Impact - Legacy Landscapes Fund

LLF places special focus on conservation measures that effectively address key threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, and in the second half of 2022 developed its impact indicator framework at a program and site-level to track these conservation measures.

Site-level indicators are reported by grantees to LLF as part of semi-annual program reporting. The reporting templates were developed in a participatory approach together with donors and implementing partners. As of January 2023, implementing partners are required to regularly report on their progress and finances according to the LLF monitoring framework.

Portfolio size

funded sites

Total funding commitment

million USD

Area covered

km squared

Secure USD one billion by 2030

USD 285 million secured 28%

Finance 30 sites by 2030

14 legacy landscapes funded 46%

Global goals

LLF was set up to advance urgent global ambitions to curb biodiversity loss and prevent climate change.

By funding legacy landscapes, we work towards the goals laid out by international frameworks such as 30×30, COP targets for biodiversity and climate change, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Advancing COP15 Targets

In December 2022, governments from around the world attended COP15 in Montreal to decide upon a new set of global goals to preserve biodiversity. Below we outline how LLF’s work directly contributes to many of these targets.

The full text of the COP15 targets can be viewed here.

Target 1

Ensure that all areas are under participatory integrated biodiversity inclusive spatial planning and/or effective management processes addressing land and sea use change, to bring the loss of areas of high biodiversity importance, including ecosystems of high ecological integrity, close to zero by 2030, while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

How does LLF contribute?

LLF aims to provide long-term, reliable funding to 30 of the world’s most globally important biodiverse areas by the year 2030, with the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities at the heart of its conservation approach.

Target 2

Ensure that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine ecosystems are under effective restoration, in order to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, ecological integrity and connectivity.

How does LLF contribute?

LLF’s legacy landscapes, which are terrestrial protected areas of immense significance, receive USD one million per year for 15 years to ensure effective area management and governance, protect flora and fauna, and reduce ecosystem degradation.

Target 3

Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas [...]

How does LLF contribute?

LLF works closely with its partners on the ground to ensure that the protected areas it funds are equitably governed and deploy a range of effective, and often innovative, conservation approaches. Conservation programmes are informed and led by LLF’s stringent environmental and social safeguards systems, which ensures the respect of and meaningful inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities.

Target 4

Ensure urgent management actions, to halt human induced extinction of known threatened species and for the recovery and conservation of species, in particular threatened species, to significantly reduce extinction risk, as well as to maintain and restore the genetic diversity within and between populations of native, wild and domesticated species [...]

How does LLF contribute?

LLF supports experienced NGOs and locally based actors to manage protected areas in ways that are conducive to preserving threatened species and ensuring their long-term survival. Legacy landscapes are home to many endangered and threatened species. LLF funding goes directly to preserving the ecosystems of these animals using best practice conservation approaches.

Target 5

Ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal, preventing overexploitation, minimizing impacts on non-target species and ecosystems, and reducing the risk of pathogen spill-over, applying the ecosystem approach, while respecting and protecting customary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local communities.

How does LLF contribute?

LLF funds holistic conservation approaches that promote long-term sustainability of ecosystems while also maintaining keen awareness that indigenous peoples and local communities are the best custodians of their traditional lands. Respect to local custom and livelihoods must run in tandem with species protection.

Target 6

Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species [...]

How does LLF contribute?

LLF will not finance any activity that involves the introduction of, or increased competitiveness of, invasive species, as detailed in our environmental and social safeguards system. Throughout LLF’s funding process, we aim to ensure that negative environmental impacts, such as those that arise from invasive alien species, are identified, mitigated and duly documented to inform and strengthen conservation strategy.

Target 7

Reduce pollution risks and the negative impact of pollution from all sources, by 2030, to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services [...]

How does LLF contribute?

Protected areas mitigate pollution: trees and other vegetation absorb pollutants through their leaves and needles, thereby contributing to improved air quality for humans and wildlife alike. By preserving natural areas, we maintain the filtering capacity of nature. Our exclusion list forbids the financing of extractive industries and the production or trade of many pollutants.

Target 8

Minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions, including through nature-based solution and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimizing negative and fostering positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity.

How does LLF contribute?

Terrestrial ecosystems such as rainforests and wetlands are invaluable sinks for human-driven carbon emissions, and sequester enormous amounts of carbon annually. LLF recognizes that carbon sequestration is a priceless ecosystem service, and prioritizes protected areas’ role as climate regulators as well as their biodiversity value.

Target 9

Ensure that the management and use of wild species are sustainable, thereby providing social, economic and environmental benefits for people, especially those in vulnerable situations and those most dependent on biodiversity [...]

How does LLF contribute?

People as well as animals live in and around protected areas. LLF and its partners works closely with these communities to support long-term sustainable management of legacy landscapes. LLF provides flexible funding, which means that grants are often used to finance important livelihood and community programs in and around national parks.

