Environmental Trust Funds

One of the solutions to the problem of long-term financial security for natural ecosystems, such as national parks and protected areas, is the Environmental Trust Fund.  A substantial number of these have been established in the last decade, endowment capital coming mainly from the proceeds of debt-for-nature swaps, from the Global Environment Facility and from some bilateral donors.

It is widely expected that this, and similar financial instruments, will become increasingly important in the years to come.

EDG has designed and established two Environmental Trust Funds, in Mongolia and Cameroon; and has contributed to the establishment or initial operations of Trust Funds in four other countries (Malawi, Uganda, Brazil and Suriname).