With an ambition to unlock US$30 billion for nature by 2035, UNDP-BIOFIN supports countries to turn nationally owned Biodiversity Finance Plans into lasting financial results.
Its work has demonstrated a return of US$50 in biodiversity finance for every US$1 invested in finance solutions—illustrating how targeted support can unlock resources at scale. By using ODA as seed capital, partners can help countries establish the policies, institutions and financing mechanisms needed to mobilize larger pools of recurring funding for nature.
This Compendium brings together those opportunities developed, owned and implemented by countries through Biodiversity Finance Plans. They provide a foundation for mobilizing new resources, aligning existing public and private spending with biodiversity goals, and using available funding more effectively.
National priorities, practical investment opportunities
Each country profile presents a selection of investment opportunities drawn from its Biodiversity Finance Plan. These reflect national priorities and different stages of implementation: some build on approaches already tested, while others establish the policies, institutions and mechanisms needed to mobilize finance.
The opportunities span public finance, private investment and sector-specific solutions. They include:
- Aligning public finance with nature: strengthening biodiversity budgeting, tracking expenditure, and redesigning incentives and spending that harm biodiversity.
- Mobilizing private capital: developing green and blue financial instruments, risk-sharing mechanisms, and partnerships with businesses and financial institutions.
- Generating recurring revenues: strengthening protected-area financing, payments for ecosystem services, ecotourism and other sustainable revenue sources.
- Building the foundations for implementation: supporting institutions, regulatory frameworks and the preparation of finance solutions.
Together, these investments can help countries build durable financing systems that support conservation, restoration, livelihoods and economic development.
How “finance for finance” works
An initial investment can support the policy reforms, institutional capacity, technical design or financial structuring needed to put a finance solution into practice. This could mean establishing a payment for ecosystem services scheme, improving protected-area revenue systems, integrating biodiversity into public budgets, or developing financial instruments that attract private capital.
The aim is for this initial support to unlock financing that continues beyond the original investment. Depending on the solution, this may take the form of recurring revenues, sustained public budget allocations, lending aligned with biodiversity priorities, or additional private investment.
Download the Compendium
Partner with countries to finance nature
We invite development partners, funders, financial institutions and businesses to explore opportunities aligned with their priorities and expertise.
Support can help countries advance individual finance solutions or strengthen the systems that enable several solutions to work together. Each partnership starts with national ownership and a shared objective: using today’s investment to build lasting financing for nature.
Contact the UNDP-BIOFIN team to discuss an opportunity or connect with a country team.
