Biodiversity in the tropics is under unprecedented pressure, with tropical ecosystems experiencing some of the highest rates of biodiversity loss globally. Biodiversity decline in the tropics represents not only an ecological crisis, but also an economic and social emergency. For tropical nations, where many economies are deeply intertwined with natural resources and agriculture, biodiversity loss poses direct threats to livelihoods, food security, and long-term economic stability. Globally, the cascading effects of tropical biodiversity decline—such as reduced carbon storage and loss of ecosystem services—exacerbate climate risks and jeopardize progress toward sustainable development.

The dual ecological and economic challenge of biodiversity loss demands urgent action. In response to the biodiversity crisis, international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Agreement (CBD-COP15) are driving the development of innovative financial mechanisms. Tools like biodiversity credits, carbon markets with biodiversity co-benefits, and green bonds aim to mobilize private finance alongside public funding to foster nature-positive action. However, to effectively channel finance into biodiversity conservation, there is a pressing need for collaboration among policymakers, ecologists, financial institutions, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

This session will explore the intersection of biodiversity finance and tropical conservation, focusing on how to design and implement conservation action and financial tools that address the unique challenges and opportunities in the tropics. Key themes include the integration of policy, science, and indigenous knowledge to create inclusive and effective finance markets, the role of voluntary biocredits in scaling conservation efforts, and the importance of measuring biodiversity impacts alongside economic outcomes.

By bringing together experts from diverse disciplines, the session i) aims to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration, bridging gaps between science, policy, and practice, and ii) outline opportunities for ecologists and practitioners to engage with biodiversity finance, thereby emphasizing the transformative potential of nature finance schemes in addressing the biodiversity crisis and supporting sustainable development in tropical regions.