cover image: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF ONTARIO’S GREENBELT - A BLUEPRINT FOR ADVANCING CONSERVATION

20.500.12592/cpz00n

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF ONTARIO’S GREENBELT - A BLUEPRINT FOR ADVANCING CONSERVATION

1 Feb 2023

Yet, to date, investments in the maintenance of these services are primarily Even though connecting blended finance (i.e., public and drawn from public and philanthropic funds that are used to private) to the conservation and restoration of natural assets in finance key conservation and restoration activities undertaken Ontario’s Greenbelt makes sense on paper, advancing these by conservation auth. [...] With challenges continue to be: a growing interest in the value of these services for both the regional and provincial economies, there is a potential to design • A lack of data, and a lack of clarity around necessary data more sustainable funding streams that go beyond grants to requirements; invest in the long-term future of the Greenbelt. [...] Identifying key opportunities and value streams in Ontario’s Greenbelt to illustrate where potential exists for conserva- • Investing in forests and wetlands to lessen the effects of tion finance mechanisms to support ongoing conservation climate change and increase the ability of local ecosystems and restoration initiatives in the region; for carbon storage, cleaner air, greater flood mitigation,. [...] to advance conservation finance in the Greenbelt However, connecting investments in nature to discrete, is intended to continue being a driver of ecological resilience measurable economic value streams remains a challenge at and economic opportunity, how we invest in the conservation, the project level, which can increase the uncertainty and risk restoration, and sustainable management of natural. [...] The result is a recognition of the importance of used to build investor confidence and attract greater investments ecosystems in the Greenbelt for building ecological and eco- for conservation and restoration projects to ensure the Greenbelt nomic resilience, but also a continued willingness to prioritize can continue to deliver clean water, reduce floods risks and short-term growth over long-term.
Pages
8
Published in
Canada

Tables