Biodiversity alliance offers chance to unite world around nature’s value

The Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) offers a major opportunity to unite countries around nature conservation and secure financing for the communities that depend on it.

GBA, a Guyana-led international coalition, was launched to connect governments, Indigenous communities, scientists, and businesses to protect and properly value biodiversity.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Monday, Damian Fernandes, Advisor to the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), highlighted the alliance’s potential to shape a future where biodiversity is valued for sustaining life and supporting generations to come.

“The value of nature goes well beyond things like carbon credits or biodiversity credits,” Fernandes said.

Despite this challenge, he explained, the conference will find ways to reflect that broader value economically while ensuring conservation supports citizens’ livelihoods.

Boasting approximately 86 per cent forest cover, alongside extensive savannas and diverse natural landscapes, Guyana brings a unique and critical perspective to international environmental diplomacy.

Fernandes noted that natural vegetation covers over 90 per cent of the nation’s total landmass—setting Guyana apart from countries that have already lost much of their natural environment.

He emphasised that the GBA will amplify the voices of forest-rich nations, while integrating key lessons from countries working to restore degraded ecosystems.

“You have countries that have already gone through this cycle and made mistakes. They can bring lessons to this conversation. I think those types of perspectives have long been the dominant perspective in conversations around nature on a planetary level.”

As the Global Biodiversity Alliance enters its second year, its core focus has shifted toward financing, specifically addressing how conservation funds directly reach communities and individual households.

Highlighting the drawbacks of traditional project-based support, the PAC Advisor explained that conventional models often leave funding gaps between project cycles and deliver broad community benefits without providing dependable personal income.

“People need nature to live, but people need money for livelihoods,” Mr. Fernandes stated.

He emphasised that Guyana’s pioneering experience in sustainable development can help guide global discussions on structuring international resources for long-term impact.

“We have a chance to do both,” he asserted, reaffirming the alliance’s vision to align environmental preservation with economic security.