How do we meaningfully invest in nature to close the growing funding gap for conservation? Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, explains how debt-for-nature swaps and innovative financing tools are helping to unlock billions for protecting ecosystems.

Globally, there is an estimated US$700 billion annual gap between what is needed to preserve natural infrastructure, such as forests, oceans, wetlands, and the funds currently available. Morris highlights how incentivising sustainable agricultural practices, rewarding restoration, and penalising destructive land use can significantly contribute toward closing this nature finance gap.

A key success story is Seychelles, where a landmark debt conversion led to refinancing sovereign debt and establishing the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT). Through this Nature Bonds / Blue Bond mechanism, Seychelles was able to legally designate over 30% of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as marine protected areas, implement marine spatial planning, and channel grants to local projects. These tools combine science, governance, and finance to enable durable, systemic conservation.

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