Preserving global natural heritage in developing countries and emerging economies for the long term:

• Goal: creating a USD 1 billion endowment fund to give well over 60,000 square kilometres of land protected status and manage it efficiently
• EUR 82.5 million of German seed capital is mobilising an additional USD 40 million of private capital
• The needs of the local population are a key focus – close cooperation with non-governmental organisations
• Prevention of further pandemics of zoonotic origin

KfW will continue to drive forward global nature conservation. To that end it has established a new fund on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) called the Legacy Landscapes Fund, and provided EUR 82.5 million of seed capital. The fund is intended to facilitate long-term financing of conservation areas in developing countries and emerging economies, thereby enabling effective management and helping to preserve crucial biodiversity. German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Gerd Müller, officially launched the fund today.

The Legacy Landscapes Fund represents a new, innovative tool for providing each conservation area with long-term basic financing of USD 1 million per annum for the next 15 years. There are plans for 30 conservation areas around the world, each covering an area of at least 2000 square kilometres. This means that well over 60,000 square kilometres of land will be protected by conservation measures, an area slightly larger than England.

Key aspects of the conservation concept include focusing on the needs of the local population, closely involving established local non-governmental organisations in managing the conservation areas, and mobilising private capital as well as public funds. Private investors have pledged USD 40 million to date.

“Nature provides the foundation for our existence and is the basis for economic activity. It is under greater pressure than ever before, with dramatic consequences for biodiversity and the climate. In many cases, efforts to manage conservation areas sustainably and efficiently were constrained by a lack of long-term financing. The Legacy Landscapes Fund is intended to counteract this problem. If at least 30 per cent of the world’s surface is successfully protected, the risk of further pandemics will also decrease. These are often caused by “zoonoses”, infectious diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans,” says Dr Günther Bräunig, Chief Executive Officer of KfW Group.

Dr. Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development: "Germany has played a major role in establishing the Legacy Landscapes Fund and is providing 100 million USD to get the Fund started. Private foundations are contributing another 35 million USD for the Fund's start. With that funding, the LLF will be able start in seven protected areas in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Fund seeks to build a capital stock of one billion USD by 2030 in order to secure 'everlasting' core funding for the 30 protected areas. This would make the Fund the world's largest nature conservation foundation. I invite private and public donors to contribute to the LLF."

The Legacy Landscapes Fund was established on 8 December 2020 as a German non-profit charitable trust with its headquarters in Darmstadt. Stefanie Lang became its director on 1 April.

As a first step, a sinking fund is being set up to get the ball rolling by promoting up to eight conservation areas for an initial period of 15 years. The aim is to develop capital stock for up to USD 30 million per conservation area, with the returns on investment being used to provide the long-term basic financing (“permanent financing”) for the individual conservation areas. The intention is to eventually finance 30 conservation areas and therefore accumulate up to EUR 1 billion. Private financiers can participate alongside public donors. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation became the first private donor, contributing USD 5 million.

The selection process has already begun and looks at seven conservation areas in South America, Central and Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Find out more at:

Legacy Landscapes

Link to interview

www.bmz.de/LLF