President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced new national initiatives to boost conservation and climate change-related innovation. “Private and philanthropic investment is an important tool in the conservation toolbox. By increasing innovation across three areas – policy, finance, and technology – more of this capital can be brought off the sidelines and into the game,” according to a strategy document released by the White House.
“I’ve made it a priority in my presidency to protect the natural resources we’ve inherited because we shouldn’t be the last to enjoy them. Just as the health of the land and the people are tied together, just as climate and conservation are tied together, we share a sacred connection with those who are going to follow us,” Obama said announcing the new initiatives at the 20th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
The new document sets a goal of achieving $10 billion in annual support for conservation from private and philanthropic impact investments, issues new guidance on mitigating the impacts of development and encouraging greater conservation, announces the development of a new market-based conservation approach, and reaffirms support for innovative financing for water infrastructure.