News 18 Nov, 2022

Luxembourg becomes an IUCN Framework Partner to help combat climate change and nature loss

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 17 November 2022 (IUCN) – Today, the government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) signed a multi-year Framework Partnership agreement. The agreement will see Luxembourg provide critically important core funding to support IUCN in the delivery of its global programme, Nature 2030, for people and nature.

The Honourable Joëlle Welfring, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development of Luxembourg and IUCN Director General Dr Bruno Oberle signed the agreement at COP27 in Egypt.

“With this four-year programme, we are deepening our strategic partnership with IUCN in one of the most promising and significant areas of our cooperation efforts: pioneering cross-cutting action in the nexus of biodiversity and climate,” said Minister Joëlle Welfring.

“I am proud to welcome Luxembourg amongst our strategic Framework Partners and grateful for the support and trust that Luxembourg places in IUCN through this agreement. The critical core funding that it provides will enable IUCN to innovate further and better effect impact on a global scale,” said IUCN Director General Dr Bruno Oberle.

Through this multi-year agreement, the government of Luxembourg – a long-time state member of IUCN – joins IUCN’s group of strategic Framework Partners who provide core support to the Union.

Luxembourg’s longstanding support of IUCN’s efforts to scale-up innovative finance approaches for nature has included its role as the first seed donor to the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF). The Facility helps takes blended finance for Nature-based Solutions to scale by supporting innovative entrepreneurs in the sustainable ocean-based economy in attracting new, private capital. Funded activities range from sustainable aquaculture and seaweed farming, community-based ecotourism and ecosystem restoration and conservation efforts.

The new agreement will deepen and expand the existing collaboration between IUCN and Luxembourg, including on ways to accelerate the contribution of business to addressing the global climate and nature crises, building on Luxembourg’s globally recognised thought leadership in this area.