Public-private partnerships are being used in nature conservation with good results. Much of the world’s biodiversity is found in developing countries, yet their national park agencies often lack the resources to protect biodiversity and promote tourism. Only 12% of global spending on protected areas occurs in the developing world. The IFC’s Nico Saporiti recently published a policy note on how public-private partnerships can aid conservation.
Even though African Parks has only begun to restore the integrity of the parks under its management, and transport and lodging facilities are almost nonexistent, the results have been encouraging. Revenue from its park in Zambia, for example, rose from less than US$100 in 2002 (before the partnership was launched) to US$42,000 in 2005, with local communities earning an additional US$9,000 from tourism.
These types of partnerships are also enhancing conservation in Brazil. See a post from Rachel Kyte on preventing biodiversity loss.
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