Sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation – a review of experiences in German development cooperation

Sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation – a review of experiences in German development cooperation
by: Augustin Berghöfer, Lucy Emerton, Alonso Moreno Diaz, Julian Rode, Christoph Schröter-Schlaack, Heidi Wittmer, Hugo van Zyl 

The degradation of protected areas and the loss of biodiverse landscapes with its multiple benefits are key topics on the sustainability agenda in many African countries.

Harnessing conservation and sustainability finance is one of the principal response strategies. However, there is much more to it than searching for 'innovative' mechanisms that could fill the funding gap.

The report presents insights for conservation funders, but is also highly relevant for conservation practitioners. Based on expert interviews and document analysis in eight countries (incl. five from Africa) the report explores the following questions:

1. What is the current mix of funding flows and financing mechanisms?
2. What are the principal challenges to sustainable biodiversity financing?
3. What can be learned from the ‘interplay’ between different financing mechanisms?
4. What are the experiences with private sector involvement?
5. What are the overall impacts of different forms of biodiversity finance on the ground?
6. What is the potential of innovative financing approaches for German development cooperation?