EU launches Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity

28/10/2026

The European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to financing biodiversity during its high-level event on Nature Credits, co-hosted by Peru and France at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Yerevan, Armenia.

On behalf of the EU, Commissioner Jessika Roswall launched the Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity during an event co-hosted by the EU, France and Peru on Tuesday (27 Oct).

Nature credits are innovative financing instruments designed to attract investment in protecting, restoring and maintaining nature, while rewarding those who undertake these activities. By making nature-positive actions more visible, credible and investable, they can help mobilise private finance for nature.

The Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity is an informal, inclusive, government-led initiative designed to build international support for nature credits and strengthen cooperation on biodiversity finance.

In addition to the co-hosts of the side-event, France and Peru, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, as well as Australia, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan and New Zealand were welcomed to the initiative. Other countries from around the world attended the event and expressed interest in joining. Relevant international organisations are also welcome.

“The Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity will provide a platform for governments to cooperate internationally to foster credible investment that protects and preserves nature. This is an opportunity for our businesses and nature: Nature credits will boost biodiversity and preserve habitats while generating revenue for those who work to protect nature and for investors.

We welcome the strong interest from governments across regions to cooperate. Their experience and priorities will be essential in shaping our future work.”

Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

The initiative is complementary to the work conducted by relevant international organisations, such as the Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA), International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB), International Environmental Guardianship (IEG), Organisation for Economic Co-operation in Europe (OECD), International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN), and associated partners to the initiative.

The initiative is also open to relevant international organisations. Some

The work will continue after COP 17, including with an EU side-event at UNFCCC COP 31 on 18 November, considering the close links between nature and climate. Future work will also include a formal endorsement of a Joint Statement among government members.

The initiative supports the EU’s aim of achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) goals and targets. This requires adequate funding from public, private and philanthropic sources.

While governments remain central to financing biodiversity conservation and restoration, public budgets are under pressure. Business investment and innovative financing mechanisms, including nature credits, can help close the global biodiversity finance gap.

Nature credits can attract private investment towards biodiversity conservation, restoration and maintenance. They complement public finance, regulation, international biodiversity finance and other positive incentives. The EU Roadmap towards Nature Credits, adopted in July 2025, sets out how to develop and test reliable nature credits through research, pilot projects, stakeholder consultation and practical testing.

Background

The EU is a major supporter of biodiversity and international nature protection, dedicating €1 billion per year on average to supporting global partners.

Examples of EU biodiversity financing include the NaturAfrica initiative, which supports biodiversity conservation in Africa with €1.4 billion. It was launched in 2022 at the CBD COP15, as part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

The EU is exploring nature credits as an innovative way to attract private investment in biodiversity protection and restoration. These credits could reward farmers, foresters and other land managers for delivering measurable benefits for nature.

The EU Roadmap towards Nature Credits, adopted in July 2025, sets out how to test credible approaches and mobilise additional funding to complement public investment in biodiversity.