Marketplace for Nature nests within Pollination Foundation’s strategy to grow solutions – stimulating and scaling new market opportunities for nature-based climate solutions.
Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest risks we face in the coming decade. It is crucial to the survival of all life on earth – including humanity.
Though chronically underfunded, the financing that protects and restores nature does work: Between 1996 and 2008, conservation investments resulted in a 29% (average) reduction in extinction risk for mammals and birds.
In response to growing awareness of the need to invest more in nature, an informal network of nature conservation and Indigenous-focused organisations came together to explore how biodiversity markets can play a greater role in safeguarding Australia’s ecosystems.
Together, the ‘Biodiversity Credits Working Group’ is focused on increasing the flow of financial investment into nature conservation by establishing a Marketplace for Nature to connect buyers with sellers. This will provide opportunity to invest in nature through diverse products and strategies, from the small to the large.
The initiative aims to develop a prototype marketplace for nature, along the way weaving a network and community of practice to grow the market. Getting there will involve engaging sector leaders to discover the unique needs of producers and buyers and will include a series of convenings to connect private, government, philanthropic and not-for-profit sector leaders.
Marketplace for Nature is a win-win: It is designed to grow Indigenous and community nature-based enterprise and improve the management and protection of natural resources as the flow of finance into nature-based solutions increases. It seeks to build communities, partnerships and networks willing to explore and realise new ways to scale nature-based solutions and at the same time, grow confidence amongst corporate and financial sectors and governments, in the value of investing in nature.
Pollination Foundation’s role is to incubate the Marketplace for Nature until it’s ready to launch independently.
