CfN Global Steering Committee Members
“Nature is declining at rates never before seen in human history. This report makes the clear, evidence-based case for global governments to increase the amount of reasonable, predictable finance available to halt and reverse the loss of nature around the world. The world also needs even more leadership from the US. The US was one of the countries that worked to enshrine the global target to protect or conserve at least 30 percent of the planet. Now we need the US to also help lead the global push to fund efforts to reach this ambitious goal.” ~ Former US Senator and GSC Chair, Russ Feingold
“The world is already spending $1.8 trillion each year on subsidising industries that are destroying nature. $20 billion a year is equivalent to only 1.1%, or about four days, of those subsidies. Wealthy governments have no excuse but to act with greater urgency to deliver on the promise that they made at COP15 to deliver finance to poorer countries by 2025. I implore political leaders to see this report not as a critique of their efforts so far, but as a tool that will incentivise their treasuries to invest and ensure this planet and the people living on it cannot just survive, but live in harmony and thrive.” ~ Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson
“The rapid loss of biodiversity threatens humanity's very existence on Earth, but only if we fail to act. If we’re serious about turning the tide, government leaders have a moral, economic, and social obligation to mobilise the $20 billion per year we need to begin to turn the tide.” ~ Former President of Costa Rica, José María Figueres
“Much of the world's remaining biodiversity is located in developing countries, making the Global South crucial for safeguarding a livable planet. Developed countries agreed to increase international nature finance to support these efforts, but most have not yet fulfilled this promise. This commitment of at least $20 billion by 2025 is an investment in our shared future and this report lays out a pathway to achieve it. It will benefit our food systems, water supplies, climate, economies, health, and national security." ~ Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn
"This report highlights the urgent need to increase affordable, adequate, and predictable finance for biodiversity. Wealthy countries must make greater efforts to meet their $20 billion commitment by 2025. It's also important to consider where this funding is directed. As governments strive to boost their overall financial commitments to biodiversity, they must significantly increase direct funding to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. These groups are frontline defenders of nature and are central to strategies for tackling the biodiversity crisis.” ~ Former Prime Minister of Uganda, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda
“Wealthy countries cannot afford to ignore this report's findings. We are running out of time to halt the biodiversity crisis and must stop passing the buck. Now we know what needs to be provided and by whom it's time to get to work.” ~ Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Yongyuth Yuthavong
“Biodiversity loss is a global problem, and ecosystem collapse anywhere will affect the entire planet. Yet only two countries so far are investing their fair share of the $20 billion commitment made at COP15 to halt and reverse this loss. This critical report sets out how wealthy governments can work together with countries like ours to stem the tide. We have passed our natural capital accounting system act as a first step to computing for nature's services and our efforts at the conservation of our rich biodiversity should be supported." ~ Senator Loren Legarda, The Philippines
“The UK has historically played a significant leadership role in global nature diplomacy. However, we are falling short in meeting our agreed financial obligations which will help protect the ecosystems we all rely on. In a country where the environment consistently ranks among our top five concerns, our performance is falling far short. There is no cause more important or urgent than reconciling ourselves to the natural world we depend on for everything. It’s imperative that we match our diplomatic efforts and successes with serious investment alongside other governments.” Former UK Minister of State for Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment, Lord Zac Goldsmith
“The biodiversity crisis impacts everyone on the planet we share. Wealthier nations must realise that meeting the $20bn commitment they made to invest in nature benefits both them and the Global South. Norway, Sweden, France, and Germany deserve credit for their leadership in this area. This report shows they must continue to lead while others must ramp up action to reach their fair share." ~ Former Executive Secretary UNFCCC, Christiana Figueres
"Two years ago, 196 governments came together and agreed to the most ambitious plans to protect and restore nature that the world has ever seen. The agreement was a cause for optimism, yet today we find that only two countries are investing their fair share of the $20 billion commitment made to fight against biodiversity loss. This report shows exactly what governments need to do—urgently increase their international biodiversity finance.” ~ Former Foreign Minister of Argentina, Susana Malcorra
“Governments worldwide have committed to protecting at least 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. This ambitious goal aligns with scientific recommendations to address the extinction crisis threatening up to one million species. Local communities, scientists, and Indigenous leaders must come together on this agenda, and governments must honour the financial commitments they’ve already made on nature.” ~ Former Science Advisor to Prime Minister of Malaysia and Founding Chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), Dr Zakri Hamid
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ Spokespeople
"As the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities, we protect over 958 million Indigenous and community lands around the world. We are on the frontlines of the global biodiversity crisis that is driven by centuries of the Global North’s unsustainable and destructive consumption. Thanks to our traditional knowledge and tireless defence of the land we have kept hundreds of species safe from violence and extinction. We call on all wealthy countries to follow the lead of Norway to increase their spending on biodiversity and fulfil their promise of $20bn by 2025. Their investment must include creating new ways to directly fund Indigenous People who risk their lives every day defending nature so that our policies are not only effective but just. In partnership between the Global North and South, with the people from the territories, we can heal our Earth". ~ Executive Director of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC) and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Juan Carlos Jintiach
“As one of the few countries close to meeting their fair share of international biodiversity finance, we want to recognize Germany’s leadership in providing funding to CLARIFI to support the self-determined priorities of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and Afro-descendent Peoples who are implementing holistic solutions to address the global biodiversity crisis. We encourage all wealthy nations to meet their fair share of the agreement to deliver $20b by 2025 to countries in the Global South and scale up support for communities who are already playing a critical role in safeguarding nature.” ~ Director of CLARIFI, Deborah Sanchez
"The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) represents significant progress in recognizing the rights and the role that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in protecting over 80% of the world’s biodiversity. This report provides an important guide to help the developed countries meet their commitment of $20b by 2025, as a first step to reaching our collective biodiversity goals with respect and full inclusion of Indigenous People and local communities." ~ IIFB Co-Chairs
Civil Society and Non-Government Organisations
“With only months left for countries to meet the 2025 deadline, a crucial new report by the ODI, commissioned by the Campaign for Nature, shows the scale of the global challenge. One that Australia is uniquely positioned to help solve. An announcement by the Australian Government that we will meet our fair share of nature finance contributions, would set the stage for other nations to follow. Public finance for biodiversity is critical to unlocking private and philanthropic contributions which have a role to play in closing the biodiversity funding gap, but cannot do it alone.” ~ Former Premier of South Australia and Chair of the Climate Group’s UK Board, Mike Rann AC, CNZM
“A lack of adequate financial resources is a major roadblock to achieving the Biodiversity Plan (K-M GBF) in low-income countries. Businesses are starting to recognize the critical role they play in safeguarding our planet's biodiversity, but governments must do the same and urgently deliver on their public finance commitments. Governments, Businesses and Investors alike have a shared responsibility for increasing green finance and integrating nature into mainstream finance. This includes financial support for less developed countries and the reform of environmentally harmful subsidies. This report should be a wake-up call for all.” ~ Executive Director of Business for Nature, Eva Zabey
“On nature Canada has shown great leadership domestically, and substantial leadership internationally. However, more is required to tackle the urgent crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. This report lays out the scale of international investment needed to help solve these crises.” ~ Y2Y’s President and Chief Scientist Dr. Jodi Hilty