Crucial new investment to strengthen green infrastructure, benefit biodiversity and adapt infrastructure to a changing climate has been unlocked by the Natural Capital Financial Facility, a EUR 400 million initiative intended to better protect Europe’s natural capital. The unique scheme is now looking to expand cooperation with partners across Europe to enhance investment that better supports nature conservation and climate change adaptation.
Projects in Ireland and Croatia will be the first to benefit from the new financial instrument: the Irish Forestry Continuity Initiative will receive € 12.5 million and a biodiversity and climate adaption program in Croatia € 15 million.
Launched three years ago by the European Investment Bank and by the European Commission, the Natural Capital Financial Facility has backed new investment by nature-focused businesses and is supporting transformational schemes across Europe.
Financing backed by the Natural Capital Financing Facility is not restricted to rural regions. Nature-based solutions to address urban heatwaves and flash flooding in built up areas through the integration of "green" and "blue" infrastructure elements, such as green roofs, sustainable urban drainage schemes or tree planting are also expected to be supported. The Natural Capital Financial Facility supports both loan financing and equity participation by the European Investment Bank and is expected to mobilise additional investment up to four times of the original financing.
