MDB Common Principles for Tracking Nature Finance

Overview & Synopsis

The Common Principles have been developed by the multilateral development banks (MDBs) participating in the MDB Nature Working Group. MDBs launched the first version of the Common Principles in 2023. These responded to the 2021 MDB Joint Statement on Nature, People and Planet, which recognized that tackling poverty, climate change and the drivers of nature loss are inextricably linked, and affirmed MDB commitments to further mainstream nature into their policies, analyses, assessments, advice, investments and operations. Among others, the Joint Statement outlined MDB commitments to tackle the drivers of nature loss by fostering nature finance and to develop methodologies to better track these investments across MDB portfolios. The Common Principles for Tracking Nature Finance consist of definitions, guidelines and a standardized list of eligible activities that allow for consistent tracking of MDB financial flows supporting nature (“nature” refers to biodiversity, including genes, species and ecosystems, and the services it provides).