“Over the next five years, there’s a 50/50 chance that planetary warming exceeds the all-important 1.5°C threshold. In this decisive decade, every action counts, and your generosity is helping us tip those odds back in humanity’s favor.”
M. Sanjayan, Chief Executive Officer, Conservation International
We work around the world to improve people’s lives through the care and protection of nature.
Stabilizing our climate
To support natural climate solutions, our scientists produced a groundbreaking map of the world’s most carbon-rich ecosystems.
Groundbreaking Conservation International research pinpoints the places on Earth that humanity must protect to avoid a climate catastrophe. And knowing which areas contain the greatest irrecoverable carbon stores can help governments focus critical conservation efforts.
The most ingenious solutions to climate change don’t need to be invented — we already have them. By absorbing and storing carbon from the atmosphere, ecosystems like forests, mangroves and peatlands can help to forestall climate change. Science shows that conserving, restoring or improving the use of these ecosystems — known as natural climate solutions — has the potential to deliver over a third of the emissions reductions we need by 2030 to stabilize our climate.
Doubling ocean protection
Learn how we're working with Indigenous peoples of the Lau Islands to develop a balanced approach to ocean conservation.
Once established, these marine protected areas will provide Fiji, and the world, with a proof of concept – demonstrating how protecting 30% and sustainably managing 100% of an ocean area can benefit local livelihoods, increase resilience to climate change, safeguard biodiversity and strengthen the economy. The Lau Seascape is the most remote island group in Fiji, home to remarkable biodiversity and stunning ecosystems that provide food, cultural value, and livelihoods for its 9,600 inhabitants. Facing immense threats to their environment and culture that mirror challenges across the world, the customary leaders of Lau, with support from the government and partners, have committed to protect their ocean home for current and future generations. This historic moment is made possible thanks to the bold leadership of the Fijian Government together with the customary leaders and people of Lau, who have collectively built the Lau Seascape Initiative since 2013, with the support of multiple civil society partners. The announcement by Hon. Bainimarama signifies the collective will of Pacific peoples and their governments to protect and sustainably manage their oceans at all costs, against the impacts of climate change.
The ocean feeds us, regulates our climate, helps us breathe and supports much of the world’s economy. By the end of the century, however, more of the world’s ocean could be hot, more acidic and lifeless — with catastrophic implications for marine life, Earth’s climate and the food security of billions of people. The science is clear: Setting aside large areas where human activities are carefully managed can buffer our planet against the increasing stressors it faces. That’s why Conservation International is partnering with countries to meet the global goal of conserving 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 and ensuring that production systems in the other 70 percent are sustainable.
Expanding nature-positive economies
Learn about our partnership with a luxury goods brand to restore lands and livelihoods through regenerative farming.
In 2021, Conservation International and Kering launched the Regenerative Fund for Nature to catalyze a movement in the fashion sector — and beyond — toward more regenerative agricultural practices. The Regenerative Fund for Nature seeks to transform agricultural practices by sourcing raw materials such as leather, cotton, wool and cashmere from producers that are restoring soil and ecosystems, protecting biodiversity and improving community livelihoods. The fund provides grants to farming groups, project leaders, non-governmental organizations and others that are ready to test, prove and scale regenerative practices that ensure the long-term viability of the land and deliver benefits for farmers, nature and the climate.
Conservation International is spurring investments from companies and donors that build sustainable supply chains for global commodities, including coffee and palm oil, and reward local fishers, herders and small-scale farmers for producing their goods and services in a way that does not degrade forests and rangelands or pollute freshwater sources.
With partners, we aim to transform 40 million hectares (99 million acres) of globally important lands and waters to a nature-positive model that produces lasting conservation results and improved livelihoods.
Reimagining conservation
Hear from one of the 24 Amazonia Indigenous women supported this year through the Our Future Forests—Amazonia Verde initiative.
To make conservation work for all, it must be more compassionate, conscious and inclusive. It must also continue to embrace and elevate the voices of Indigenous peoples and local communities, whose expertise and knowledge of the land and waters they steward is critical to addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Our impact at a glance
What you've helped accomplish in 2022
Dive deeper
You made so much possible this year. Behind every success story — the groundbreaking research, the vast areas of nature protected and restored, the people benefiting from more sustainable livelihoods — is your dedication and passion.
Thank you for your commitment to nature and our shared future.
Your flexible support matters
Ever wonder what your donation to Conservation International makes possible? Simply put: more than you might imagine.
When you give flexible funding, we put your gift to work where it’s needed most to stabilize our climate, protect oceans and develop planet-positive solutions for nature and people. Flexible, or unrestricted, support enables:
Impact
All projects in this report are either fully or partially funded by flexible gifts.
Agility
When a great opportunity arises, flexible funding expedites our response.
Innovation
We use flexible support to test a concept when it’s a nascent – yet potentially transformative – idea.
Leverage
In some cases, we cannot access large public funding without private funding. Overall, $1 of flexible funding leverages another $3 in public or corporate support.
Quality
We are proud to have leading minds in natural and social science, policy, finance and business working together to improve people’s lives through the care and protection of nature. You make this possible.
We're grateful to have you by our side