The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Who should own nature? New study examines the governance of biodiversity finance

Current opinion in environmental sustainability, illustration.
Current opinion in environmental sustainability.

Halting biodiversity loss requires more than just increased funding – it also demands better governance of how resources are mobilised, allocated, and monitored. A new study in Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability reviews recent research on how biodiversity finance actually works.

Researchers Jesper Svensson, Julia Qian Mao, and Nils Droste analysed studies published between 2019 and 2023, focusing on three key areas:

• Financial instruments and mechanisms
• Governance structures
• Critical and normative perspectives on biodiversity finance

One key finding is that ownership and usage rights play a central role – yet have received surprisingly little attention. These rights determine who gains access to, control over, and benefits from biodiversity efforts.

The researchers highlight ownership as a crucial issue for future research. They pose a vital question: Who should own biodiversity? It's not just a matter of fairness and responsibility, but also of how nature itself is governed in a rapidly changing political and technological world.

Read the full article: What do we (not) know about the governance of biodiversity finance?