The WFN funding stream supporting community-led action for conservation and climate.
As part of our Continuation Funding programme, WFN supports nature-based solutions to climate change.
The climate and biodiversity crises that we have caused cannot be considered in isolation, nor solved independently. Nature-based solutions bridge the gap, recognising that collaborative action is needed in order to address runaway wildlife decline, landscape destruction and global warming. We are funding projects that will help humanity mitigate, adapt to, and remain resilient in the face of these environmental emergencies.
Meet the latest recipients
Mitigation
There is an equitable, cheap, and proven method for sequestering harmful emissions: nature. Forests, seagrass meadows, grassland, peat bogs and wetlands can soak up carbon dioxide and store it. Wildlife and indigenous communities also play their part, by keeping these ecosystems in balance.
Mitigation case studies
Adaptation
Biodiverse ecosystems don’t just mitigate climate change but protect us from its devastation. Natural defences, such as storm-absorbing mangrove forests along coastlines, are not only win-win (also sequestering carbon and providing society with ecosystem services), but data is already showing them to be more effective at protecting us from extreme weather than man-made defences.
Adaptation case studies
Resilience
Any system with greater diversity is better at responding to change. Resilient people are going to need resilient nature. By investing in humanity’s life support system, we also stand to gain, not just survive. For example, stopping the destruction of – and restoring – natural ecosystems could create 350m jobs by 2030 and generate a $10tn increase in wealth, according to the UN’s CBD.
Resilience case studies
Our nature-based solutions grants are worth up to £100,000 over two years and available to past Whitley Award winners. They run alongside our existing Continuation Funding grants, which are worth up to £70,000 over two years and help alumni to scale-up successful work or respond to changing needs.
To check your eligibility and find out how to apply, visit our Continuation Funding page.
If you would like to support this programme, please get in touch with WFN’s Head of Partnerships, Georgie White ([email protected]). Your help will make a difference to those transforming ambitions into action, across countries on the frontline of the climate crisis where biodiversity loss is already a catastrophic effect on people’s ability to adapt and survive.
