NATURAL CAPITAL

Problem

Latin America and the Caribbean is richly endowed with biodiversity, and the rural poor in the region depend directly on this natural capital and the services provided by natural ecosystems for their livelihoods, jobs and businesses. Often MSMEs and the rural poor lack the tools, capabilities, and financial and accounting mechanisms to realize the full economic value of their natural capital, which includes biodiversity, GHG offset credits, flora and fauna, and other environmental resources.

Objective:

The MIF aims to help MSMEs and local communities to leverage the value of natural capital where biodiversity is greatest or under threat– without diminishing natural capital itself.

MIF Solutions:

• The MIF promotes market-oriented approaches and innovative financing schemes that help MSMEs and stakeholders in communities to live “off the interest” of natural capital rather than simply to expend it, and to convert natural capital into greater flows of profit, wages, and employment, by improving every aspect of production, extraction, distribution, packaging, marketing and branding.

Results and Impact:

• Leverage payments for environmental services and offsets, including carbon offsets.
• MSMEs improve their revenues through green business models.
• New certification or labeling schemes are promoted for MSME products related to biodiversity, artisanal mining, GHG management and carbon neutrality.

OUR PROJECTS