A radical shift in funding and investment is needed to ensure the progression of large-scale nature restoration urgently needed to combat the nature and climate crises, according to a new report launched in Edinburgh on Wednesday.
The report, by the charity Rewilding Britain and consultancy Terranomics, found that major projects are struggling to navigate a confusing funding landscape while government funding schemes under-deliver and rewilding projects and funders frequently do not find each other.
They claim that rewilding is subsequently being held back, undermining action on the biodiversity and climate emergencies and depriving communities, farmers, landowners and investors of opportunities.
The Rewilding Finance Report states that Britain — one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries — is at “a critical moment when progress is being outpaced by the global nature and climate emergencies”.
It states that rewilding — large-scale nature restoration — offers hope for tackling these crises and also the potential to create social and economic benefits for people and communities.
Rebecca Wrigley, CEO of Rewilding Britain, said: “More and more people are wanting to undertake rewilding; a movement that, if encouraged, would make great waves in achieving the government’s nature and climate commitments.
“It’s imperative that it is made as easy as possible financially for those undertaking rewilding to be able to do so.
“This is about choice. Land is a vital, productive resource for biodiversity, climate, food, our economy, health and wellbeing.
“With the political will of our next government and sustained funding, a richer, wilder Britain – with rewilding across 30% of land and sea, working hand-in-hand with sustainable, nature-led farming and forestry – is possible.”
The report outlines five key recommendations to help build a stronger nature-recovery investment system and empower those undertaking rewilding and investors to connect.
It calls for the UK and devolved governments to build long-term confidence and stability through secure public funding and policy that underpins investment in nature and rewilding.
It emphasises that private and philanthropic sectors should accelerate high-intensity investment into large scale rewilding initiatives.
It also recommends that diverse locally and community-led partnerships should be enabled to upscale rewilding and co-design investable propositions.
Meanwhile, a network of brokers and market builders should be further developed to provide an effective connection between rewilding initiatives and investors and funders.
Finally, the report calls for high level principles for investing in rewilding to be agreed and adhered to across stakeholder groups.
Chris Knight, Director of Terranomics, experts in nature positive financial mechanisms, said: “In this report we have joined forces with Rewilding Britain to lay out a vision for enhancing Britain’s funding landscape to seize and upscale the extensive opportunities rewilding offers.
“Whilst philanthropic funding for nature is growing, the proportion of foundation spending on the environment relative to other issues in the UK is still just 6%.
“We believe nature is worth investing in, and want that process to be easier, clearer and more beneficial for the benefit of all.”
