Finance Solutions for Nature 2025

Examples of payments for ecosystem services BOX 9 Forever Wild (2019)82,83 Focus: Conserve and manage large-scale wilderness areas in Australia Forever Wild protects vast wilderness landscapes through conservation, restoration and community enterprises that drive structural change to promote equity among Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. It creates investable opportunities in eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture via joint ventures, blended finance, and new “units of nature”. This includes Australia’s first-ever equitable carbon debt finance investment to protect 225,000 hectares in Western Australia 2022, and ongoing work with a major commercial fund to conserve 1 million hectares in Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa. National PES in Mexico (2003) – published annual value (2013): $650 million84 Focus: Sustainably manage forests and conservation efforts Mexico’s national programme offers cash incentives for forest conservation, including watershed and biodiversity services. It targets private and community-owned forests, encouraging sustainable practices. The Forestry Commission acts as buyer of ecosystem services, mainly funded through the national budget. It also supports biodiversity protection in key watersheds, involving irrigation districts. VEJA’s PES in the Amazon (2018)85 Focus: Environmentally and ethically sustainable rubber sourcing in Brazil Footwear brand VEJA introduced a PES scheme in the Amazon, paying suppliers an 80% premium above market rates for deforestation-free rubber. By 2021, over 1,000 tonnes of wild rubber were purchased from 435 rubber tappers, helping VEJA meet sustainability targets and strengthen its supplier network. Finance Solutions for Nature: Pathways to Returns and Outcomes 27