What is the Conservation Impact Bond?
A recipient of the Finance for the Future Climate Leader Award, the CIB is a place-based outcomes financing product developed to reverse the trend of habitat loss by accelerating healthy landscapes in the Carolinian Zone in the spirit and practice of Reconciliation.
Initiated by Carolinian Canada Coalition (CCC), the model centers Indigenous Leadership expanding ethical space in the sector. Co-creation brings together First Nations communities, conservation organizations, social enterprise, multinational corporations, impact investors, government and academic researchers. The Conservation Impact Bond uses a pay-for success financial model. In this model, investors provide upfront capital that is provided to diverse stewards to implement healthy landscape projects including habitat protection, stewardship, restoration and leadership.
Why do we need the CIB?
The current charitable model of conservation cannot keep pace with the demand for climate-resilient healthy landscapes for both wildlife and people.
The evidence is on the landscape:
- Habitat and wild species continue to be lost at an alarming rate,
- Slow progress in truth and reconciliation,
- Limited funding and restricted responses to the diverse needs of landscapes,
- Fragmented programs creating inequities in assistance to Habitat Growers.
Did you know?
Restoring and protecting nature is among the most cost-effective ways to combat climate change?
The CIB delivers "win-win-win" rewards for:
- Indigenous leadership, cultural well-being and climate justice,
- The economy, and job creation,
- Natural Climate Solutions, and
- Nature for generations to come.
Benefits of a Pay-for-Success Model
- Efficient Resource Targeting: A coordinated network of experts and community groups.
- Faster Habitat Growth: Flexible funding accelerates results.
- Outcome-Based Payments: Trigger upfront capital investment for healthy habitat gains and nature-based solutions across a broad scope of local projects.
- Multi-Benefit Returns: Supports nature-smart climate solutions, green jobs, parks, recreation, mental and physical health.
- Reduced Risk: Ensures ethical and impactful use of funds.