FINANCING A NEW VISION FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE IN SOUTH AFRICA

The report outlines a strategic approach to conservation finance in South Africa to support 'Vision 2040', which focuses on 'Mega Living Landscapes' (MLLs) where people are the primary custodians of nature. It advocates for a 'whole-of-society approach' involving government, the private sector, and civil society to move beyond fragmented efforts. The document proposes using a Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) framework to coordinate various large-scale financial mechanisms, including debt-for-nature conversions and outcomes-based bonds, while emphasizing the need for a solid national financial baseline to attract international additionality.

• South African National Parks' (SANParks) Vision 2040 proposes the creation of Mega Living Landscapes (MLLs), which are vast interconnected networks of protected areas, agricultural land, communal spaces, and private land holdings designed to support biodiversity, cultural heritage, and sustainable livelihoods.
• To attract international donors and investors, South Africa must establish a solid and increasing national financial baseline to demonstrate that international funds provide additionality rather than merely replacing dwindling national investments.
• The report identifies three primary large-scale sustainable financing mechanisms being explored in South Africa: Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), Debt for Nature Conversions, and Outcomes-based Nature Bonds (such as the Rhino Bond issued by the World Bank in March 2022 and a Water Bond currently in the scoping phase).
• A Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model is recommended as a unifying framework to ensure different financial instruments complement each other; for example, using donor grant funding for biodiversity stewardship, medium-term bonds for infrastructure and restoration, and long-term revenue models for ongoing management.
• South Africa's biodiversity economy is significant, with ecosystem services valued at approximately R380 billion (7% of GDP) and the biodiversity tourism sector contributing about R34 billion to the economy.

APA

WWF South Africa (n.d.). FINANCING A NEW VISION FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE IN SOUTH AFRICA. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/g20_financing-a-new-vision_digital.pdf

Chicago

WWF South Africa. FINANCING A NEW VISION FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE IN SOUTH AFRICA. n.d. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/g20_financing-a-new-vision_digital.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF South Africa |title=FINANCING A NEW VISION FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE IN SOUTH AFRICA |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/g20_financing-a-new-vision_digital.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfsouthafricandfinancing, author = {{WWF South Africa}}, title = {{FINANCING A NEW VISION FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE IN SOUTH AFRICA}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/g20_financing-a-new-vision_digital.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }