Background and introduction

The Coalition for Private Investment in Conservation (CPIC), a global initiative, focuses on bridging the conservation financing gap, estimated at USD 300-400 billion annually. In 2018, only USD 8.2 billion annually comes from private sources. The guide aims to provide a replicable framework for conservation investment, particularly targeting CPIC’s thematic areas such as coastal resilience and sustainable agriculture. It serves both as a reference for working groups developing investment blueprints and as a resource for organisations seeking private finance to scale conservation projects.

A step-by-step process to developing and applying a blueprint

The guide outlines a flexible yet comprehensive methodology to create and implement investment blueprints. It is structured to allow adaptation based on the project’s unique characteristics, supporting organisations at different stages of blueprint development.

Part 1: Developing a blueprint

The first phase focuses on creating a robust model for conservation investment:

• Selecting a common area of interest: Choose geographic or thematic areas, such as landscapes or value chains, for targeted conservation impact. This step aligns investment objectives with the broader landscape or ecosystem goals.
• Defining preferred roles and responsibilities: Establish roles among stakeholders, including business model development, local stakeholder engagement, and risk management. Clear coordination ensures alignment and reduces inefficiencies.
• Identifying a blueprint idea: Review successful investments to identify projects with significant milestones or replicable attributes. Options include leveraging existing models or adapting innovations from related sectors.
• Developing the blueprint model: Craft a summary document (5-7 pages) detailing the conservation opportunity, objectives, business model, and investment strategy. Key focus areas include scalability, projected cash flows, and conservation outcomes.

Part 2: Identifying blueprint replication opportunities

The second phase involves determining the feasibility of applying and scaling the blueprint:

• Assessing where the blueprint can be applied: Evaluate geographic areas and value chains based on conservation needs, commercial potential, and socio-environmental factors. Tools like the IUCN Red List and landscape-level assessments aid this process.
• Developing a Theory of Change: Define the overarching objectives of the blueprint and map activities, outputs, and outcomes necessary to achieve these goals. Use measurable indicators to track progress.

Part 3: Developing transactions that align with blueprints

This phase focuses on aligning financial and operational models with blueprint goals:

• Business model development: Design sustainable models incorporating production processes, market positioning, certification standards, and risk analysis. Include financial projections, such as profit-and-loss statements and break-even analysis.
• Investment model structuring: Determine appropriate financial instruments, balancing debt, equity, and grants. Risk mitigation strategies, such as guarantees and insurance, should address potential challenges.
• Asset management: Develop plans for asset aggregation, targeting scalable investment opportunities. Establish monitoring frameworks to measure both financial and conservation returns.

Next steps

The guide concludes by emphasising the need for continuous feedback and iteration to refine the blueprint development process. Users are encouraged to provide input on the guide’s utility and share experiences from applying its frameworks in various contexts. This feedback will ensure the guide remains relevant and adaptable to evolving conservation and financial landscapes.

Partnerships and capacity-building are critical to scaling conservation investments. The guide highlights the importance of fostering collaboration between public, private, and civil society actors. These partnerships can enhance technical and financial expertise within NGOs, SMEs, and government agencies, ensuring they are well-equipped to attract private finance.

The scalability of conservation projects is another key focus. By prioritising projects with potential for replication and aggregation, stakeholders can transition from isolated efforts to broader asset-class investments. This approach not only amplifies the impact of individual projects but also attracts larger pools of private capital, addressing the significant conservation financing gap.

By integrating these steps, the guide aims to mobilise private finance effectively, ensuring sustainable conservation outcomes that align economic returns with environmental and social benefits.