Eternal Mongolia will ensure the community-based conservation of vast natural areas including the planet’s last intact temperate grassland.
April 21st 2024 marks a significant milestone as the Government of Mongolia, together with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and other partners, unveils ‘Eternal Mongolia’—a groundbreaking initiative designed to perpetuate conservation efforts and foster sustainable community development across Mongolia’s vast landscapes. Known for harboring the planet’s last great expanse of intact temperate grassland, Mongolia is setting a global precedent with this ambitious Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Fast-Track Conservation Efforts
‘Eternal Mongolia’ will channel $198 million in new investments over the next 15 years into Mongolia’s conservation efforts, greatly enhancing the management of the nation’s entire National Protected Area network, which spans over 47 million hectares. This initiative will also extend support to sustainable herding and bolster the burgeoning sustainable tourism sector, setting a benchmark for land and freshwater conservation worldwide.
A key component of the initiative is a $71 million transition fund sourced from private and global donors. This fund is designed to fast-track Mongolia’s conservation objectives while establishing long-term financial strategies to ensure the sustainability of protected areas and the enduring prosperity of the Mongolian community.
During the recent UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, TNC’s CEO Jennifer Morris and the Mongolian President discussed the critical role of the ‘Eternal Mongolia’ PFP in achieving Mongolia’s environmental goals. “Mongolia’s tradition of revering nature is deeply embedded in our culture,” stated OYUN-ERDENE Luvsannamsrai, Prime Minister of Mongolia. “Our Vision-2050 policy outlines bold green development strategies and conservation initiatives that this global partnership will significantly propel forward.”
The initiative not only aims to protect the environment but also to mitigate the severe effects of climate change that Mongolia is currently experiencing. “The frequency and intensity of climate-induced disasters such as harsh winters, droughts, and dust storms are on the rise, with the average annual temperature having increased by 2.25°C over the past 80 years—the highest increase globally,” explained Bat-Erdene Bat-Ulzii, Mongolia’s Minister of Environment and Tourism.
The PFP will also empower local communities to propose and implement conservation projects, safeguarding an additional 14.4 million hectares of Mongolia’s diverse ecosystems. These efforts are supported by the Mongolian Nature’s Legacy Foundation, an independent trust specifically set up to manage donor funds with transparency and efficacy.
Moreover, ‘Eternal Mongolia’ emphasizes community involvement in conservation, a strategy that not only protects natural resources but also respects and integrates traditional nomadic lifestyles. Munkhbat Tserendorj, Executive Director for Homyn Talyn Takhi NGO, emphasized, “The success of this initiative hinges on the active participation of nomadic herding families, whose traditional knowledge and stewardship are crucial for the sustainable management of protected areas.”
This initiative is part of the broader Enduring Earth collaboration, which includes major conservation organizations like The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and ZOMALAB. Together, they aim to implement conservation projects that effectively address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Lead image courtesy of The Nature Conservancy
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