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The private sector is a major driver of change. According to the World Bank, net private capital flows in 2010 to developing countries alone topped $1 trillion. The private sector has real power to lead. It can influence entire industries to adopt environmental best practices, promote investment in sustainable economic endeavors and businesses that conserve biodiversity, and communicate the value and importance of conservation to consumers and the general public.

Our Goal

Engage the private sector together with governments, communities, and consumers to generate critical outcomes for biodiversity.

Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

How will we get there?

Our strategies include:

  • Create and improve sustainable financing mechanisms that leverage donor funding and multilateral aid with private sector investment to achieve biodiversity conservation and the protection of critical ecosystems.
  • Incubate small- and medium-sized conservation enterprises to achieve financial sustainability and scale.
  • Aid local and national banks, primarily in developing countries, in the adoption of lending performance standards relevant to biodiversity and provide bank loan departments the right tools to implement these standards.
  • Engage with extractive industry to promote practices that lead to effective mitigation and compensation for impacts to species and habitats.
  • Work in collaboration with government and key stakeholders to promote the adoption of policies and regulations that require the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy and achievement of no net loss of biodiversity.
Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Why WCS?

Our long-term presence on the ground, strong connection with governments, and deep relationships with communities make WCS a valuable partner. This is evident in some recent accomplishments.

The Conservation Enterprise Development Program

The program supports rural people in developing scalable, successful enterprises based on principles of conservation and sustainability. CEDP provides funding where needed through grants and low interest loans, and provides in-kind support for business planning, management accounting, and other essential skills to allow producers and communities to participate in larger commercial and financial markets.

Ibis Rice

In 2009, we created this wildlife-friendly enterprise. It gives communities on the Northern Plains of Cambodia financial incentives, through the purchase and marketing of premium rice, to participate in conservation activities.

The Conservation Trust Investment Survey

Published annually by WCS since 2006, CTIS is the go-to resource for information on the investment performance of Conservation Trust Funds worldwide. The study reports on the investment policies, practices and results of CTFs with a goal of improving investment performance in order to generate more resources to fund conservation activities.

Biodiversity Offsets in Colombia

WCS Colombia is working to restore and protect critical habitat, including habitat for the Andean bear, as part of their efforts to achieve no net loss of biodiversity resulting from the impacts of industrial development. WCS provides technical assistance and project design guidance to establish corridors and protection of key areas for species conservation as well as creating financing plans to ensure these long-term outcomes are achieved.

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