Getting Biodiversity Finance on the Ground

Update from the NZ BIOFIN Impact Accelerator Project

Author: Ian Herburt, Project Lead. University of Otago

Around the world increasing ‘on the ground’ investment in biodiversity helps nature but also boosts the economy significantly.  This is another number we are keen to work out at the University of Otago Business School.

The process of increasing these money flows starts by assessing our biodiversity finance position.  This will be a very good thing because we can understand how to invest better.

Once we’ve got a baseline of what we currently spend, we will consider how to deliver better, how to generate revenues, and where to realign investment for the best results. 

BIOFIN Method of improving biodiversity finance

The assessment will contribute to knowledge and planning by central and regional government, iwi and hapū, the private sector, and non-government organizations. Don’t be surprised if farmers and landowners as well as community groups and iwi do more of the heavy lifting than we realise.

As we work through the NZ BIOFIN Assessment we’ll operate through working groups and promote collaboration between the government, the private sector, and non-government organizations. The UN BIOFIN team will support this process, but it is led by the Otago University Business School.

Image Credit: NZ Sustainable Business Network

For more on the NZ BIOFIN Impact Accelerator Project, contact Ian Herburt