# Ecuador wants to monetize its biodiversity — while still drilling for oil

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ecuador-wants-to-monetize-its-biodiversity-while-still-drilling-for-oil/
- Published: 2026-11-14T06:00:01+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T10:42:48+00:00
- Original publisher: CNBC (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/14/ecuador-biodiversity-green-finance-oil.html
- Topics: Business, Environment, Science

## Key points

- Ecuador is seeking new finance for biodiversity conservation.
- Two debt swaps freed up about $1.1 billion.
- Oil and minerals plans have prompted protests.

## Summary

Ecuador wants to attract more funding to protect its biodiversity while continuing to develop critical minerals and extract oil in parts of the Amazon. Those competing aims have drawn protests from Indigenous and environmental groups, making the country’s approach a balancing act.

The government is pursuing financial tools including debt-for-nature swaps and its first sovereign green bond, and plans to host the UN biodiversity summit, COP18, in 2028. A $120 million biodiversity bond issued in March by IDB Invest and Banco Bolivariano will support conservation projects; two earlier debt swaps freed up about $1.1 billion for conservation in the Amazon and Galapagos.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.