Knowledge base

Egypt’s Biodiversity Finance Policy and Institutional Review (PIR) highlights the significant national financing gap for biodiversity conservation, while recognizing Egypt’s growing commitment to addressing this challenge through policy reform and international engagement. The review situates biodiversity as a key driver of Egypt’s economy, supporting sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and energy, and underscores the substantial economic value of ecosystems such as coral reefs, protected areas, and rangelands. It finds that Egypt has a strong strategic and institutional foundation for biodiversity conservation, anchored in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and Egypt Vision 2030, and related national strategies on climate change, energy, tourism, agriculture, water, and urban development. However, biodiversity remains underfunded within the national budget, despite increasing allocations to green investments and ongoing reforms to phase out environmentally harmful subsidies.

The PIR reviews existing biodiversity finance mechanisms at the site, national, and international levels, noting reliance on international funding alongside emerging domestic and innovative finance approaches. It also analyzes stakeholder roles and engagement, identifying key institutions critical for advancing biodiversity finance reform. The review concludes with recommendations to strengthen governance and coordination, improve economic valuation of biodiversity, integrate biodiversity into national financial and planning systems, and expand innovative and private-sector financing, including corporate social responsibility (CSR), Public Private Partnerships (PPP), and Results-based Budgeting. Key priorities include reforming protected area revenue systems, eliminating harmful subsidies, deepening engagement with finance and planning authorities, and developing a National Biodiversity Finance Plan to systematically mobilize and allocate resources for long-term biodiversity conservation in Egypt.

Colombia, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, faces a significant financing gap to meet its biodiversity and climate commitments, despite allocating around USD 660 million annually. Since 2015, UNDP, through its BIOFIN initiative, has supported the promotion of innovative financial solutions such as payments for ecosystem services and access to public and private funding. In parallel, key risks affecting the effectiveness of biodiversity investments have been identified, including environmental, social, and financial risks. To mitigate these, UNDP—through BIOFIN and the Investment Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), in partnership with the Colombian Federation of Insurers and other partners such as Previsora, Suramericana, South Pole, WWF, and Pipra—has promoted the development of specialized insurance products. This insure instrument, implemented through mechanisms like Habitat Banks and the Water Fund, aim to protect investments against critical risks, foster nature-based investments, and ensure the sustainability of conservation efforts.

El presente documento es un extracto de la versión extendida Biodiversity-related Risks and the Financial System: Evidence from Mexico desarrollado por Serafín Martínez Jaramillo; Luis Onésimo Escobar; Karina Caballero; Carlos López y Saúl Basurto. El estudio fue encargado por la Iniciativa Finanzas de la Biodiversidad (BIOFIN), del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo en México (PNUD)con el objetivo de integrar las consideraciones sobre biodiversidad en el sector financiero, identificar riesgos y oportunidades derivados de la degradación y conservación de la naturaleza, respectivamente, y la creación de condiciones habilitantes para la participación del sector en los esfuerzos de conservación. El documento completo puede consultarse en este link.

This document is an excerpt from the extended version Biodiversity-related Risks and the Financial System: Evidence from Mexico developed by Seraf ín Martínez Jaramillo; Luis Onésimo Escobar; Karina Caballero; Carlos López and Saúl Basurto. The study was commissioned by the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme in Mexico (UNDP) with the aim of integrating biodiversity considerations into the financial sector, identifying risks and opportunities arising f rom nature degradation and conservation, respectively, and creating enabling conditions for the sector's participation in conservation efforts. The full document can be consulted through this link.

El presente documento expone el ejercicio de desarrollo entre los equipos técnicos de
BIOFIN y JPRF de una propuesta de regulación de divulgación de asuntos sociales, ambientales y de
gobernanza, a ser emitida por la Junta de Política y Regulación Financiera y orientada a sus sistemas,
sectores y entidades reguladas. Se plantea un sustento técnico jurídico que establezca la relevancia y
oportunidad en la emisión de una regulación tomando en cuenta el marco normativo, análisis
comparativo con otros países y capacidades actuales de dichas entidades. Adicionalmente se han
desarrollado propuestas de ámbito de la regulación y categorización y progresividad de la norma.

This policy brief presents key insights from a recent study proposing a strategic redesign of Rwanda’s Clean Cooking Results-Based Financing (CC-RBF) scheme. The brief explores how the CC-RBF could be enhanced to accelerate the country’s transition from traditional firewood use to cleaner, more sustainable cooking technologies.

