A public-private partnership or performance-based financial tool that allows private (impact) investors to provide upfront capital for traditionally public projects that deliver social and environmental outcomes. If the project succeeds, the investors are repaid by the Government (Social Impact Bonds), an aid agency, or other philanthropic funder (Development Impact Bonds) with capital plus interest. If the project fails, the interest and part of the capital is lost. While commonly referred to as a "bond", the solution replicates in essence a payment-for-results scheme. It cannot be compared to commercial bonds, green bonds or other impact bonds as an instrument except in that it seeks to repay capital and provide interest. The approach is also referred to as pay-for-success in the United States and as a social benefit bond in Australia. It can be applied to conservation.

State or donor-sponsored financial entity that works in partnership with the private sector to increase investments into green businesses and markets that are underserved by commercial finance. The backing from a Government (or donor) guarantee the Bank can catalyze private investments and introduce new financial products. While the emphasis has traditionally been on renewable energy, the focus of green banks can extend to other environmental areas including conservation and biodiversity.

Merging two or more organizations can produce economies of scale and allow public and private organizations to substantially reduce operational and financial costs. For example, operational costs can be reduced by merging environmental trust funds and protected areas authorities with similar mandates. While not specific to biodiversity, these measures can and should be considered by conservation organizations. The resources saved can be reinvested in conservation.

Insurance schemes that cover against environmental liabilities (i.e. the financial risk associated with environmental pollution and contamination) in exchange for a premium. In addition to preventing future expenditures and thus reducing business risks, they can provide contingent resources for immediate remedial action in the event of an environmental disaster.

Funding instrument that distributes grants (or concessional finance) to profit-seeking projects on a competitive basis. It subsidizes private investment in developing countries where there is an expectation of commercial viability accompanied by measurable social and/or environmental outcomes. Challenge funds can mitigate market risks, while spurring innovation to fight poverty and reduce environmental degradation.

Planning and strategic management tool seeking to link budget allocations with anticipated results. The introduction of result based budgeting (RBB) contributes to achieving cost-savings and better defining priorities in the allocation of scarce public or private resources. While considered a best practice world wide, only a few countries fully implement result based budgeting. It can also be referred to as performance based budgeting or outcome-based budgeting. Its introduction in conservation can help to mobilize additional public resources as well as to increase spending effectiveness.  Results based budgeting is defined as a budgeting process which revolves around a set of predefined objectives and expected results, which, in turn, justify the resource requirements linked to outputs, and where actual performance is measured using objectively verifiable indicators. 

Cluster of cost-effectiveness measures that can enhance an organization's procurement practices and thus free resources for programming. Typical measures include central procurement, digital procurement, process flow analysis, supplier optimization, green procurement, etc. While not specific to biodiversity, these measures can and should be considered by conservation organizations to optimize their spending practices. The resources saved can be reinvested in conservation.

Intergovernmental fiscal transfers redistribute tax revenues across government levels-from national and regional to local jurisdictions-according to agreed principles and priorities. Integrating ecological services means including conservation indices (e.g. size/quality of protected areas) in the fiscal allocation formula-thus rewarding investments in conservation and incentivizing the expansion of protected areas, forests or other natural capital.

Increasing the amount of taxes, fees, and other financial revenues derived (or not) from biodiversity related resources that are earmarked (ring-fenced), retained or returned for direct use on sustainable biodiversity management. The retention or return of these revenues can align incentives of various actors, increased funding available, and improve service provision. There is a risk that they produce an incentive to overuse resources for an organization's financial gain. This is often more politically feasible when revenue share partially goes to sustainable development. Examples - PA fees in Galapagos - all go to treasury then 50% back to municipalities, address livelihoods of artisanal fisheries to reduce pressure on biodiversity.

Private transfers from a migrant worker (i.e. living in a foreign country for one year or longer) to a receiver (often but not limited to family) in his/her country of origin. When remittances are not used to respond to immediate consumption needs, they can be saved and invested at the benefit of the local economy/ community/ environment of the worker’s country of origin. Diaspora bonds, saving products and investments are all available instruments to channel resources towards conservation and other sustainable development investments.