Knowledge base

The report examines Uzbekistan’s public biodiversity funding from 2020 to 2022 and forecasts spending for 2024 to 2028. Environmental and biodiversity expenditures are notably low, at 1.62% and 0.5% respectively. It underscores the need for a budget tagging system to align spending with biodiversity commitments, which would enhance data tracking and analysis. The report also outlines three future spending scenarios and offers recommendations for biodiversity conservation.

Biodiversity Credit Alliance's (BCA) Latest Issue Paper on Biodiversity Credit Market Integrity surveyed comparable review mechanisms to inform the key review steps and overall approach to ensure quality and integrity. Review processes typically include five key steps, from application to the final written assessment. A review should be based on clear principles, guidelines, and criteria. Such criteria must include considerations related to the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities as rights holders and custodians of a majority of the world’s biodiversity. This issue paper represents one part of the BCA's work towards achieving quality and integrity in the biodiversity credit market. 

Since 2014, more than 40 countries have developed national Biodiversity Finance Plans (BFPs) and more than 85 countries have started to design Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) in recent years. Both processes are currently being significantly expanded. In line with UNDP's vision, financing for sustainable development should drive progress towards the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the global biodiversity framework in an integrated manner.

This brief note aims to explore the optimal integration of INFFs and BFPs at the national level and provide guidance to country offices and national stakeholders.

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The new BIOFIN Mexico brochure presents a comprehensive overview of the initiative, providing detailed information about its work, objectives, and financing solutions. This material offers an accessible and clear look at the activities carried out and the strategies implemented for biodiversity conservation. Additionally, the brochure highlights the team's commitment and their contribution to sustainable development, while also showcasing the achievements to date. It is a valuable tool that informs about the initiative's work and its impact on biodiversity protection.

El nuevo folleto de BIOFIN México presenta una visión completa de la iniciativa, proporcionando información detallada sobre su trabajo, objetivos y soluciones de financiamiento. Este material ofrece una mirada accesible y clara a las actividades realizadas y las estrategias implementadas para la conservación de la biodiversidad. Además, el folleto destaca el compromiso del equipo y su contribución al desarrollo sostenible, sin dejar de lado los logros obtenidos hasta la fecha. Es una herramienta valiosa que informa sobre el trabajo de la Iniciativa y su impacto en la protección de la biodiversidad.

In the COP15, countries agreed to a Global Biodiversity Framework which sets targets to protect 30% of the earth’s land, inland waters, oceans and coastal areas by 2030 with emphasis on areas important for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Expanding restricted spaces for conservation may present transition risks to mining, agriculture and tourism sectors if applied in the Philippines.  The Philippines has sound strategies and comprehensive environmental laws and policies, but some penalties need updating.  Taxes, subsidies, fines, and penalties if set high enough, are effective mechanisms to discourage pollutive activities and promote green practices. Policies to attract green investments using incentives are found in the Green Jobs Act and AFRD or the Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act. These recent laws refer to “green” activities, but the term will need further definition.

Biodiversity financing requires significant investments, but public budgets are inadequate. The BIOFIN public and private biodiversity expenditure study shows scenarios where better alignment of public budgets can augment spending for biodiversity in the ENR sectors. Private finance will be needed to augment financing for “green” activities with nature-positive outcomes and climate change adaptation. The Philippines recently published a Sustainable Finance Road map which outlines plans to raise finance through a mix of tools, including better disclosures and the adoption of a green taxonomy. The Philippine Financial System holds substantial assets where a large part is held by banks. The larger banks lend more to the capital-intensive sectors, whereas the smaller banks lend to agriculture and retail consumers, mostly MSMEs. Regardless of size, bank portfolios are exposed to climate and nature risks.

This technical brief highlights the findings and recommendations of the study conducted by BIOFIN Philippines on the country’s readiness for nature-related finance disclosures. The study assessed Philippines’ institutional, policy and regulatory readiness for disclosure of nature-related finance and risks. It also assessed the institutional arrangements readiness and capacities of national and local associations of economic agents and put forward a set of entry points and recommendations moving forward.

Photo credit: Photo by Department of Tourism and Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines

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At the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity 15 (CBD COP 15) in 2022, countries agreed to review and update their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and to develop, update and implement national Biodiversity Finance Plans (BFPs).

The NBSAPs serve as the basic policy framework for the implementation of the CBD at the national level and BFPs aim to close the biodiversity financing gap and support efforts to achieve the NBSAP targets.

This report provides a brief overview of the two policy mechanisms, emphasizes their complementarity and guides their joint development to deepen their impact.

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This publication was produced within the framework of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) Argentina project. The analysis and conclusions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme, its Executive Board, or its Member States.

UNDP builds partnerships at all levels of society to help nations withstand crises and promotes and sustains growth that improves the quality of life for all. Present on the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local knowledge in service of people and nations.

This publication was produced within the framework of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) Argentina project. The analysis and conclusions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme, its Executive Board, or its Member States.

UNDP builds partnerships at all levels of society to help nations withstand crises and promote and sustain growth that improves the quality of life for all. Present on the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local knowledge in the service of people and nations.

This publication was produced within the framework of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) Argentina project. The analysis and conclusions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme, its Executive Board, or its Member States.

UNDP builds partnerships at all levels of society to help nations withstand crises and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. Present in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local insight to empower people and nations.

Well-intentioned subsidies targeting socio-economic goals can have unintended negative impacts on nature.

Our exceptional speakers shared knowledge and best practices on how to identify and redesign harmful subsidies and improve their positive impacts on people and nature.

Speakers:

• Haoliang Xu, Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature (Minister for Nature), United Kingdom
• Maria Teresa Becerra, Chief of Office, International Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Colombia
• David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, FAO Moderator:
• Francine Pickup - Deputy Assistant Administrator of UNDP and Deputy Director in the Office of Policy and Programme Support, UNDP

Download the guidelines on harmful subsidies

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UNDP BIOFIN and UNEP FI launch a new partnership aimed at strengthening support for countries via a Public-Private Community of Practice for Nature and Development Finance, which will engage public and private actors to share thought-leadership and practice on emerging topics and challenges including debt sustainability, debt for nature conversions, the biodiversity credit markets, nature-based solutions, the voluntary carbon market, sustainability-linked bonds and loans, and impact finance. The collaboration includes a webinar series aimed at public officials to help better understand the possible application of private finance to their NBSAP review and implementation. This webinar is aimed at supporting CBD Parties to better understand the possible application of public and private finance to their NBSAP revision and update. BIOFIN and UNEP FI will provide an overview of the partnership and its goals, will introduce the recently released briefing note, and will gather information from the audience about which topics they would like to learn more about and what they would like to gain from this partnership.

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