Abstract:

Background & Aims: Both the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023‒2030) (China’s NBSAP) have highlighted the engagement of non-state actors in biodiversity conservation. Philanthropic funding provided to non-state actors for biodiversity conservation purposes can significantly fill the public funding gap. The Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity provided a unique opportunity for Chinese non-state actors to conserve China’s biodiversity. In 2021, during the first phase of COP15 in Kunming, a coalition of 10 Chinese non-state actors pledged to mobilize RMB 2.55 billion (USD 359 million) for biodiversity conservation by 2030. 

Method: The study provides a systematic analysis by tracking the spending, outputs and outcomes of the pledge made in COP15 over the past five years, offering a systematic analysis of how biodiversity philanthropic funding in China has been mobilized and what results have been attained. 

Results: During 2020‒2024, 11 major biodiversity-related philanthropic foundations invested a total of RMB 3.43 billion (USD 481 million) on biodiversity conservation activities. Among them, the seven foundations that made funding pledge at COP15 have spent RMB 1.55 billion (USD 217 million), equivalent to 60.7% of the total pledged amount. This funding has enabled non-state actors to deliver tangible results in the conservation of threatened species, habitat and area-based conservation, and biodiversity mainstreaming in China. The study also identified limitations of China’s conservation philanthropic funding: a disproportionate share of funding has flowed to afforestation-based “ecological restoration”, while comparatively less has been allocated to aligning with national programs or transforming private sector’s business models. 

Conclusion: The study recommends that Chinese philanthropic funding should deepen collaboration with government-led biodiversity conservation initiatives to achieve the targets and goals of the NBSAP, and that transforming private sectors’ business models toward nature positivity should also be prioritized.

Key words: conservation philanthropic funding, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework(KMGBF), National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)