The business of saving nature

"The world spends 30 times more money destroying nature than protecting it. That's according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that exposes a massive gulf between so-called "harmful investments" and financing that promotes nature preservation. The global environment agency's latest "State of Finance for Nature" (SNF) report is calling to phase out the US$7.3 trillion (6.2 trillion) in global investments that damage nature including into high-emissions energy infrastructure and manufacturing, for example."

"Based on 2023 data, the report shows that nature-positive investments reached $220 billion some 30 times less than harmful investments. The authors note that nearly half of the global economy significantly depends on nature, and yet governments, business and finance are eroding "our collective nature bank." "Without nature, the foundation of our economy collapses," states SNF, which notes that 73% of nature's wildlife populations have vanished since 1970, undermining vital ecosystem services such as pollination, clean water and soil fertility that ultimately support human economies."

Global investments that damage nature total roughly US$7.3 trillion, about 30 times greater than nature-positive finance. Around two-thirds of harmful investments originate from private sources concentrated in utilities, industry, energy and materials, while public funds include damaging government subsidies to fossil fuel, agriculture, transport and construction sectors. Nature-positive investments reached about $220 billion in 2023, far below harmful outlays. Nearly half of the global economy significantly depends on nature, yet biodiversity has declined dramatically, with 73% of wildlife populations lost since 1970. Loss of ecosystem services such as pollination, clean water and soil fertility threatens human economies. Redirecting finance toward nature-based solutions and phasing out harmful investments is necessary to restore ecosystems and economic resilience.

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