According to the study, the total amount of financial resources directed towards ecologically harmful activities is $7.3 trillion, of which $4.9 trillion comes from private investments concentrated in sectors such as energy, industry, utilities, and raw materials production.
Only $220 billion was allocated for nature conservation in 2023, with nearly 90% of these funds coming from the government budget.
UNEP emphasizes that to achieve effective solutions, investments in nature conservation need to be increased by at least 2.5 times — to $571 billion per year, which amounts to just 0.5% of the global gross product.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, commented: "Analyzing financial flows, it becomes clear that we face a serious challenge. We can either continue to destroy nature or start to restore it — there is no compromise."
The report offers a roadmap for country leaders to change existing practices to work with nature rather than against it.The document notes that reallocating financial flows from the private and public sectors is a key tool for transitioning to sustainable development. Its authors have developed a concept that will help policymakers and businesses implement reforms and increase the number of environmentally friendly solutions across various sectors of the economy.
This concept outlines a path towards gradually phasing out destructive subsidies and investments while simultaneously increasing investments that support nature. It offers concrete steps for public and private companies at all stages of supply chains.The report also presents examples of successful application of this approach by governments and businesses around the world:
- greening urban spaces;
- integrating nature-based solutions into transport and energy infrastructure;
- producing building materials with a negative carbon footprint.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: UN / N. Nasir.
