Big Change

PRIVATE FUNDERS PLEDGE $5BILLION TO PROTECT THE PLANET

The largest ever philanthropic commitment to nature conservation has been announced today (22nd September 2021) with 9 philanthropic organisations pledging $5 Billion to protect and conserve 30% of the planet by 2030.

The announcement was made at a UN General Assembly event in New York, called 'Transformative Action for Nature and People' where over 20 heads of state, business, philanthropy and Indigenous leaders came together to make major funding and conservation commitments, ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is taking place between 11th - 24th October 2021 in China.

The private funders launching the #ProtectingOurPlanetChallenge, to ensure 30% of the planet is protected and preserved for biodiversity by 2030, will be funding goals already set by the High Ambition Coalition for Nature (HAC) - whose 30x30 campaign is focused on working with Indigenous peoples, local communities, civil society, and governments to prevent mass extinctions and bolster resilience to climate change. The HAC, an intergovernmental group of 70 countries co-chaired by Costa Rica, France, and the UK as Ocean co-chair, set the 30x30 global target with the aim of halting our accelerating loss of species, and protecting vital ecosystems.

The group of philanthropists include Arcadia - a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin; Bezos Earth Fund; Bloomberg Philanthropies; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Nia Tero; Rainforest Trust ($500 million); Re:wild; Wyss Foundation ($500 million); and the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation. It is the largest ever philanthropic commitment to nature conservation.

Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin of Arcadia gave the following quote:

"Protecting at least 30% of our planet by 2030 is not a luxury but a vital measure to preserve the earth's health and wellbeing. Private donors have a role to play, but this goal requires the commitment of all governments and of the communities that manage some of the world's most biodiverse landscapes. We are delighted to support the #ProtectingOurPlanetChallenge and hope that this initiative will motivate others to join us."

Nia Tero tweeted: "Investing in the rights of Indigenous peoples is essential for addressing climate change."

Meanwhile, at the same event The Green Climate Fund, which provides funding to help developing countries meet their Paris Agreement commitments, also announced a commitment of nearly $9 billion to restore ecosystems whilst creating jobs and a further seventy-five financial institutions also committed to protecting and restoring biodiversity through their finance activities and investments through a 'Finance for Biodiversity' Pledge.