At the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, KfW announced new funding agreements totaling nearly EUR 960 million to support environmental and climate protection initiatives. The majority of this funding, about 87%, will be provided as loans, with roughly EUR 79 million allocated as grants for rainforest protection.
KfW CEO Stefan Wintels addressed the conference, emphasizing the link between environmental protection and economic stability. "The Paris climate targets and the strengthening of the German economic area go very well together. We just have to do it right and take the opportunities of the rapidly growing market for sustainable technologies," said Wintels. He highlighted Germany's strong position in this sector but also stressed that wealthier nations must assist poorer countries in preserving vital habitats such as the Amazon.
Wintels noted ongoing threats to global biodiversity: "More than 50 per cent of the world's forest area has already been destroyed, and biodiversity is declining every day. This issue also concerns us in Europe."
Among KfW’s commitments are loans to Brazilian cities like São Paulo for expanding renewable energy infrastructure and electrifying public bus transport. Another loan will go to Brazil’s federal government to support innovative companies and projects focused on decarbonization. These measures are expected to create further opportunities for German businesses operating in Brazil, where São Paulo already hosts around 1,200 German firms.
Grants designated for forest conservation will be directed into the Amazon Fund—an international mechanism aimed at fighting deforestation—and towards partnerships with local communities engaged in protecting forests.
“Our partnerships and funding projects with Brazil and other international players are not one-offs, but are part of a global commitment to environmental, species and climate protection which is also in the European interest,” said Wintels.
“This benefits not least the German economy, which is already active in Brazil and can open up further markets.”
A recent study by KfW Research and Deloitte found that companies prioritizing sustainability gain better market access while reducing risks. The report indicates that German clean tech industries currently represent 13% of global trade in their field—almost double Germany’s overall share of world exports—and forecasts suggest that if current trends persist, this market could double within a decade or quadruple by 2045.
Through its activities at COP30, KfW aims to foster growth for climate-friendly technologies globally while supporting Germany’s role as an innovation hub for sustainable business practices.