We are losing biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, with the current rate of species extinction estimated at 100 times that in pre-human times.

Protected areas are an instrumental conservation tool, with demonstrated impacts on the reduction of species extinction risk and threats to the associated ecosystems and species richness. An internationally recognised area-based conservation mechanism with regulatory support across the globe, protected areas feature prominently in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

In cooperation with UNEP-WCMC, this guidance calls for investors to recognise the vital role of protected areas as a tool for biodiversity conservation and take the recommendations above as guidance to strengthen their investment policies, capital allocation and portfolio stewardship processes.