"Norway to Pay Brazil $180 Million for Slowing Deforestation"

"Norway has agreed to give $180 million to Brazil as part of a broader $1 billion deal for slowing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, Oslo's environment minister said on Thursday."

"Norway has promised $1 billion each to Brazil and Indonesia for protecting their tropical rainforests and warned Jakarta earlier this year that its progress in reforming its forestry sector will not be sufficient to meet its pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 26 percent by 2020.

Deforestation in Brazil fell to the lowest level in 24 years in 2012, its government said, and Thursday's agreement brings Norway's total contribution to the Amazon Fund to $670 million.

"These efforts have tremendous positive effects for biodiversity, the livelihoods of local communities and indigenous peoples, and local and global rainfall patterns," Baard Vegar Solhjell Norway's environment minister said."

Balazs Koranyi reports for Reuters December 7, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

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"US Envoy's Cutting Remark on Co2 Emissions Fails To Add Up" (Guardian)

"Money Talks -- How the Doha Conference Really Comes Down To Cash" (Guardian)

"Rare Note of Harmony at Doha as Action Agreed on Black Carbon" (Guardian)

"Climate Talks: Endless Treadmill, Without The Health Benefits" (Huffington Post)

"US Disappoints at Doha Climate Talks" (Der Spiegel)

"Tensions Mount as U.N. Climate Talks Near End" (Wall St. Journal)

"World Bank Issues Alarming Climate Report" (NPR)