Private Sector Engagement

By integrating nature restoration into business models, operational strategies, and supply chains, private enterprises have the potential to contribute meaningfully to climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and the prevention of land degradation. Companies that have committed to addressing climate change can advance these efforts by increasing investment, leveraging innovative technology, and growing knowledge and uptake of restoration practices.

Photo credit: © Joshua Trujillo, Starbucks

Why Private Sector Engagement Matters

Restoration is principally funded by governments, international donors, and non-profit organizations. However, there is a significant opportunity to increase private investment to close the financial gap and to place degraded ecosystems under effective restoration, contributing to the Global Biodiversity Framework target of restoring 30% by 2030 and reversing the trend of global degradation.

The private sector is uniquely positioned to innovate financially, working in collaboration with civil society to design new funding mechanisms for nature. Companies leading on nature action are also advancing technology for effective monitoring and impact measurement of conservation efforts. The exchange of technology and knowledge has the potential to elevate the global restoration program beyond expected outcomes, with benefits for people, species, and ecosystems.

Photo credit: © Cristina Mittermeier

ERIP’s role & strategy

ERIP presents an opportunity for corporate restoration leaders to support child projects across 20 countries and advance the global restoration program. Building on cutting-edge restoration science of CI and extensive experience of implementing agencies with restoration projects portfolio, companies can deliver impacts beyond climate mitigation through new investments toward securing livelihoods of local communities, safeguarding ecosystem services, securing biodiversity benefits and creating jobs.  

Our private sector engagement vision: To catalyze private sector investment in large-scale ecosystem restoration by fostering collaboration on innovative project financing, championing global advancements in restoration, and showcasing the transformative power of corporate leadership.

Photo credit: © Starbucks

Our Vision for Success

Success means mobilizing private investment and maximizing impact through innovative financial mechanisms. Achieving this requires the design and implementation of tools that can scale global ecosystem restoration by unlocking private sector funding.

It also means aligning restoration investments with corporate sustainability goals. We will do this by identifying pathways such as carbon and biodiversity credit schemes, ensuring that projects contribute to climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, ecosystem service preservation, and the enhancement of local livelihoods. Supporting both individual and portfolio projects will be key to maximizing long-term impact and contributing to the 30% restoration target by 2030.

Success also involves advancing technology for monitoring and impact measurement. We will collaborate with the private sector and country projects to develop and apply advanced technologies that track restoration progress and measure biodiversity and climate outcomes. Leveraging new technological advances will help consolidate global restoration knowledge and improve effectiveness.

Finally, success is about fostering innovation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Through participation in ERIP’s Private Sector Advisory Group, companies will exchange best practices, publish case studies, and contribute to the establishment of the first global restoration forum—creating a space for dialogue among companies, NGOs, governments, and local communities.

Looking Ahead

Companies across multiple sectors will have an opportunity to get involved in the program through the project support and landscape initiatives, also by demonstrating leadership on nature and climate action through participation in the Advisory Group, enabling private sector driven innovation and best practice exchange and providing ample opportunities for communicating impact of the program. The companies will gain access to collaboration with 7+ global agencies, national governments, multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations, ensuring delivery of high-quality, large-scale restoration projects.

There are several pathways for the companies to engage in the global restoration program:

Collaborate on innovative ecosystem restoration projects. The ERIP GP serves as a platform for connecting companies with the ERIP Project Portfolio and other restoration projects. These projects can support delivery of corporate nature and climate commitments through cutting-edge restoration techniques, financing mechanisms, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Support global advancements in the practice of ecosystem restoration. Through the program, we will leverage restoration expertise from ERIP partners alongside the private sector – including technical expertise in restoration, equipment, and technology and data solutions – to advance leading practices in ecosystem restoration.
Advance the business case for private sector leadership in ecosystem restoration. Opportunities for private sector partners of the ERIP to participate in the Private Sector Advisory Council, a platform to share and amplify leading corporate experience in ecosystem restoration.