Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced bicameral legislation to create a United States Foundation for International Conservation along with the Co-Chairs of the International Conservation Caucus in the House of Representatives – Representatives David Joyce (R-Ohio), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). The legislation would fund public-private partnerships to support local communities around the world in effectively managing protected and conserved areas. Senators Coons and Graham are the Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Subcommittee.
“When conservation efforts prioritize human development, are supported by local stewards, and leverage private funding, they have the opportunity to provide long-term benefits for our planet, our health, and our security,” said Senator Coons, Co-Chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “We are at a critical moment for financing conservation and preventing the loss of crucial natural habitats, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this bipartisan legislation.”
“The creation of the Foundation for International Conservation is a win-win in that the bill leverages private capital while supporting the long-term protection of critical landscapes around the world,” said Senator Graham. “Investments in conservation lead to food security and regional stability. I am proud to work with my colleagues and stakeholders to position the United States as a leader in international conservation.”
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world faces significant risks because of global biodiversity loss, with a nearly 70% average decline in monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2018. Protected and conserved areas play an important role in protecting wildlife and vital ecosystems, but are often underfunded. The United States Foundation for International Conservation Act (S. 5134/H.R. 9340) would address this issue by leveraging capital from the private and philanthropic sectors to fund as much as $2 billion for protected areas and the communities surrounding them over the next decade. The new foundation would make awards for conservation efforts that are cost-matched, have support and engagement from host countries and local populations, create economic opportunities, and demonstrate plans to transfer management skills to local institutions.
The bill is cosponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). Senators Whitehouse, Burr, and Portman are also Co-Chairs of the International Conservation Caucus.
The text of the bill is available here.
“Conserving nature requires sustained investment. Currently, only three percent of all available global climate finance is aimed at protecting nature, and billions of dollars in private capital for nature-based investments are sidelined by uncertainty and risk. Public-private partnerships can unlock needed finance for conservation projects around the world, bolstering climate security, food and water security, economic and national security. Passing this legislation would be a major win for wildlife, human development, climate and the United States — and will inspire other countries to take action as the world convenes to negotiate the post-2020 global biodiversity framework,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO, Conservation International.
“Protecting nature on the scale required means mobilizing significant resources from both governments and the private sector. Establishing a United States Foundation for International Conservation would help by forging new public-private partnerships to conserve critical landscapes and seascapes. In doing so it would enhance America’s efforts to halt and reverse nature loss and protect resources that millions of people rely upon for their lives and livelihoods. WWF commends the bipartisan group of lawmakers who introduced this legislation, and we will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to grow and strengthen U.S. government partnerships with countries, communities, and the private sector in support of global conservation,” said Carter Roberts, President and CEO, World Wildlife Fund.
“The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act is a critical U.S. instrument in solving the conservation financing puzzle in developing countries. This legislation will help galvanize the required investment that enhances governance and management effectiveness in protected and conserved areas. At the same time, it will catalyze the direct involvement of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth. The COVID-19 crisis resulted in the loss of revenue, exposed vulnerabilities to economic shocks, and illuminated the underlying financing and resourcing challenges facing protected and conserved areas in Africa and around the world,” said Edwin Tambara, Director, Global Leadership, African Wildlife Foundation.
“The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act would help the U.S. lead in funding durable conservation for developing countries that engages all stewards of the environment. The public-private match unleashes resources and enhances commitments to biodiversity that will greatly benefit the global community,” said Tom Dillon, Senior Vice President for Environment at The Pew Charitable Trusts. “This legislation comes at an important moment as nationas gather in montreal to negotiate and adopt a global biodiversity framework for the next decade.”
“International conservation is fundamental to U.S. strategic interests – from good governance, regional stability, and conflict avoidance to poverty alleviation and food security. We are greatly encouraged to see the leadership of the U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus working with the private sector on an innovative new public-private partnership to secure large landscapes for the long-term benefit of their communities – ‘People & Places,’” said David H. Barron, Chairman, the ICCF Group.
“The decline of Earth’s natural spaces is not just a crisis for one country but for all of humanity. This act is a critical step toward promoting long-term, effective conservation strategies for lands and waters across the planet. It is also a commitment to our international partners that the United States is ready to do its part. The grants and leadership from the foundation will support innovative, on-the-ground work that will conserve and restore nature, promote economic growth, and improve quality of life. As the world grapples with how to address its climate and biodiversity crises, we are grateful to Sens. Coons and Graham and the co-chairs of the Senate and House International Conservation Caucuses for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation. We urge Congress to pass the act by year’s end.” – Jennifer Morris, Chief Executive Officer, The Nature Conservancy
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