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Policy

Climate and Nature Finance Policy 

A pair of hands planting a tree sapling.
Tanga waterfund agroforestry Tree planting in the East Usambara mountains in Tanzania. © Roshni Lodhia

Stronger Economies Start with Nature

The Nature Conservancy brings together science, practical policy expertise and real-world finance experience to help countries build integrated plans that align climate, nature and development priorities, while charting pathways to mobilize the capital needed to deliver them. 

Aerial view of river running through mountains.
Sunset over the Uur The Uur River winds its way through Khuvsgul Province. © B.Erdenebulgan

Mobilizing Finance for Climate and Nature

With decades of trusted partnerships and experience engaging both public and private finance systems, TNC helps governments translate climate and biodiversity commitments into investable, actionable plans. By working with leading multilateral public finance institutions and mobilizing private capital through its impact-investment platform, TNC brings the financial and policy expertise needed to turn national priorities into durable, well-funded strategies.

Cover page for Playbook for Climate Finance.
Playbook for Climate Finance

TNC’s roadmap to finance climate solutions at scale. 

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Proven Models for Success

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    Integrated investment planning

    We help unify climate, biodiversity and development priorities into one clear path forward for investors and governments.

  • Green icon of a government building

    Domestic public finance

    We support governments in designing practical measures, like fiscal reforms or sustainable public finance mechanisms, that bring nature into national budgets and policies.  

  • Green icon of money

    Private capital enablement

    We work with public and private partners to lower barriers to investment, improve standards and prepare pipelines using proven tools in TNC’s portfolio such as Nature Bond projects, Project Finance for Permanence and other resources. 

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    Country platforms & partnerships

    We help governments and partners align around a single, government-led plan, so public and private contributions add up rather than compete. Enduring Earth’s PFPs are one example of a structured approach to long-term, country-owned outcomes. 

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    Capacity & knowledge

    We share analytics, economic and planning tools, and lessons from live programs—so institutions can lead and sustain progress themselves. 

Aerial view of canyon in Lake Powell.
Reflection Canyon Aerial 2 Reflection Canyon Aerial 2 // Lake Powell is the second largest man-made reservoir in the United States. It locates on the Colorado River in Utah and Arizona, United States. Plagued by climate change-fueled drought and increasing demand for water, it has fallen to its lowest level on record since it was first filled more than 50 years ago. When the lake level had dropped far enough that the exposed canyon walls created a pale © Jay Huang/TNC Photo Contest 2021
A family of elephants walking through grass.
Forest Elephants TNC’s Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) work in Gabon is helping secure long-term funding and sustainable management for the country’s vast protected areas. © Roshni Lodhia

Partnering across the finance system

TNC works with leading international climate and environmental funding bodies to advance high-impact, nature-based solutions. Through these partnerships, TNC helps countries secure durable, sustainable financing for large-scale conservation.

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Two seaweed farms in the ocean in Belize.
Seaweed farmers in Belize Mariko Wallen and Louis Godfrey are seaweed farmers in Placencia, Belize. They farm two species: Eucheuma (for consumption) and Gracilaria (used for skin treatments and cosmetics). Their farm is part of a program sponsored by TNC to bring seaweed aquaculture to the area in cooperation with the Placencia Fishermen Cooperative. © Randy Olson/TNC

Debt conversions that unlock conservation funds 

TNC’s Nature Bonds work has helped countries refinance portions of their sovereign debt and channel new, durable funds into conservation—with projects expected to unlock roughly $1 billion for nature.

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A flamboyance of flamingos fly over a lake in Kenya.
Kenyan Sunrise A flamboyance of flamingos flies over a lake in Kenya © Xiangli Zhang/TNC Photo Contest 2021

Longterm national solutions with Project Finance for Permanence (PFP)

Through Enduring Earth, partners are helping nations secure durable conservation with long-term funding. Recent examples include Eternal Mongolia and the Great Bear Sea agreement in Canada.

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A rugged woodland trail of stairs winds through a forest.
Forest Trail at Mianus A rugged woodland trail winding uphill through lush hemlocks and mossy rocks—an iconic glimpse of the gorge’s natural character. © Rod Christie

NatureVest

Through its impact-investment platform, TNC works within the private finance ecosystem to channel investment toward high-impact, nature-based solutions. This approach leverages market-based mechanisms to bring new, scalable capital to conservation.

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TNC supports countries in creating credible, locally owned plans that mobilize public, private and domestic finance at scale and ensure nature is a core part of long‑term economic strategy.

Finance Models and Toolkits

  • Cover page for Biodiversity Finance Trends 2025.

    Biodiversity Finance Dashboard

    Developed by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and TNC, this annual research tracks global trends in financing nature.  View the dashboard

  • Cover image for Nature Bonds Toolkit.

    Nature Bonds Toolkit

    Nature Bonds are a proven approach to leveraging debt refinancing and technical assistance for effective, durable conservation and climate action. Explore the toolkit

Policy Briefs and Positions

  • Cover page of "From Risk to Return" policy brief.

    From Risk to Return: How DFC Powers U.S. Prosperity and Security

    This policy brief makes the case for why the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is a critical tool for advancing U.S. strategic interests globally. Download the brief

  • Cover image for Nature's Dividends report.

    Nature's Dividends

    Nature is the foundation for thriving economies, as well as healthy and safe communities. This report outlines why protecting, restoring and enhancing nature provides cost-effective and irreplaceable benefits. Explore the report

Investing In Nature

Explore more stories around how we're working with investors, lenders, and companies to identify the economic value of nature.

Government of Gabon and The Nature Conservancy Announce Steps Toward Visionary Plan to Fund Long-Term Conservation of Climate-Critical Landscapes

Project Finance for Permanence initiative will mobilize long-term resources in support of Central African country’s commitments to 30% ecosystem conservation and sustainable community development.

GIZ and The Nature Conservancy unite at COP30 to Unlock Finance for Nature and Climate Action

GIZ and The Nature Conservancy sign agreement to accelerate accelerate nature finance solutions that drive both conservation impact and economic opportunity.

World’s First Nature Bonds Project Reaches Final Step in Seychelles

The small island nation, located east of mainland Africa, has secured a future of marine conservation, climate adaptation and a healthy blue economy.

Eternal Mongolia: The New Plan to Protect 30% of Mongolian Land

Mongolia has long had some of the most ambitious conservation goals in the world. Now it has a plan to achieve those goals and the funding to match.

How First Nations' Leadership and Sustainable Finance are Creating Permanent Protection for the Great Bear Sea

A historic agreement creates long-term protection for the Great Bear Sea, an ecosystem home to whales, salmon, kelp and bears off Canada's British Columbia. The deal funds First Nation stewardship.

By Adam Bloom