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Today, I’m joined by Abbie Trinidad, Anabelle Plantilla, and Niran Nirannoot from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a UNDP-led programme now active in 131 countries. In this conversation, we explore how BIOFIN is tackling the biodiversity finance gap through practical ecotourism and conservation finance models in the Philippines and Thailand. We discuss community-led approaches in Sibalom Natural Park, tourist user charges and coral reef restoration on Koh Tao, and mangrove conservation in Phetchaburi. Along the way, we examine what it takes to attract private sector interest into biodiversity projects, the importance of policy and local institutions, and why conservation is increasingly an economic issue as much as an environmental one.
\"Conservation is not just an environmental issue, it is actually an economic one\" - Anabelle
00:05 – Intro & BIOFIN guests
00:36 – Favourite trees (icebreaker)
01:48 – What is BIOFIN?
05:53 – Why private investment matters
07:56 – Biodiversity investment opportunities
09:13 – Philippines: Sibalom Natural Park
12:11 – Community ecotourism model
18:36 – Early biodiversity outcomes
23:15 – Carbon credits & policy gaps
29:24 – Thailand: Koh Tao case
32:29 – Tourist fee & fintech system
39:00 – Impact: waste & coral recovery
42:03 – Mangroves, co-investment & carbon
48:36 – Key challenges & investor mindset
52:55 – Final takeaway: nature as investment
Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink
Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives
Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud
Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud
Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)
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