The UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation (FfB) have developed a nature-positive working model, providing guidance on how financial institutions can help to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Drawing on insights from more than 100 experts from the financial sector, scientists and global stakeholders, the model emphasises the need to drive economic transformation and achieve measurable positive outcomes in areas such as sustainable use, conservation, and restoration of nature – as well as enabling solutions. Building on the nature finance definitions developed by the World Bank Group, the guide is also aligned with recommendations from the Nature Positive Initiative. “The model highlights key market needs such as improved measurement, data practices, and reducing barriers to nature conservation and restoration finance,” a statement from UNEP FI read. “It is a stepstone towards a comprehensive framework to further guide financial institutions on contributing to the nature-positive global goal across different asset categories in their portfolios.” The discussion paper underscores the role of the financial sector in supporting transformative actions required to achieve the Global Biodiversity Framework’s (GBF) goals – highlighting the importance of sustainable taxonomies, measurable outcomes, and traceable financial flows. It also aims to drive global dialogue around defining and tracking nature-positive financial flows, with a special focus on preparing for national-level reporting on D3 — a headline indicator of the GBF monitoring private finance flows to nature. Beyond the upcoming COP16, FfB and UNEP FI said they would working with their members and partners to expand the concepts developed in the paper into a ‘Finance for Nature Positive’ framework. They encouraged government representatives, scientists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the wider financial sector and other stakeholders to review the paper and provide input through a questionnaire.
