@misc{38520,
title = {The Biodiversity Financing Gap in Latin America and the Caribbean},
author = {Watson, Gregory and Penagos Concha, Ángela María and Vargas Sanchez, Carlos Eduardo and Murguia, Juan M. and Granados Gutierrez, Santiago and Vargas Noriega, Naja and Tambutti, Marcia and Badinella, Isabella and Benavides, Juan and Vergara, Daniel and Becerra, María Teresa and Arriaga Cinta, Frida Beatriz and Bucaram, Santiago and Llaguno, Duval},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.18235/0014577},
abstract = {Closing the biodiversity finance gap is essential for Latin America and the Caribbean to advance toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development models. This requires mobilizing and redirecting financial resources toward biodiversity conservation, restoration, and sustainable use, while integrating these objectives into public policies, territorial planning, and investment decisions across economic sectors.

However, while adequate financial resources are necessary, they are not sufficient to achieve effective results. The quality of governance, institutional capacities, and coordination among public, private, multilateral, and development cooperation actors are critical to translating investments into tangible biodiversity outcomes. In this context, governance is a central dimension of biodiversity finance systems and a key enabling condition for their effectiveness.

This study presents an estimate of the financing needs for biodiversity conservation, restoration, and sustainable use in Latin America and the Caribbean, drawing on internationally recognized methodologies adapted to the regions productive, fiscal, and institutional characteristics. It also analyzes current financial flows toward these objectives and identifies opportunities to expand the use of public, private, and blended finance instruments with the potential for scale and replication.

Building on this analysis, the publication proposes guidelines for mobilizing, redirecting, and aligning financial resources with the biodiversity objectives set out in countries national and international commitments. In doing so, it helps strengthen the evidence base for decision-making and accelerate the implementation of strategies that position biodiversity conservation and sustainable use as pillars of sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.},
url = {https://doi.org/10.18235/0014577}
}