Today, I’m joined by Abbie Trinidad, Anabelle Plantilla, and Niran Nirannoot from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a UNDP-led programme now active in 131 countries. In this conversation, we explore how BIOFIN is tackling the biodiversity finance gap through practical ecotourism and conservation finance models in the Philippines and Thailand. We discuss community-led approaches in Sibalom Natural Park, tourist user charges and coral reef restoration on Koh Tao, and mangrove conservation in Phetchaburi. Along the way, we examine what it takes to attract private sector interest into biodiversity projects, the importance of policy and local institutions, and why conservation is increasingly an economic issue as much as an environmental one.

"Conservation is not just an environmental issue, it is actually an economic one" - Anabelle

00:05 – Intro & BIOFIN guests

00:36 – Favourite trees (icebreaker)

01:48 – What is BIOFIN?

05:53 – Why private investment matters

07:56 – Biodiversity investment opportunities

09:13 – Philippines: Sibalom Natural Park

12:11 – Community ecotourism model

18:36 – Early biodiversity outcomes

23:15 – Carbon credits & policy gaps

29:24 – Thailand: Koh Tao case

32:29 – Tourist fee & fintech system

39:00 – Impact: waste & coral recovery

42:03 – Mangroves, co-investment & carbon

48:36 – Key challenges & investor mindset

52:55 – Final takeaway: nature as investment

Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives

Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

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How BIOFIN is tackling the biodiversity finance gap