DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Brazil and Colombia are biodiversity hotspots whose ecological wealth is at risk (IPBES, 2018). Key impact drivers include, for example, habitat fragmentation and loss. By attracting sufficient funding, promoting and establishing sustainable practices, the conservation and restoration of biodiversity can become compatible with economic prosperity.
In response, both countries have initiated sustainable finance taxonomies, which set standards for scaling up sustainable investments and should facilitate finance in this regard. In Brazil, this refers to the Brazilian Federation of Banks’ (FEBRABAN) green taxonomy. In Colombia, this refers to the taxonomy that is just in the process of development at the national level.
This research and capacity building project focuses on empowering relevant policymakers and financial market actors in the use and application of sustainable finance taxonomies in Brazil and Colombia, considering biodiversity and ecosystems. Additionally, it raises interest in the application of such taxonomies among companies from biodiversity-relevant sectors via practical examples.
Through the knowledge exchange between the target region and the EU, international cooperation will be strengthened to harmonize sustainable finance practices. The project will thus enable a post-COVID-19 recovery in harmony with nature and the achievement of international biodiversity goals.

“Research and capacity building activities for mainstreaming biodiversity for financial operations, this is our goal”

Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and more specifically the UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance is a strategic cooperation on cutting-edge research, policy advice, education and project implementation on sustainable, climate and biodiversity finance with international experience. Frankfurt School brings in its extensive knowledge on the EU Taxonomy and leads the activities related to knowledge exchange, international research and capacity building with European and International focus.
Fondo Acción is a Colombian private fund with more than 20 years of experience in sustainable investments in the environment and childhood protection. In this timeframe, Fondo Acción has invested more than USD 100 billion, created six long-term financial mechanisms, and supported through financial and technical resources more than 1,400 projects.
The Center for Sustainability Studies (FGVces) is a research centre based at Fundação Getulio Vargas School of Administration, in Brazil. Founded in 2003, FGVces has been working on the development of strategies, policies and sustainability management tools for state-owned and private companies at the local, national and international level.
Topics
Sustainable finance / green taxonomies
Nature-positive practices
Data and tools for financial decision-making
Land use impacts and dependencies
Business opportunities
Financing mechanisms (existing and innovative)
Post-2020 CBD Framework (GBF)
Taskforce on nature-related Disclosures (TNFD)
BIOFIN
Other international initiatives
Timeline
A crosscutting line througout the project – capacity building activities and stakeholders consultations/interviews
News
FS-UNEP CENTRE / JUNE 2022
Navigating the biodiversity crisis: notes for the financial sector
FS-UNEP CENTRE / 31 MARCH 2022
Reports
Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese:
September 2022 – Fondo Acción, Colombia
September 2022 – Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGVces), Brazil