Navigating crisis and opportunity in conservation funding (commentary)

The past two years have witnessed significant turbulence in the realm of conservation funding. The sudden termination of USAID in early 2025, coupled with the broader crisis in aid funding due to shifting European development budgets, resulted in a sharp decline – approximately a quarter – in international development aid last year.

This decline is a result of political forces and financial pressures, which are expected to grow more intense in the years to come. The dissolution of USAID alone stripped $1 billion annually from the international environmental funding ecosystem, leaving a void that has caused immediate challenges for conservation organizations of all sizes around the globe.

While these organizations are primarily concerned with bridging the gaps and sustaining their programs, the larger question remains: what does the future hold for global conservation funding in the wake of this aid crisis?

In addition to the aid crisis, the current landscape also presents a myriad of new opportunities. Despite the loss of substantial public development aid, private philanthropic funding for conservation is on the rise. Climate mitigation funding from foundations, with a notable emphasis on nature conservation and restoration, has seen a remarkable surge – more than doubling between 2020 and 2024, reaching an estimated $6 billion.

Furthermore, there has been growing attention on the crucial need to ensure that conservation and climate funding reaches Indigenous Peoples and local communities. However, there still remains a significant challenge in this regard.