The Coalition for Private Investment in Conservation (CPIC) is a global, multi-stakeholder initiative focused on enabling conditions that support a material increase in private, return-seeking investment in conservation.

CPIC aims to facilitate the scaling of conservation investment by creating models (“blueprints”) for the successful delivery of investable priority conservation projects, connect pipeline providers of such projects with deal structuring support, and convene conservation project delivery parties with investors to execute investable deals.

CPIC was founded in 2016 by Cornell University, Credit Suisse, IUCN, and The Nature Conservancy. Today it has over 120+ members, including public and private investors, asset managers, project developers, and conservation NGOs. More about CPIC members here.

CPIC’s contribution to scaling conservation finance 

• CPIC develops investment blueprints that showcase successful investment models in forestry, oceans and coastal areas, sustainable agriculture, and green infrastructure for watershed management. Read more about CPIC’s blueprints here.
• CPIC supports project developers by providing structuring support and access to financing, for example through the Nature+ Accelerator Fund. Find out more about the Nature+ Accelerator.
• CPIC contributes to research on the state of conservation finance through our Research Working Group and Conservation Finance report | Read the Conservation Finance 2021 report.

Why private conservation finance matters

Approximately half of the world’s GDP depends on nature and its services, making the connection between thriving ecosystems and economic success abundantly clear. Redirecting public finance will go a long way toward closing the massive USD 598-824 billion annual biodiversity financing gap, but public finance alone will not be sufficient to address the biodiversity crisis.

Private sector finance, which today accounts for just 14% of global conservation investments, must also be mobilized at scale. To move much-needed private capital toward restoring and conserving nature, we must better understand the needs and expectations of private investors, what hinders and drives conservation investments, and identify the proven solutions that already exist for achieving both positive biodiversity outcomes and financial returns.