Nature and biodiversity are essential for life. Approximately half of the world’s GDP is generated by natural resources. Biodiversity loss and the climate crisis go hand in hand.
We support EU policy for biodiversity preservation by ensuring our projects enhance natural habitats and do not impact biodiversity negatively. We work together with policymakers, companies and civil society to meet biodiversity challenges and increase investment in nature, ecosystem restoration and resilience.
The EIB invests in nature in several ways:
- we finance projects and support new financial players in the fields of climate and nature;
- we provide loans to other financial institutions, who act as intermediaries for smaller projects and companies;
- we invest in funds that leverage private investor interest in support of nature.
Together with the European Commission, we put in place the Natural Capital Financing Facility, a dedicated instrument to finance biodiversity and nature-based solutions in Europe.
Forestry, agriculture and urban nature
Forests are essential in the fight for climate action. They are major carbon stores and help increase resilience against some of the effects of climate change, such as soil erosion and increased flood risk. Our activities support the full forest value chain, including restoration of forests, afforestation and forest industries. We aim to protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, while fostering rural economic growth and employment.
Agriculture protects natural assets and uses them for our well-being. It is also the backbone for local entrepreneurship, employment and social development in many countries around the world. The EIB supports the rural economy to benefit entrepreneurs and society as a whole, promote environmental sustainability and lower agriculture’s CO2 emissions.
Greening a city has many positive effects: it reduces the risk of floods, tackles the negative effects of heat waves and improves local air and water quality. It also enhances the permeability of soils and limits encroachment on fertile land. Urban nature-based solutions can also strengthen social cohesion and increase the quality of life. Our support for urban regeneration and nature-based solutions in cities is improving living conditions for millions of citizens worldwide.