Benefits of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA)
TFCA agreements benefit participating countries and the United States. In addition to promoting forest conservation and providing debt relief, TFCA is intended to strengthen civil society by creating local foundations to support small grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as environmental, community and forestry groups.
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| Forests provide important habitat for wildlife. |
As a number of the TFCA agreements illustrate, the program is also proving a unique opportunity for developing public-private partnerships between governments and NGOs.
Benefits of TFCA to Participating Countries
- Forest conservation – resources that once went to the U.S. Government for debt payments remain in the domestic economy and are re-directed to local organizations that undertake forest conservation activities.
- Redirection of debt payments — U.S. dollar repayment to the U.S. Government may be redirected in local currency toward tropical forest conservation.
- Leverage opportunities – Participation of third parties under the debt-swap option increases the amount of funds available to treat debt.
- Strengthening civil society – grants to community and other non-government groups build grass roots capacity to complement government sponsored activities.
Benefits of Tropical Forest Conservation
- Forests provide multiple ecological, economic and social benefits to people worldwide
- Forests provide food, fuel, shelter, clean water, stable soils, medicines, livelihood and employment worldwide.
- Tropical forests are rich in biodiversity, providing habitat for an estimated 10-30 million plant and animal species, including species essential to medical research and continued agricultural productivity at home and around the globe.
- The conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests can help ensure the above benefits are available to future as well as present generations.
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