The world spends less than $90 billion a year on conservation and nature protection. In comparison, governments spend more than $5 trillion every year on subsidies for fossil fuels. We must divert funding from harmful activities and into the protection and recovery of nature.
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The protection and restoration of the natural world receives a fraction of the funding given to harmful industries.
The Paulson Institute report examining the biodiversity funding gap estimated that agricultural, forestry, and fisheries subsidies that degrade nature are worth between $300bn-$600bn – two to four times the amount that flows into conservation annually. This doesn’t take into account fossil fuel subsidies, which the IMF calculates are worth $5.3 trillion annually, with direct subsidies valued at more than $520bn.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity calculated that $900 billion was needed to protect and restore nature worldwide. The proposal for a $500 billion yearly funding commitment would scale upwards by $50 billion year on year.
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Governments, international bodies, investors and donors should work to redirect harmful financing and investment to nature-positive activities, and create the conditions for more nature investment. These changes can increase by at least $500bn the amount directed into the active protection and recovery of nature.
We want to see
To coincide with the 2020 UN Summit on Biodiversity, FFI delivered a letter to the UN Secretary-General – signed by almost 150 conservation groups from over 50 countries – urging member states to collectively commit an initial $500 billion in funding for nature conservation worldwide. Join us in calling on the governments of the world to step up and take this responsibility seriously – before it’s too late.
Governments and the private sector must actively prioritise and be fully accountable for all decisions that affect nature
Divert funding from harmful activities and into the protection and recovery of nature
Reform decision-making structures to empower local people on the conservation front line
Halt the destruction of the natural world to reduce threats to climate stability and human health
Provide and ensure wide access to new technological tools that help address the biggest threats to nature
Ask the UN to commit to $500bn a year for nature.
FFI works on over 140 projects around the world protecting threatened species and habitats. Donate to support our vital conservation work on the ground.
The Five Breakthroughs for Nature are fundamental for a healthy planet. Share the solutions for a more prosperous natural world.
FFI’s scientists and staff are pioneering the latest conservation methods around the world to target the biggest threats to nature. Contact our specialists for further advice and information on the Five Breakthroughs.
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Our one home
Humanity faces an uncertain future, but these Five Breakthroughs for Nature represent our best chances of protecting and restoring the ecosystems on which we all depend, reversing the loss of the biodiversity that is fundamental to life on Earth, and avoiding catastrophic climate change.