Target 11

Ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are managed sustainably, in particular through the sustainable use of biodiversity, including through a substantial increase of the application of biodiversity friendly practices, such as sustainable intensification, agroecological and other innovative approaches [...]

How does LLF contribute?

LLF’s approach to conservation is holistic, and supports conservation programs that are both innovative and take into account important factors such as local livelihoods and climate change. We work with and fund organisations and communities who have expertise in sustainable management of national parks and their buffer zones for both the benefit of people and biodiversity.

Target 12

Significantly increase the area and quality and connectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas sustainably, by mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and ensure biodiversity-inclusive urban planning [...]

How does LLF contribute?

Effective management of biodiversity hotspots can include sustainable tourism. LLF’s flexible funding enables national parks to improve tourist infrastructure where appropriate in order to support biodiversity protection, local areas, and national economies.

Target 19

Substantially and progressively increase the level of financial resources from all sources, in an effective, timely and easily accessible manner, including domestic, international, public and private resources, in accordance with Article 20 of the Convention, to implement national biodiversity strategies and action plans, by 2030 mobilizing at least 200 billion United States dollars per year [...]

How does LLF contribute?

LLF is an innovative funding model that sources sustained funding from both public and private donors. This allows us to leverage the potential of a wide variety of international funding sources. With LLF up and running, public and private funders from all around the world can efficiently direct their financing towards trusted conservation efforts.

Target 21

Ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge, are accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the public to guide effective and equitable governance, integrated and participatory management of biodiversity, and to strengthen communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management and, also in this context, traditional knowledge [...]

How does LLF contribute?

LLF is a learning organisation. In addition to providing long-term financing, we aim to be a platform for global learning, innovation, and conservation solutions.

Target 22

Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities [...]

How does LLF contribute?

A gender perspective is actively incorporated into LLF’s grantmaking process. LLF’s work is guided by international human rights standards, which include the promotion of gender equality and equity. LLF requires its grantees to diligently implement environmental and social safeguards, inclusive of gender considerations, on site.

Advancing SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. These 17 global goals recognize that equitable development involves supporting people, nature, and climate as one. Below we outline how LLF’s work helps us achieve the SDGS.

More details about the SDGs can be found here.

1. No Poverty

Effective conservation in a region can promote livelihoods, educational opportunities, economic development, and sustainable tourism.

2. Zero Hunger

Preserving biodiversity is key to ensuring food security. By sustainably managing natural landscapes and supporting local communities, we ensure sustainable food production.

3. Good Health and Well-Being

As biodiversity declines, humans face greater risk of zoonotic disease and lose potential cures for health problems across the spectrum.

4. Quality Education

Conservation programs often provide educational resources to many local communities, supporting people to learn about biodiversity, climate resilience, and natural resource management.

5. Gender Equality

Effective management of natural resources requires both men and women to lead and participate. LLF requires its grantees to consider gender in their conservation programs.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

Our legacy landscapes include many freshwater sources that are essential for the well-being and livelihoods of surrounding communities.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

Effective conservation programs support communities to develop sustainable energy sources in the region while simultaneously respecting nature and biodiversity.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Conservation drives employment and livelihoods around the world. The ecosystem services and tourism opportunities provided by protected areas are crucial pillars of many national economies.

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Conservation is an innovative industry that propels local infrastructure and research forward. LLF works alongside its partners and grantees to develop and implement conservation innovation.

10. Reduced Inequalities

LLF was set up to address the biodiversity financing gap between the global north and south. Our conservation funding goes directly to nations and communities that need it most.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

Holistic conservation programs enable many communities and regions to develop equitably. Protected areas can be key to preserving valuable ecosystem services, which provide innumerable sustainable growth opportunities.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Preserving outstanding natural areas means managing these resources efficiently. We support local people and experts to both maintain and yield benefits from protected areas.

13. Climate Action

Protecting biodiversity and protecting the climate go hand in hand. Natural landscapes regulate our climate, while conservation programs support necessary climate resilience measures for people and wildlife.

15. Life on Land

LLF funds terrestrial conservation. Its aim is to provide long-term funding to outstanding terrestrial landscapes for the benefit of biodiversity, people, and climate.

Funding Conservation for Eternity

Portfolio size

Total funding commitment

Area covered

Global goals

Advancing COP15 Targets

Target 1

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Target 2

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Target 3

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Target 4

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Target 5

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Target 6

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Target 7

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Target 8

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Target 9

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Target 11

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Target 12

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Target 19

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Target 21

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Target 22

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Advancing SDGs

1. No Poverty

2. Zero Hunger

3. Good Health and Well-Being

4. Quality Education

5. Gender Equality

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

10. Reduced Inequalities

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

13. Climate Action

15. Life on Land