political change in the European Parliament. We also have high hopes for the national biodiversity plans that several countries have developed in 2023, setting new targets for protection of rainforests through improved national policies and measures.
Above all, our hope for the remaining rainforests lies with our partners: Indigenous communities, local organizations, and political activists who courageously and tirelessly resist the forces of deforestation. We owe them our gratitude and our support.
RFN collaborates closely with about 60 local and national environmental, Indigenous, and human rights organizations in 6 countries in the Amazon region (Brazil, Peru, and Colombia), Central Africa (DR Congo), and Southeast Asia and Oceania (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea). In DR Congo, RFN has a country office.
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Our hope for the remaining rainforests lies with our partners: Indigenous communities, local organizations, and political activists who courageously and tirelessly resist the forces of deforestation.
Tørris Jaeger, Executive Director RFN Norway.
At a glance: Global policy breakthroughs in 2023
- The total global area of rainforests under sustainable management increased by 44 993 km2.
- RFN successfully advocated for increased funding for Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative (NIFCI), leading to an increase from 3 billion to 4 billion NOK.
- RFN coordinated engagement from eight investors towards five automotive groups as part of our 'Investor Working Group for a Deforestation-Free Automotive Industry' push.
- RFN engaged with Chinese investors and invited a select group of Chinese investors to Oslo, where they were given tailored presentations by Norwegian financial institutions (FIs), demonstrating best practice sustainable investment practices.
![Tre personer sitter på et podium mens en av dem snakker i mikrofon. Foto.](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/cop28bjellanderiksen.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&q=90&w=750&s=0898a3a4f5bc534e2f94f28e499d807b)
INCREASED FUNDING: Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Brazil's Minister of Climate and Environment, Marina Silva and the UK's Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart at the COP28. RFN successfully advocated for increased funding for Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative (NIFCI), leading to an increase from 3 billion to 4 billion NOK. Photo: Julie Wentzel Frøland/Rainforest Foundation Norway
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PROTEST: Brazilians protest the proposed Marco Temporal thesis in Brazilia in July, 2023. The proposal was defeated, but would have been a considerable setback to Indigenous tenure rights if it had been adopted. Photo: Shutterstock
In 2023, deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell by nearly 50% compared to the previous year, which was the lowest recorded deforestation rate in the last five years. Data published by the National Space Agency INPE1 showed that 5153 km2 of the Amazon were cleared in 2023, down from 10278 km2 in 2022.
Yet, the threats in rainforest territories remained. This is particularly the case for illegal mining, drug trafficking, and various forms of organized crime. And while the political leadership has a clear socio-environmental agenda, much of our Brazilian partners' resources go towards rebuilding systems for rainforest protection that had been systematically dismantled under the previous federal Government.
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SOCIAL: Two squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) on a branch in the Amazon rainforest. These social little animals live in large groups of over 200 individuals. Photo: Thomas Marent
Key results from Brazil in 2023:
- RFN partners mobilized to stop the Marco Temporal (Time Frame) thesis in the Supreme Court, which would have been a considerable setback to Indigenous tenure rights.
- RFN partners advocated the implementation of the National Quilombola Territorial and Environmental Management Policy. This policy will help conserve socio-biodiversity, protect cultural heritage, promote public policies, and guarantee territorial and environmental rights of Quilombola communities.
- The National Bank of Socio-Economic Development (BNDES) launched new, enhanced measures to restrict financing to rural owners linked to illegal deforestation, with RFN partners providing input.
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PARTNER: Elaine Shajian Shawit from the Awajun people is the first female leader of CORPI, an organisation representing 10 different indigenous groups from the Amazon rainforest in northern Peru. RFN partners with CORPI to protect Indigenous rights and rainforest lands in Peru. Photo: CORPI
There are still no calculations on deforestation in Peru in 2023. The most recent information available is from 2022, through analyses by Global Forest Watch and the University of Maryland. They estimate that Peru lost about 1,620 km2 of rainforest in 2022 – an increase of 6.7% compared to 2021- the fifth highest on record.
