Driving a Nature-Positive Future Through Public-Private Partnerships

While global leaders gather in Cali, Colombia, for the World Biodiversity Summit alongside COP16, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) reaffirms its commitment to advancing biodiversity conservation and driving climate action. With the world focused on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) like the Bank are essential in mobilising the partnerships and investments required to shape a nature-positive future.

Biodiversity conservation has emerged as a key focus within global environmental discussions, intricately connected to climate change mitigation. International agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) underscore the need to safeguard ecosystems and species to ensure the long-term survival of humanity. DFIs are uniquely positioned to facilitate investments that prioritise biodiversity, promoting sustainable development while preserving natural resources. In many ways, protecting biodiversity is like safeguarding the foundation upon which our future rests—without it, the entire structure of human progress becomes unstable.

Yet, the urgency for action has never been greater. The biodiversity crisis, compounded by climate change, is accelerating, making it imperative for financial institutions and governments to take bold steps. Target 19 of the GBF, which aims to mobilise $200 billion annually for biodiversity by 2030, reflects the scale of investment required. However, with a biodiversity finance gap of nearly $700 billion, closing this gap demands innovative financing, cross-sector collaboration, and a focus on nature-positive investments that drive both economic and environmental sustainability. Just as a tree’s roots are essential to its survival, biodiversity is the root system of our planet, holding together ecosystems that support life, economies, and future generations.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as one of the most effective tools for unlocking resources and expertise while distributing risk. DFIs play a crucial role in driving these collaborations by offering concessional financing, blended finance solutions, and leveraging regulatory frameworks to encourage private sector investments. The organisation, with its extensive track record, continues to champion the integration of biodiversity into financing decisions, ensuring that investments are not only environmentally responsible but also scalable and resilient.

One key example of our commitment is our involvement in the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA), an initiative that aligns with global nature frameworks, particularly the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). The Bank was an early adopter of the TNFD and has actively worked to incorporate nature-related risks and opportunities into its financing frameworks. Through ANCA, we, along with key partners like FSD Africa and Oliver Wyman, have contributed to developing practical approaches that African banks can take to mitigate biodiversity loss. A report co-published by the organisation underscores the need to embed nature clauses into loan agreements, steering projects away from ecologically sensitive areas. Just as a gardener carefully tends to the roots and soil, we ensure that investments nurture rather than deplete the natural environment.

The TNFD’s pilot phase offered valuable insights as we applied this methodology across our portfolio. One of the key challenges identified was how to assess the environmental impact of large-scale projects, such as linear infrastructure, which often stretch across diverse ecosystems. To address this, we are developing a tailored tool that categorises projects based on the environmental sensitivity of the regions they affect. By integrating nature risk into all stages of project finance, we ensure that future developments align with both biodiversity conservation goals and sustainable development objectives.

One of the panel discussions at the World Biodiversity Summit is titled “The Road to $200 Billion: Finance Strategies for Biodiversity Action.” This session will explore how to close the biodiversity finance gap, showcasing the role of innovative financial instruments and regulatory frameworks in promoting nature-positive outcomes. DFIs must embed the value of nature into their financial systems, ensuring that biodiversity is not only protected but also leveraged to create resilient economies that benefit communities. Much like investing in a young tree that will one day provide shade and oxygen, investing in biodiversity today ensures the planet’s future resilience.

Our leadership in the biodiversity finance space, particularly through participation in ANCA and contributions to TNFD, demonstrates the Bank's role in catalysing transformative change. As the world moves towards a future that is both climate-resilient and nature-positive, we remain committed to driving investments that protect biodiversity while fostering sustainable economic growth.

Prioritising nature in its investment decisions enables DFIs to help Africa meet its environmental commitments while unlocking the economic potential of a thriving bioeconomy. Biodiversity underpins industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, and preserving ecosystems is essential to ensuring long-term economic prosperity. Protecting biodiversity is like planting seeds for the future - a future where thriving ecosystems lead to flourishing economies.

We are poised to lead with purpose in advancing biodiversity conservation and climate action. Through innovative solutions, strong partnerships, and a commitment to placing nature at the heart of investment decisions, the future for biodiversity—and the communities that depend on it—looks promising. DFIs, governments, and private sector partners must collaborate to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, ensuring a path of sustainability, resilience, and shared prosperity. By working together to protect Africa’s biodiversity, we safeguard our natural heritage while building the continent's economic prosperity. Just as securing the roots of a tree ensures its growth, investing in biodiversity today guarantees a thriving planet and prosperous future for generations to come.

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