Peruvian Amazon gains $74.5M climate boost

April 05, 2026

A significant new climate investment is set to enhance long-term conservation efforts across more than 15 million hectares of the Peruvian Amazon while strengthening Indigenous-led climate resilience initiatives.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a $37.5 million grant for Peru’s flagship initiative, Natural Legacy – Amazon & Climate (PdP A&C). With total funding reaching $74.5 million—including $37 million in co-financing—this program will accelerate climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts throughout one of the world’s most critical ecosystems. The initiative will also support thousands of Indigenous people who depend on these protected landscapes for their livelihoods.

Strengthening protected areas and community resilience

This ambitious project unites the Government of Peru, Profonanpe, World Wildlife Fund, and eight Indigenous organizations. Together, they aim to improve management efficiency and ensure long-term financial sustainability for 25 Natural Protected Areas and four buffer zones—covering nearly 18% of the Peruvian Amazon.

Over a seven-year period, the program is expected to:

• Prevent approximately 1.8 million tons of carbon emissions

• Enhance ecosystem management across 15.8 million hectares

• Benefit more than 33,000 people directly

• Enable nearly 12,000 individuals to adopt climate-resilient livelihoods

Long-term financing for lasting climate impact

In addition to the GCF grant, the project includes $37 million in co-financing designed to transform how protected areas are funded. This approach will generate sustainable financial flows over the next 25 years, ensuring long-term environmental and climate benefits.

Project implementation will be led by Profonanpe and the National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp), focusing on protected area financing. Meanwhile, WWF-Peru and Indigenous partners will guide investments in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and climate-resilient production systems in vulnerable communities.

This integrated strategy reduces environmental pressures while supporting sustainable livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems.

Indigenous leadership at the core of climate solutions

According to Carter Roberts, this initiative represents a major step forward in sustainable Amazon conservation:

“This funding builds on years of progress in securing long-term financial protection for the Amazon while expanding support directly to Indigenous communities. By combining government leadership, Indigenous knowledge, and sustainable financing, we are creating a powerful model for protecting one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems.”

Closing Peru’s protected area funding gap

A key component of the project is strengthening Patrimonio Natural del Perú, a Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative launched in 2019. This effort aims to eliminate a $5.3 million annual funding shortfall within Peru’s protected area system.

By expanding innovative financing mechanisms—such as eco-tourism revenue, water-based ecosystem service payments (MERESE), and environmental compensation schemes—the initiative is projected to mobilize $131 million in additional funding over the next 25 years.