In 2023, a series of legislative proposals aimed to weaken the institutional framework for isolated peoples and hinder the creation of indigenous reserves. If passed, these would legalize several forms of deforestation, including road construction through indigenous territories. The changes would further allow for weaker regulation around land use change, and at least 300 cases of environmental crimes may be pardoned.
RFN and our partners have led high-visibility pushbacks against these legislations.
![](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Inkaskrike_RFT_03028_Photo_Thomas_Marent1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=499&q=90&w=750&s=0bb6a5632ba0cf129857694e7cf108a8)
CLOUD FORESTS: The Inca jay (Cyanocorax yncas) is native to the cloud forests of the Andes. One of its most distinctive calls sounds like an alarm bell. Photo: Thomas Marent
Key results from Peru in 2023:
- After years of advocacy work by our partners, ORAU and ORPIO, The Multi-Sectoral Commission on isolated peoples' issues approved the categorization study for establishing a 5000 km2 reserve for isolated peoples in Ucayali and Loreto. This is the last step before formal creation by a 'supreme decree' by the Minister of Culture.
- In the Wampis Nation's territory in Peru, a mining company was stopped and expelled from the Wampis Ayambis community.
- Our partner ORPIO, with technical support from RFN and legal assistance from our partner IDL, won a court case annulling 24 logging concessions in the Yavarí-Tapiche and the Yavarí-Mirím territories.
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PARTNER: Patrick Hemedi Saidi is the national coordinator of RFNS partner organization La Dynamique des Groupes des Peuples Autochtones (DGPA), an umbrella organisation representing a number of local initiatives working for the rights of indigenous peoples in DR Congo. Here he is speaking to members of a local community. Photo: DGPA
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) vast tropical forests continue to decline at an average of around 0.3% per year since 2002. In 2023, DRC lost 5,260km² of tropical rainforest - up from 5,130km² in 2022. In 2023, the DRC was the country with the highest rate of primary forest loss, after Brazil.
Logging, mining, and agriculture remain the most significant contributors to deforestation, with oil and gas concessions in areas overlapping with intact forests and traditional territories of IPLCs, setting the stage for increased deforestation rates in the years to come.
Politically, 2023 was marked by presidential, legislative, and local elections in the DRC, as well as a deterioration of the conflict situation in North and South Kivu. Despite this, the DRC government continued efforts to strengthen its environmental policy within the sectors of land-use planning, land tenure, and forestry.
Furthermore, several laws and policies in favor of forest protection and/or Indigenous peoples and local communities’ rights were either passed or came into force.
![](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Om-regnskogen/Dyr-og-planter/Fjellgorilla_ThomasMarent8916.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=502&q=90&w=750&s=442c5c4539fe68662cc44196196ba0cd)
GORILLA: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) can be found in the rainforests of the Virunga mountains in the eastern part of DR. Congo. There are around a thousand of these amazing animals left on Earth. Photo: Thomas Marent
Key results from DR Congo in 2023:
- RFN and partners achieved important engagement from 148 newly targeted communities in North Kivu, Tshopo, and Equateur through their free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) to be accompanied in the community forestry process, an important step in sustainable forest management.
- RFN's partners were able to support two communities in North Kivu (IKA and Batiri Nyabayu-Biruwi) in implementing basic management plans (Plan Simple deGestion – PSG).
- In November, the Land-use Planning Law was adopted by the Senate and, as a result of advocacy by RFN and partners, contained several articles that provide for IPLC consent and participation in decision-making, the protection of the global environment, and the protection of rights already acquired by IPLCs.
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![Tømmerleir og ned-hogde trær.](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Nyheter/PNG-Tommer.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&fit=clip&q=90&w=750&s=ab84b9eb13cc53ed9995a12d6c6c4288)
LOGGING: Tropical timber is a major driver of deforestation in Papua New Guinea. Photo: RFN
This year, Papua New Guinea (PNG) pledged to end round log exports by 2025 and established a partnership for Forests, Nature in the Climate at COP28.
