About Revenues for Nature

 

Revenues for Nature (R4N) is a global project led by the Green Finance Institute Hive, in partnership with UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) and UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI),  and with the contribution of the Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC). 

R4N aims to contribute to the implementation of Target 19 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by mobilising private sector finance at scale for nature restoration and conservation.

The project’s three pillars of work include:

  1. Knowledge Sharing. A database of nature-based revenue models or markets which mobilise private sector investment is being developed. This searchable database is complemented with case studies, and detailed guidebooks capturing how to establish and replicate models and markets, with lessons learned. (Launching October 2024 and March 2025).
  2. Multistakeholder Learning. A Community of Practice of stakeholders, including the private sector, governments, investors and funders, and project developers, will support shared learning for the replication and adoption of models and markets. (Launching November 2024).
  3. Implementation: The project team is working with stakeholders to develop plans for implementing appropriate nature-based revenue models across a range of geographies and ecosystems. In addition, the team is identifying capacity and technical assistance funding. (Beginning March 2025).

Models shared with the R4N project are selected according to a set of criteria that include high-integrity environmental outcomes and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).

R4N is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

 

Our latest Guidebooks

Guidebook: Biodiversity Net Gain, UK.
To be published in October 2024
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a policy in England that requires major and small developers to deliver a 10% gain in biodiversity. With a focus on the implementation of BNG in the UK, the Guidebook will detail the functioning, challenges and opportunities of BNG in mobilising private sector financing to generate nature positive outcomes. Necessary policy requirements for the rolling out of BNG in various contexts will also be identified.
Guidebook: Wetland Mitigation and Endangered Species Habitat Banking, U.S.
To be published in October 2024
The US has two major offset and compensation systems driven by the Clean Water Act for wetlands and streams, and the Endangered Species Act. Both laws include a goal of “no net loss” and ask for adherence to the mitigation hierarchy, requiring avoidance, then minimisation of impacts, then compensatory mitigation. The Guidebook will detail associated banking mitigation mechanisms and highlight key requirements in successfully replicating and scaling these models.
 
Guidebook: Biodiversity Credits, Colombia.
To be published in October 2024
Considering that biodiversity credit systems require a different architecture than the carbon market, the Guidebook will inform how a biodiversity credit system can deliver measurable ecological outcomes and long-term certainty to investors and biodiversity custodians. Based on existing efforts in setting biodiversity credits in Colombia, the Guidebook will describe methodologies, measurement metrics and structures to create biocredits which address species loss, threats and permanent habitat destruction that has accumulated over time.
 
Guidebook: Water-based revenue models, Global.
To be published in October 2024
This Guidebook introduces a number of models which mobilise private sector financing to improve freshwater quality and availability in a diversity of regions. The Guidebook will describe the key features of these models, focusing on the concrete steps to replicate and scale them along with key barriers and lessons learned. The Guidebook will explore models such as Payments for Ecosystem Services, Compensatory Offsetting, Water Funds and innovative water tariff structures, with examples from Japan, Ecuador, Peru, England, and Kenya. 
 

Community of Practice

 

The Community of Practice is open to all and aims to collect relevant expertise to inform challenges and opportunities towards Target 19 of the GBF. Participants to the Community of Practice will receive monthly updates about the R4N project and bespoke opportunities for engagement based on participants’ interest and expertise – as detailed in the registration of interest form.