The proposed redesign is not a finalized policy but a set of evidence-based recommendations aimed at addressing pressing environmental and social challenges. These include reducing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, improving public health, and promoting social equity—particularly for women and children who are most affected by traditional cooking practices.

The brief suggests scaling up access to clean cookstoves, targeting implementation in biodiversity and deforestation hotspots, and integrating sustainable fuel alternatives such as LPG and biomass briquettes. It also emphasizes the importance of robust monitoring systems, public awareness campaigns, and support for local innovation.

Aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and its climate commitments, these proposals provide a roadmap for a more inclusive and resilient transition to clean cooking. The accompanying policy brief outlines three potential pathways for implementation, offering a foundation for informed dialogue and future action.

As Rwanda continues its journey toward sustainable development, a recent study offers valuable insights into how the Crop Intensification Programme (CIP) could evolve to better support biodiversity and social equity. While the CIP has played a vital role in boosting agricultural productivity, the study highlights environmental and social challenges linked to its current subsidy model—particularly the reliance on inorganic fertilisers and monocropping practices.

The findings suggest that a phased reduction of inorganic fertiliser subsidies, especially in rice cultivation, could help mitigate biodiversity loss and soil degradation. The policy brief proposes reallocating resources to promote organic fertilisers, strengthen farmer support systems like the Girinka programme, and invest in research, extension services, and sustainable land management.

Importantly, these recommendations are intended to inform ongoing dialogue and policy development, offering a roadmap for aligning agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

This work supports Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and provides a foundation for future discussions on how to balance food security with ecological resilience. Stakeholder engagement, inclusive decision-making, and adaptive management are central to the proposed approach.

This pioneering study assesses the financial risks associated with biodiversity loss in Mexico, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Using an innovative approach that combines socioeconomic data, input-output matrices, environmental dependency and impact assessments (ENCORE), and spatial analysis with geolocated firm data, the report estimates the exposure of Mexico’s financial system to physical risks (such as water stress) and transition risks (such as the expansion of protected areas). The findings reveal that up to 66% of national output, 70% of employment, and 53% of the credit portfolio could be at risk due to high dependencies or impacts on ecosystem services. The study also identifies key industries and presents concrete scenarios to illustrate how nature-related risks can propagate through supply chains and affect the financial system. This assessment provides critical empirical evidence to inform public policy and strengthen risk management strategies among financial institutions and regulators.

La Guía de Bonos Temáticos de la Bolsa de Valores de Guayaquil presenta lineamientos prácticos para la emisión de bonos temáticos en el sector real de la economía, empezando desde una evaluación inicial para la toma de decisiones hasta la estructuración legal y financiera para la oferta pública de estos instrumentos.

The Study on Nature-Related Financial Risks in Zambia draws on lessons and insights from international experiences, tailored to Zambia’s unique context. It serves as a national diagnostic, assessing how financial institutions are both exposed to and impacting nature and biodiversity.

The report directly supports Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls on businesses to assess, disclose, and reduce biodiversity-related risks and impacts. It also contributes to advancing the work of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) by providing locally grounded insights for financial decision-makers.

The Biodiversity Finance Strategy (BFP) aims to maximize the impact of resources allocated for conservation through a strategic framework that facilitates the conditions for the National Biodiversity Strategy and its Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025-2030 to achieve its goals by efficiently mobilizing national and international financial resources that fund the country's needs. BIOFIN employs a globally validated methodological and strategic framework to analyze and prioritize funding requirements, identify new investment opportunities, and develop innovative finance solutions.

Rwanda is exploring innovative ways to make its tourism sector more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. This policy brief, summarized the potential of redesigning the country’s tourism tax incentive to better support biodiversity, equity, and climate resilience.

The policy brief proposes a dual-track tax incentive system—one that maintains benefits for large-scale investors while introducing a new pathway for smaller developers who adopt certified green technologies. This approach could help reduce ecological harm, promote innovation, and create more opportunities for local businesses in eco-tourism.

The key findings offer a strategic direction for aligning fiscal incentives with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which prioritizes sustainable development and a clean, resilient environment. The policy brief also highlights key environmental challenges linked to tourism infrastructure, such as habitat fragmentation and water pollution, and suggests ways to address them through policy reform.

This brief is intended to inform dialogue among policymakers, investors, and conservation stakeholders. It invites further discussion on how Rwanda can lead the way in sustainable tourism by integrating environmental performance into investment incentives.