This pledge was a critical government commitment as PNG is the world's largest exporter of tropical round logs, exporting over three million cubic meters annually in the last years. A significant portion of this is illegally harvested. At the national level, the Government has accepted the Climate Change Regulation and policy on free prior and informed consent.
However, PNG faced a declining economy in 2023, intensifying pressures on the forests and the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. Despite 97% of lands belonging to local communities, they remain unprotected in many places. PNG's response to economic decline includes promoting "impact projects" and Special Economic Zones, potentially increasing mining, logging, and palm oil activities.
Furthermore, weak governance, lack of accessible data on forests and concessions, corruption, and a decline in the economy continued to hinder the implementation of stronger environmental laws and policies.
![](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Kasuar-croppet_Photo_Thomas_Marent1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=764&q=90&w=750&s=5a7cdfa597c812a511287b8a96e85634)
AGGRESSIVE: The cassowary (Casuarius) is an ostrich bird native to Papua New Guinea and northeastern Australia. They are known to be aggressive and territorial. Photo: Thomas Marent.
Key results from Papua New-Guinea in 2023:
- The Government pledged to end round log exports by 2025 after a successful public campaign led by RFN partner ACT NOW!, which garnered support through media coverage in a national newspaper.
- A Supreme Court Decision on an Access to Public Information request led by RFN partner CELCOR, set a precedent for challenging government restrictions on public information related to natural resource development.
- Public campaigns against continued exports and actions by the National Forest Board, including a moratorium on new Forest Clear Authority projects, contributed to a significant reduction in round log exports in 2023.
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INDIGENOUS: An Indigenous man from Kalimantan province in Indonesia. Photo: Jon Dalsnes Storsæter/RFN
Indonesia's rainforests faced ongoing threats from commodity-driven deforestation, worsened by the return of El Niño, which triggered drought and forest fires. With these challenges and the rising commodity prices linked to forest clearance, deforestation rates in Indonesia increased slightly from the low levels of 2021 and 2022.
Agriculture, industrial palm oil, and pulpwood expansion continue to pose significant risks to Indonesia's rainforests. Additionally, policies favoring investments and extractive industries remain in place. The revised Green Taxonomy, biofuel policies increasing the demand for palm oil, and regulations enabling land grabbing for carbon projects also represent setbacks for preserving Indonesia's rainforest.
On the positive side, Indonesia launched its first direct funding mechanism for IPLCs, the Nusantara fund, in May 2023. The fund will start disbursements in 2024.
![](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/paradisfugl_shutterstock_1302710131.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=90&w=750&s=aab4fc112019928d2e896eaebebdad37)
DANCE: The Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata) belongs to the family of birds called birds of paradise. They are native to Indonesian Papua the island of New Guinea. The males of the species are known for their remarkable plumage and their elaborate courtship rituals. The Western Parotia puts on a spectacular dance performance in its attempts to woo females. Photo: Shutterstock
Key results from Indonesia in 2023:
- Three clans in Teluk Bintuni, West Papua, were granted formal collective rights as Indigenous Communities (Masyarakat Hukum Adat/MHA).
- By the end of 2023, around 63,700 km2 were recognized under various social forestry schemes, an increase from 53,000 km2 in 2022.
- RFN partner Madani's input on strengthening mechanisms for the establishment of social forestry was incorporated in Presidential Regulation 28/2023. This achievement was attributed to Madani's persistent advocacy efforts as a facilitator among stakeholders seeking to protect rainforest areas.
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MINISTER: Colombia's Minister of the Environment, Susana Muhamad. The minister expressed Colombia's commitment to protect 80% of the Amazon rainforest by 2025. Photo courtesy of the Colombian Embassy in Oslo.
In the first nine months of 2023, Colombian deforestation dropped by 70% compared with the same period. Furthermore, a record number and size of Indigenous territories were formalized in 2023: in total, 72 territories and approximately 2,000 km2 of tropical rainforests were put under some form of Indigenous management.
