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UNEP Report Finds 30-to-1 Funding Tilt Toward Nature-Harming Investments

The agency urges redirecting capital to high‑integrity nature‑based solutions to meet biodiversity goals.

Overview

  • UNEP’s State of Finance for Nature 2026, using 2023 data, estimates $7.3 trillion in nature‑negative flows, including $4.9 trillion from private sources and $2.4 trillion in harmful public subsidies.
  • Nature‑based solutions received $220 billion in 2023, nearly 90% from public funds, with private investment at about $23.4 billion.
  • The report calls for NbS financing to rise to $571 billion annually by 2030 and for harmful financial flows to be phased out or repurposed.
  • UNEP introduces a Nature Transition X‑Curve to guide policymakers and businesses in sequencing reforms and scaling high‑integrity NbS across the economy.
  • Citing heavy economic dependence on ecosystems and a 73% wildlife decline since 1970, UNEP’s Inger Andersen warns that finance must choose recovery over destruction.