Despite some successes, COP16 ended in disappointment with crucial finance agreements delayed - read WWF’s closing statement here.
 
Overall, COP16 saw just $163 million in funding for biodiversity committed - about 0.1% of the $200 billion needed to reverse nature loss by 2030. This makes unlocking and mobilising increased private capital for nature essential. And on this front, COP16 was well-attended by representatives from the private sector, and financial institutions in particular, and saw some positive outcomes:
 

• Early-stage funding for Nature-based Solutions
  EIB and WWF will collaborate to mobilize early-stage funding worth €0.5 billion for Nature-based Solutions for climate adaptation.

• Debt-for-Nature Swap Coalition
  WWF co-launched a new coalition to unlock the potential of Debt for Nature Swaps.

• EU finance for nature
  Announcement of first tranche of EU Guarantee of up to €105 million to unlock €240 million of investments in sustainable land use, rural communities and ecosystem restoration for the DFCD.

• Tropical Forest Finance Facility
  Five countries commit to Tropical Forest Finance Facility (TFFF) supported by WWF.

• Banking on Nature Positive
  Launch of the Banking on Nature Positive report, a five-point action plan for commercial and public development banks to deliver a nature-positive agenda.

• Nature Transition Plan Guidance
  Launch of the TNFD draft guidance on nature transition planning.

• Global Roadmap for a Nature-Positive Economy
  WWF and partners launched the Global Roadmap for a Nature-Positive Economy, setting out financial system reforms necessary to facilitate the transition to a nature-positive economy.

• Addressing the Giants
  New WWF report on how Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIB) can integrate nature into their decision-making and mandates.

• WWF Risk Filter Suite 2.0
  Launch of WWF’s Risk Filter Suite 2.0 enabling companies and investors to assess and act to nature-related risks to strengthen resilience.

• Framework for High Integrity Biodiversity Credits
  IAPB published a Framework for High Integrity Biodiversity Credits, to which WWF contributed. And new WWF position paper.

WWF greening finance, and financing green at COP16

At COP16, WWF launched a series of papers and initiatives that together offer governments, companies, and financial institutions comprehensive guidance on how to adopt an integrated approach to accelerating the transition to a global nature-positive economy.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) offers a global blueprint for living in harmony with nature but we need to boost finance for its implementation, scale investment in nature, and integrate nature and climate into corporate and financial decision-making, as well as regulation.

To sustain our economies, we need to invest $700 billion/yr in nature, including $340 billion/yr in nature-based solutions. That’s less than 1% of total global GDP, and much less than the $7 trillion a year that pour into harmful activities that fuel the nature and climate crises. Redirecting this money would ensure a thriving planet for generations to come.