Strengthening finance-nature partnerships: Insights from COP16

UNEP FI’s latest briefing explores the critical connections between the financial sector, nature, and Indigenous Peoples, with insights drawn from discussions at the Finance & Biodiversity Pavilion during COP16 in Cali.

The report highlights a major milestone: the establishment of a permanent Indigenous Peoples’ group under the Convention on Biological Diversity — a recognition of the vital role that Indigenous knowledge and leadership play in biodiversity conservation.

As financial institutions align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, this briefing encourages the sector to adopt more inclusive and equitable approaches. Topics covered include Indigenous rights, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and the development of just, long-term partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

For financial actors engaged in nature-related finance, this is a key moment to integrate social equity and sustainability into strategic decision-making.

Explore the full briefing to understand how your institution can support a nature-positive, inclusive future.