On February 16th, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission officially launched a new joint financing mechanism for projects related to natural capital. 

The Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF) is a financial instrument that combines EIB financing and European Commission funding under the LIFE Programme, the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The NCFF, which will be managed by the EIB, will will support projects that are focused on biodiversity and ecosystem services and thus contribute to meeting the objectives set out by LIFE, in particular nature and biodiversity, and climate change adaptation.

The NCFF will provide financial support to projects in order to generate revenue or save costs. In doing so, the Facility aims to prove to the market and to potential investors the attractiveness of biodiversity and climate adaptation operations in order to promote sustainable investments from the private sector. The pilot phase of the NCFF project will last 3 years (2014-2017) with up to EUR 125 million being made available for investments in 9-12 operations. 

For further information, <link http: www.eib.org infocentre press releases all _blank external-link-new-window externen link in neuem>please visit the EIB website.