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Reaching for the Sky In the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, stands the Angel Oak tree, a living testament to the enduring power and beauty of nature. © Tracie Joyner/TNC Photo Contest 2023

Perspectives

Accelerating Nature Finance

Scaling proven solutions for nature, economies and communities

September 23, 2026

Protecting nature and supporting economic prosperity can go hand in hand. Around the world, proven approaches are demonstrating what's possible. The challenge now is accelerating the policies, investments, and partnerships we know work.

Six years after Financing Nature helped elevate biodiversity finance on the global agenda, Financing Nature 2026: A Mid-Decade Update explores where momentum is building and what it will take to bring proven solutions to the scale needed for people, nature and economies to thrive.

Why Nature Finance Matters

Nature supports the food we grow, the water we drink, the communities we depend on, and the economies that help people thrive. Nearly $58 trillion in global GDP depends on nature, yet biodiversity continues to decline as investments that harm nature outpace those that protect it.

The good news? We are not starting from scratch. Across sectors and regions, leaders are demonstrating that investing in nature can strengthen economies, reduce risk, and create lasting benefits for people and the planet.

Five Ways to Accelerate Progress

An underwater view of a coral reef.
Coastal Guardians Critically endangered Elkhorn coral off Harbour Island, Bahamas, is part of a system that protects the island from storm surges while hosting dazzling biodiversity. © Shane Gross / NPL / Minden Pictures
An underwater view of mangrove roots and leaves.
Black Mangrove Bahamas Black mangroves, roots, and breathing tubes, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Bahamas. The Nature Conservancy works closely with partners such as the Bahamas National Trust and the government of the Bahamas to protect the marine habitat of the Exuma Cays and achieve the goal for the long term protection of national parks through the Caribbean Challenge. © Jeff Yonover
Birds in flight over an open ocean.
An aerial view of a forest.
Contrasting forest Aerial view of contrasting forest of planted eucalyptus (on left) and natural forest; near the Cachoeira Reservoir. © Scott Warren
A view of mountains and clouds.
Chingaza National Park Páramo in Chingaza National Park near Bogota, Colombia. © Timothy Boucher/TNC
An underwater view of a coral reef.
Coastal Guardians Critically endangered Elkhorn coral off Harbour Island, Bahamas, is part of a system that protects the island from storm surges while hosting dazzling biodiversity. © Shane Gross / NPL / Minden Pictures

01

Stop Financing Nature Loss

Redirect policies and incentives that drive nature loss and invest in practices that support healthy ecosystems and resilient economies.

An underwater view of mangrove roots and leaves.
Black Mangrove Bahamas Black mangroves, roots, and breathing tubes, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Bahamas. The Nature Conservancy works closely with partners such as the Bahamas National Trust and the government of the Bahamas to protect the marine habitat of the Exuma Cays and achieve the goal for the long term protection of national parks through the Caribbean Challenge. © Jeff Yonover

02

Value Nature as Critical Infrastructure

Recognize that healthy rivers, forests, wetlands, and oceans provide services that economies rely on every day.

Birds in flight over an open ocean.

03

Tackle Climate and Nature Together

Climate and biodiversity challenges are deeply connected. Solutions work best when they are designed to advance both goals.

An aerial view of a forest.
Contrasting forest Aerial view of contrasting forest of planted eucalyptus (on left) and natural forest; near the Cachoeira Reservoir. © Scott Warren

04

Make Nature-Positive Investment Easier

Create the policies, incentives, and financing conditions that help capital flow toward nature-positive solutions.

A view of mountains and clouds.
Chingaza National Park Páramo in Chingaza National Park near Bogota, Colombia. © Timothy Boucher/TNC

05

Scale What Already Works

Build on proven models and partnerships that are already delivering results around the world.

Nature Finance in Action

The report features examples from around the world that show how nature-positive finance is already making a difference. From restoring watersheds in South Africa and supporting renewable energy planning in Croatia to helping countries refinance debt while investing in conservation, these stories demonstrate that nature and economic prosperity can advance together.

The future of nature finance is not about inventing entirely new solutions. It is about building on what we have learned, scaling what works, and making nature a routine part of economic and financial decision-making.

The solutions exist. The tools are proven. The path is clear. Now is the time to scale what works for people and nature.

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Financing Nature 2026: A Mid-Decade Update

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