8 Examples of How Unlocking Sustainable Financing Benefits Nature, People, and Climate
International Day of Biological Diversity offers reminder that durable funding can help secure a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for our planet
By Zdenka Piskulich
Nature underpins every aspect of life on Earth, yet biodiversity is rapidly declining. A 2019 U.N. report revealed that nearly 1 million species face the risk of extinction, while the destructive impacts of climate change is impacting communities, ecosystems, and economies. In response, the Enduring Earth initiative has emerged as a dedicated effort to tackle these challenges.
Anchored by the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model, this approach secures long-term investments in conservation efforts that are tied to measurable goals encompassing social and environmental benefits. Through collaborative design and local leadership, these projects aim to halt nature’s decline and achieve tangible global conservation outcomes. On the International Day for Biological Diversity, we explore 8 examples of how sustainable finance mechanisms, such as the PFP model, benefit nature, people, and climate while building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient planet.
1. Conservation and Protection
Sustainable financing mechanism secure resources to safeguard habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity, and support effective measures for their long-term conservation. The PFP model enables the establishment and management of protected areas and the implementation of conservation and community development strategies that safeguard vulnerable species and ecosystems.
2. Climate Resilience
Sustainable finance investments fund climate resilience projects, strengthening ecosystems and communities’ ability to withstand and recover from environmental shocks like extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and changing climate patterns.
3. Stewards of Lands, Ocean, and Waters
The PFP model is built on a commitment to uphold the rights of people through an approach that respects the knowledge and contributions of Indigenous peoples to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, fostering inclusive and effective conservation strategies rooted in local traditions and sustainable practices.
4. Social and Economic Inclusion
Sustainable finance mechanisms direct investments toward projects that benefit and empower communities and reduce inequalities, contributing to poverty reduction, social equity, and the empowerment of vulnerable populations.
5. Durable Funding
The PFP model is a proven tool that secures stable, long-term funding for nature conservation and community development, ensuring the ongoing protection and management of natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems for future generations. Through this approach, protected areas stay protected.
6. Addressing Climate Risk
Sustainable financing mechanisms help manage financial risks associated with climate change, integrating climate risk management into investment strategies to protect long-term financial returns and promote stability.
7. International Collaboration
Sustainable finance fosters international collaborations and partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and capacity building for effective global conservation efforts.
8. Financial Stability
Sustainable finance integrates environmental, social, and governance considerations into investment decisions, promoting financial stability and resilience while supporting the assessment and management of risks associated with climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequalities.
These eight examples demonstrate how sustainable finance mechanisms positively impact nature, people, and climate through conservation, inclusion of all stewards of the environment, climate resilience, international collaboration, and financial stability.
By embracing sustainable financing, we can pave the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for both humanity and the planet.
Learn more about Enduring Earth and how this collaboration is working with partners to support a healthy planet and provide long-term financing for conservation, economic diversification, and community prosperity.