On a national policy level, Colombia's Minister of the Environment, Susana Muhamad, expressed Colombia's commitment to protect 80% of the Amazon rainforest by 2025.
These developments are momentous achievements for protecting the rainforest and indigenous people's rights.
Under President Petro, ongoing peace efforts with armed groups include environmental protection as a crucial part of the peace negotiations. RFN partners such as FCDS play a key role. So far, at least ten illegal armed groups have agreed to the ceasefire.
Nonetheless, the situation on the ground remains fragile, with conflict and drought threatening to reverse the positive trend. Armed groups continue to challenge the territorial rights of Indigenous Peoples in areas such as Guaviare, Caquetá, Putumayo, Amazonas, and Guainía.
![](https://regnskog-cloud.imgix.net/images/Amazonas/Brasil/Brasil-dovendyr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=515&q=90&w=750&s=de680eb382fc6031968958d6cfeed5ed)
SLOW: A three-toed sloth (Bradypus). Sloths can be found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, including Colombia. They are known for their slow movements. Photo: Shutterstock
Key results from Colombia in 2023:
- RFN's partners presented recommendations that were included in the Colombian Government's four-year National Development Plan, including the consolidation of 72 agreements on environmental and territorial issues between the indigenous and the national Governments.
- RFN partner Etnollano supported two Indigenous councils in the Guainía region in creating life plans– an important step towards the formal establishment of Indigenous municipalities.
- For the first time, Indigenous representatives from our partners were included in the Colombian Government's official delegation to COP28 in Dubai.
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International institutional funding
Rainforest Foundation Norway focused on generating visibility towards prioritized indigenous and local communities-led initiatives at key international arenas including the Amazon Summit in Belém, the New York Climate Week or COP28 in Dubai. This helped further boost funding diversification in 2023 with over 141 million NOK (approximately US$ 13.5 million) of institutional funds raised in 2023. These funds are to be used between 2023 and 2027. In 2023, the share of non-Norwegian institutional funds was 15%, being the double of the share at the start of the 2018-30 strategy period.
In 2023, this international funding base counted 9 philanthropies: Climate Land Use Alliance (CLUA) with Ballmer Group funds, Bezos Earth Fund, Ford Foundation, CLUA with William+Flora Hewlett Foundation funds, Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, Peter Opsvik Foundation, Rainforest Trust, Sobrato Philanthropies and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) with Bezos Earth Fund).
This has allowed RFN to scale up strategic programmatic areas, such as securing funding for the long-term protection of two vast corridors of isolated Indigenous peoples across the Peru and Brazil border, incubating an innovative funding mechanism in DRC, governed by Indigenous Peoples (IP) and Local Communities (LCs) to demonstrate how community-based rainforest management can contribute to economic development and poverty alleviation, empowering indigenous peoples and local communities to monitor and engage with emerging carbon markets and finance mechanisms in the Amazon, supporting indigenous management and control of critical rainforest areas in Colombia and Indonesia, halting illegal logging and strengthening civil society in PNG – in addition to general support towards RFN’s work across the 6 rainforest countries, global policy and drivers of deforestation.
Fundraising in Norway (individual and corporate)
In Norway, individual donations plateaued, due to rising inflation and the energy crisis, impacting regular support from monthly donors through our Rainforest Guardians.RFN deployed a number of activities to generate visibility and engagement:
- Content marketing
- Cross-platform campaigns: “Vi Vokter Regnskogen” and “La Stå” Matching donation challenges
- A vibrant rainforest mural
- Screening events
- Direct marketing
- Web shop promotions
Corporate funding also suffered from these downward trends. But greater incentives for companies to take action on climate or nature have helped maintain strategic catalytic funding from leading, responsible corporate actors including (and not limited to) Fortum, Norgesenergi (part of Fortum from 2024), REMA 1000, Det Norske Veritas, Unil, Norgesgruppen, HK Norge, Bergen Live, HELP Forsikring, Elis, Dyreparken, Cultura Bank, Jörns Resor, Høiax systems, Glittertind, CLP and Bain & Company Norway.