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

November 13, 2025 | Belém, Brazil

Sunrise on Zambia's Kafue River.
Kafue 2017 - Georgina Goodwin photos Sunrise on the Kafue River in Kafue National Park, one of Zambia's most important wildlife, tourism, and wilderness areas. Early season burning, an initiative supported by The Nature Conservancy, a global organisation promoting conservation through working with local communities, attracts animals and birds for easier access to insects and new green grass shoots and prevents late season uncontrolled wildfires which ruin valuable wildlife habitat and reduce the attractions of the Park to tourists, whose visits bring millions of kwacha into the national and local economies, provide employment, and raise Zambia's global reputation. © Georgina Goodwin/TNC

Media Contacts

  • Barbara Kužnik
    Policy Communications Manager
    The Nature Conservancy in Europe
    Email: barbara.kuznik@tnc.org

At the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate nature finance solutions that drive both conservation impact and economic opportunity. The agreement marks the start of a new chapter in cooperation between the two organisations, combining global expertise and local action to mobilise finance for nature-positive outcomes.

 

“At a time when the world urgently needs to translate ambition into action, this partnership with GIZ represents a powerful step toward scaling finance for nature and climate. By combining GIZ’s development expertise with TNC’s global reach and local partnerships, we can design and deploy innovative financial solutions that unlock real investment in conservation. Together, we’re turning the promise of nature-positive growth into lasting impact for people, economies, and the planet.”

Jennifer Morris, CEO, The Nature Conservancy

 

“GIZ and TNC reaffirm their shared commitment to safeguarding the planet’s natural foundations. Together, we will advance nature-based solutions that address climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable resource use. By mobilising public and private capital through innovative financial instruments, we aim to strengthen global resilience and contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient future.”

Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Managing Director, GIZ

Driving innovation in nature finance

Through the MoU, GIZ and TNC will collaborate on designing and scaling innovative financial instruments, including nature and environmental impact bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, biodiversity credits, natural capital accounting and blended green–grey infrastructure investments. The collaboration will also entail joint project acquisition, implementation and evaluation, as well as coordinated policy engagement to create an enabling environment for conservation finance.

From strengthening marine and coastal resilience in the Coral Triangle through the SOMACORE initiative, to co-designing the Lower Kafue Watershed Investment Programme in Zambia and collaborating on the SolNatura IKI project in Colombia, both organisations are already delivering impact through integrated conservation and climate adaptation strategies.

Knowledge exchange will play a central role, with workshops, webinars and peer-learning opportunities across both organisations’ global networks, fostering shared expertise and accelerating implementation.

 

From Commitment to Action

This agreement builds on the previous foundation of successful cooperation between the German government and TNC, coming at a pivotal moment for translating global climate and biodiversity goals into concrete action. By bridging development, finance and conservation, the collaboration aims to make conservation more investable, scale finance for nature-positive outcomes and strengthen climate and biodiversity resilience worldwide.

About GIZ

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security. GIZ generates ideas for political, social and economic change, develops these into concrete plans and implements the envisaged change processes. Together with the partners, GIZ works in over 130 countries to deliver flexible and effective solutions that offer people better prospects and sustainably improve their living conditions. To learn more, visit giz.de or follow GIZ on LinkedIn.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.