For co-existence, (bio)diversity and justice in conservation

Conservation Basic Income (CBI)

A Convivial Approach to Conservation
At Convivial Conservation, we believe conservation should promote harmony between people and nature. Conservation Basic Income (CBI) embodies this philosophy by prioritising equity, local empowerment, and the sustainable management of ecosystems. Unlike traditional conservation models that impose restrictions on communities, CBI nurtures collaboration, giving local stewards the means to protect nature while meeting their own needs

What is CBI?
CBI is a transformative approach where individuals and communities receive unconditional payments for their efforts in preserving biodiversity. It reflects our principle of equitable coexistence by recognising that people living closest to nature are its most effective guardians when supported.

How CBI Reflects Convivial Conservation Principles

Empower Communities: CBI shifts conservation power to local people, aligning with our goal of making conservation inclusive and participatory. By providing financial support without restrictive conditions, it respects autonomy while enabling long-term stewardship​.

Promote Systemic Change: Like convivial conservation, CBI challenges the status quo of top-down conservation by addressing root causes of biodiversity loss, such as economic inequality and resource dependency. It ensures that those who sustain ecosystems are rewarded, fostering fairness

Foster Coexistence: CBI celebrates and nurtures human-nature relationships, viewing conservation not as a trade-off but as an integrated part of local livelihoods​.

Image from de Lange et al. (2023)

Why It Matters

video credits: Word Economic Forum

CBI Projects

You can read more about CBI here:
The conservation revolution
Conservation basic income: A non-market mechanism to support convivial conservation
A global conservation basic income to safeguard biodiversity
Is conservation basic income a good idea? A scoping study of the views of conservation professionals on cash giving programmes