Sustainable Financing
Although challenging, it is possible to develop and fund environmental projects using ecosystem services, alongside other innovative, income streams. Several successful examples are detailed in our Case Studies.
The development and long-term, sustainable financing is possible via;
- existing or emerging ecosystem service markets
- grants and schemes
- private investment
- entrepreneurial means
- philanthropy
...Or likely a combination of these! You can decide which ecosystem service market is appropriate on the ES Markets Comparison Table .
A blended finance model will be important for long term successful projects and partnerships.
Engagement with Financers
Understanding the wider priorities of a project is an important element of planning project funding and can help to gain political support and interest from more varied funders and investors. This should form part of your initial project planning as detailed in the Design and Development section.
Within the LCR, it will be important to consider the priorities of the Combined Authority and respective Local Authorities, and highlight how your project can:
- Provide solutions to meet local social and economic needs, including regeneration, Local Plan targets, wellbeing etc.
- Contribute to the response to climate emergencies – producing a pathway to net zero.
- Contribute to the response to the biodiversity emergency: meeting the enhanced biodiversity duty, and providing for the BNG market within the region
Plus, how it fits in with other strategic and goals.