Nature-linked loans
The narrative that pits profit against planet, livelihoods against landscapes, is breaking down. In its place, new models are emerging, showing that regenerative business is not only possible, but powerful.
In today’s economies, regeneration is costly and those who are doing this work often aren't recognised or rewarded. That’s why we're creating a new model.
Nature-linked loans provide financial capital to businesses that are conserving, restoring, adapting and using sustainable agricultural practices to improve outcomes in their local environments, and conserving healthy ecosystems for us all.
To be eligible for a loan, you need to have a positive impact on landscapes directly or by partnering with farmers, land-owners and producers.
How nature-linked loans work
At the core of each nature-linked loan is a series of milestones that are tied to interest rate reductions. Co-designed with each loan partner, these milestones are built upon the work a business is already doing and focus on delivering outcomes for biodiversity and local communities.
By tying financial incentives to returns in nature, business and people, our loans aim to redefine return on investment — not just as profit, but as regeneration.
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We accept and review loan enquiries on an ongoing basis. Here’s an outline of the process.
- Enquiry
Submit a loan enquiry. If your work aligns with our nature-positive criteria, we’ll set up an introductory call to learn more about your business and goals.
- Application
If a nature-linked loan could be a good fit for your business, we’ll invite you to complete our loan application. After reviewing the application, we’ll follow up with any questions and schedule another meeting to further understand your business.
- Loan structuring
If your application progresses, we’ll begin setting up the loan. This includes legal documentation, security and due diligence.
- Milestones
Together, we’ll co-design a set of milestones tailored to your context and the work you’re already doing for nature and local livelihoods. These are linked to regenerative outcomes for nature, business and communities, and tied to potential interest rate reductions. As part of this process, we’ll work with you to understand what baseline data exists or is needed to track and understand impact over time.
- During the loan
Across the loan period, we stay closely involved as you work towards the agreed milestones and carry out any necessary baselining or measurement. We also offer non-financial support where helpful.
Looking for specifics? You’re in the right place.
What regions do you operate in?
Our loans initially focused on cacao businesses in and near tropical rainforests. Now, we deploy loans globally, supporting businesses of all types, in all landscapes, that are delivering biodiversity outcomes.
How are loans structured?
Nature-linked loans can be a line of credit or a term loan, depending on the needs of the business.
What size and currency are your loans?
Loan amounts generally range from $100k to $500k. Most loans are currently in USD and AUD. If you are interested in another currency please let our team know.
What are your interest rates?
Interest rates for loans depend on your geographic region, business stage, security and currency.
Zorzal is a 412-hectare bird reserve in the Dominican Republic’s northern mountain ranges. The business’ mission is to use cacao to finance conservation, designating 70% of the property as “forever wild” to protect thick forests and clear streams for the migratory Bicknell's thrush, and using the remaining land to grow premium cacao in a diverse agroforesty system.
Zorzal’s mission is to use cacao to finance conservation.
In 2022, founder Charles Kerchner secured a nature-linked loan to scale the business by purchasing cacao from neighbouring farmers and protecting more critical habitat for migratory bird species.
Read the case study.
