UNEP Planetary Funds Biennial Report 2023–2024

This biennial report presents the achievements and impact of UNEP's Planetary Funds during 2023-2024. Launched in 2022 on UNEP's 50th anniversary, the three thematic funds—Climate, Nature, and Pollution—address the triple planetary crisis through flexible, innovative funding mechanisms. Having raised over US$30 million from countries including Belgium, Finland, Norway, and the Philippines, the funds support initiatives that tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution simultaneously. Key accomplishments include backing plastic pollution negotiations, developing the Food Waste Index to help countries reduce emissions, supporting African entrepreneurs through the Restoration Factory incubator program, advancing peatland conservation through the Global Peatlands Initiative, and promoting sustainable blue economy transitions. The report demonstrates how these funds enable UNEP to overcome traditional project limitations, develop long-term strategies addressing root causes of environmental crises, and deliver cross-cutting benefits across all three planetary challenges while expanding partnerships with governments, financial institutions, and philanthropies.