World Wildlife Day 2025

Question 1: Why is it crucial to invest in both people and our planet, as one approach??

Jorge Oviedo: Investing in people and our planet together is essential because biodiversity conservation and human well-being are deeply connected. We can’t protect ecosystems without considering the communities that depend on them, and at the same time, sustainable human development isn’t possible without a healthy environment. For example, mangrove restoration programs in the Caribbean not only help capture carbon and provide protection against hurricanes, but they also create local jobs and strengthen food security through sustainable fishing. Similarly, community-based tourism initiatives in protected areas across Latin America show that conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.

Eugenio Rengifo: We are part of the same biological community, where the health of the planet directly impacts our well-being. Human and non-human life are undeniably interconnected. Global crises like biodiversity loss are not isolated events; they unfold in specific regions and affect communities worldwide, reminding us that the fate of humanity and nature are intertwined. The degradation of nature and the resulting loss of the benefits and contributions that biodiversity provides to communities becomes painfully evident when they disappear. A clear example is the declining ability to produce and purify water due to the deterioration of wetland ecosystems that have been reduced by 85% globally. Addressing this crisis requires a holistic perspective—not just in understanding the problem but also in crafting solutions. Protecting nature means working with people. That is what true conservation and effective restoration are all about.

Question 2: How do CTFs contribute to sustainable financing, and what is their role in delivering the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model?

Eugenio Rengifo: In Chile, national environmental funds represent an innovative approach to tackling climate change and the biodiversity crisis. This story began with a joint effort between public and private organizations in a broad, cross-sector process that has transcended governments, leading to the creation of the Fondo Naturaleza Chile. This fund has been established as a key mechanism to help Chile bridge the biodiversity financing gap and support long-term solutions for nature. Environmental funds, like those that make up RedLAC – a network of 34 funds across 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean – offer unique guarantees for large-scale conservation. Their responsible and long-term management of resources, transparency in spending and governance, and independence from political and economic cycles make them strategic tools for biodiversity protection. This is especially important considering that nature operates on a much broader timescale than a single government term, a period of economic growth, or a financial crisis. Similarly, PFP initiatives have proven to be an effective response to conservation challenges in the region—provided they are designed in alignment with national priorities, incorporate diverse stakeholders, and strengthen local institutions.

Jorge Oviedo: CTFs play a key role in sustainable financing by securing long-term resources for conservation. Through mechanisms such as endowment funds, payments for ecosystem services, and impact investments, CTFs ensure that biodiversity financing does not rely solely on government budgets or one-time donations. When it comes to the PFP model, CTFs are essential players, as they facilitate the financial structuring and governance of these long-term funding models. A clear example is the National Parks Fund: Herencia Colombia. This initiative, led by Fondo Patrimonio Natural (a RedLAC member) in collaboration with the Colombian government and various international organizations, aims to secure sustainable, long-term financing for the conservation of protected areas in Colombia. By mobilizing significant financial resources and implementing effective conservation strategies, Herencia Colombia ensures the permanent protection of key ecosystems while promoting sustainable development in local communities. Additionally, the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO) has participated in similar initiatives, applying the PFP model to strengthen conservation efforts in Brazil. These experiences highlight how RedLAC’s environmental funds implement PFP projects to enhance biodiversity protection across the region.

Question 3: The recent publication ‘How Conservation Trust Funds Are Driving Progress for Nature’ highlighted the capacity of CTFs to manage and leverage resources to deliver the 2030 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Could you share examples of how this is being achieved?

Jorge Oviedo: CTFs have proven to be effective vehicles for strategically and efficiently channeling resources toward conservation. A standout example is the Conserva Aves Initiative, which mobilizes funding to protect critical habitats in Latin America, supporting 99 protected areas in the process of being created or expanded for biodiversity conservation while strengthening local capacities in protected area management and territorial governance. This initiative benefits 1,205 bird species. Another example is the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), which has developed innovative mechanisms such as blue investment funds to ensure the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems in the Caribbean. Through these mechanisms, CTFs are helping achieve key targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, including the goal of conserving 30% of the planet by 2030 (30×30 target).

