Investing in nature for development: do nature-based interventions deliver local development outcomes?

Does investing in nature actually deliver development at the local level? In a recent report undertaken in collaboration with IIED we provide insights into the types of direct, site-based interventions that can help or hinder the achievement of development outcomes for local people and, ultimately, the delivery of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We consider a wide range of interventions and development outcomes, both positive and negative. Focusing specifically on poorer (low- and lower-middle-income) countries, the report explores documented evidence on how ‘nature-based interventions’ or ‘investments in nature’ (including protection, management, restoration, and harnessing nature for food production), can deliver tangible development outcomes for local people, including jobs, food security, empowerment, as well as resilience to climate change.

Overall, we found a wealth of evidence that investments in nature can be a ‘win-win’ for biodiversity and development. Our findings confirm those of previous analyses and provide a sound empirical evidence base to complement the wealth of anecdotal evidence on nature-development links, while also highlighting key remaining ‘knowledge gaps’.

Concluding with key recommendations for policy and practice, read the full report online.