Eugenio Rengifo: To advance the mission of CTFs, it is essential to understand conservation financing—what environmental funds do, who they work with, how they assess their partners, and how to share lessons learned and success stories on a global scale. In this context, contributing to the development of report was valuable. In just over two years of existence, Fondo Naturaleza Chile has made significant progress, receiving one of the largest financial donations to coordinate high-impact national programs that are being implemented across the country, laying the groundwork for effective biodiversity conservation. Looking at marine and coastal protected areas, for instance, to meet global biodiversity targets by 2030, the world will need to add 10 million square kilometers of marine protected areas per year. This requires stable funding, long-term management strategies, and inclusive engagement with coastal communities and national authorities to effectively address harmful subsidies, often referred to as “perverse incentives.” Regional funds such as the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MarFund), MedFund, PACÍFICO, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, and the Micronesia Conservation Trust are already moving in this direction, providing effective models for the region.

Question 4: When it comes to strategic conservation and community alliances, how are CTFs strengthening connections between Latin America, the Caribbean, and other regions like Africa and Asia?

Jorge Oviedo: Environmental Fund networks demonstrate that South-South cooperation is key to addressing global conservation challenges. A tangible example is the BRIDGE Project, an alliance between RedLAC and Consortium of African Funds for the Environment (CAFÉ) that promotes knowledge exchange and resource mobilization to strengthen the financial sustainability of protected areas in both regions. We also see collaboration through the adoption of innovative financing solutions. African funds are replicating successful conservation bond financing models implemented in Latin America, while the experience of Asian CTFs in biodiversity offset mechanisms has been valuable for funds in our region. A clear example is the knowledge exchange facilitated by the BRIDGE Project, which fosters learning communities among environmental funds in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. Through this initiative, exchanges take place on financial mechanisms, including the adaptation of compensation models. Additionally, sharing experiences strengthens the capacity of funds in key areas such as communication strategies, resource mobilization, and financial management. These collaborative spaces enhance the ability of CTFs to tackle global conservation challenges with innovative and sustainable approaches.

Eugenio Rengifo: The planet is one, and coordination between funds from different countries and regions is essential to effectively tackle global challenges. Biological corridors do not follow administrative borders, making coordinated action and knowledge-sharing among RedLAC member funds—and with other environmental fund networks worldwide—key to achieving impact. Global commitments demand this level of collaboration. The UNFCCC COP29, which focused on climate finance, brought together nearly 200 countries in Baku, Azerbaijan, reaching a landmark agreement to triple funding for developing nations, increasing from $100 billion to $300 billion annually by 2035. Achieving this requires joint efforts across regions. At the same time, capacity building within and across networks is strengthened. In 2024, Fondo Naturaleza Chile had a great experience working alongside the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MARFUND) on a BRIDGE project, which helped enhance financial mechanism expertise and learn from their regional experience. Likewise, RedLAC has provided Fondo Naturaleza Chile with access to a rigorous and generous learning community, paving the way to fast-track its development and navigate the challenges of establishing a new environmental fund.

Question 5: Finally, what actions can governments, private and public funders, civil society, and businesses take together to support sustainable financing for conservation and community prosperity?

Eugenio Rengifo: The challenge is global, and everyone has a role to play in being part of the solution. Tackling complex issues—such as securing the necessary financing for effective conservation and ecosystem restoration—requires multi-sectoral responses. Public institutions, private sector actors, industries, academia, communities, and the media must all engage and collaborate to build long-term solutions.

Jorge Oviedo: To ensure sustainable financing for conservation, it is essential for all stakeholders to work in a coordinated manner. A highly successful example is the Environmental Compensation Program in El Salvador, where the Environmental Investment Fund of El Salvador (FIAES), a RedLAC member, serves as the ideal mechanism for implementing environmental compensation measures mandated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN). These measures are applied in environmental assessment processes with the private sector, involving civil society organizations. Through this coordinated effort, the government, private sector, civil society, and donors work together to strengthen the management of protected natural areas and safeguard emblematic species in the country. Environmental compensations complement various financing schemes nationwide. Each actor plays a key role and if we can consolidate these efforts within a stable and long-term financing framework, we will ensure that biodiversity conservation and community development go hand in hand, securing a sustainable future for all.

Our thanks and appreciation to Jorge Oviedo and Eugenio Rengifo for sharing their time and insights to mark this World Wildlife Day.