Bezos Earth Fund: Pledging $10bn for Nature-Based Solutions

Climate change and environmental degradation are among the most urgent challenges of our time, demanding rapid action and innovative solutions. 

The Bezos Earth Fund, through its unprecedented US$10bn commitment, is spearheading efforts to protect ecosystems, mitigate emissions and promote climate equity worldwide. 

By combining science, technology and community engagement, the Fund aims to catalyse a future in which both people and nature can thrive. 

Its latest collaboration with The Earthshot Prize exemplifies this approach, supporting groundbreaking projects that accelerate transformative environmental solutions.

Supporting high-impact innovations

The new partnership with The Earthshot Prize aims to fund 48 pioneering initiatives over the next three years, providing US$4.8m in total support. 

Each year, 16 promising solutions are due to receive US$100,000 to scale their operations and amplify impact. 

These projects, ranging from advanced technology to community-based conservation, demonstrate the Fund’s commitment to backing high-leverage, bold ideas capable of driving measurable change in climate mitigation and nature protection.

“Innovation is everywhere, from labs to local communities,” says Dr. Kelly Levin, Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change at the Bezos Earth Fund.

“Yet too often, these ideas remain small when the world urgently needs them at scale. 

“Through our partnership with The Earthshot Prize, we can help ensure these breakthroughs don’t simply stay sparks of promise but grow into transformative solutions capable of reshaping our future trajectory. 

“With new funding opportunities and the reach of The Earthshot Prize’s unparalleled global network, we are unlocking pathways for bold climate and nature innovations to expand across borders, accelerate systemic change and deliver the impact this decisive decade demands to protect people and the planet.”

Protecting the planet

A central focus of the Fund is the 30x30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. 

The Fund states that to date, only 15% of land and 8% of oceans are formally protected, often in fragmented or under-resourced areas. 

By partnering with governments, NGOs and Indigenous communities, the Fund supports conservation efforts in biodiversity-rich regions such as the Congo Basin, Tropical Andes, western Amazon and the tropical Pacific Ocean. 

Securing land titles and enhancing guardianship for local communities can ensure that conservation efforts are equitable, sustainable and effective over the long term.

“Partnering with the Bezos Earth Fund on this unique funding initiative is a powerful testament to both organisations’ commitment to elevating and scaling breakthrough climate solutions,” says Jason Knauf LVO, CEO of The Earthshot Prize.

“The Earthshot Prize selects 15 Finalists each year, but our wider pool of nominations represents a global pipeline of innovators and investable solutions that benefit both people and the planet. 

“Collaborating with the Bezos Earth Fund to support additional high-potential solutions is at the heart of commitment to working with partners who share our vision. 

“By combining our strengths to support 48 carefully selected grantees from The Earthshot Prize’s pool of nominations, our partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund means we will continue to drive systemic change beyond our annual Prize cycle, delivering real-world impact at scale and speed.”

Climate, science and technology

Scientific research and cutting-edge technology are core to the Fund’s strategy. 

From satellite monitoring systems to AI-driven carbon tracking, these tools help to provide critical insights into emissions, land-use changes and ecosystem health. 

Initiatives like MethaneSat and the Land and Carbon Lab enable accurate, real-time data collection, making it possible to hold polluters accountable and target interventions effectively. 

By grounding action in rigorous science, the Fund ensures that investments are both impactful and scalable.

All sustainability, net zero and sustainable supply chain leaders should attend:

• Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
• Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, these events brings together CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.

The Fund also prioritises climate equity, recognising that marginalised and vulnerable communities are disproportionately affected by environmental crises. 

By supporting environmental justice programs, the Fund empowers these communities as key agents of change, integrating local knowledge with global strategies. 

This approach ensures that climate solutions not only protect the planet but also enhance human well-being, aligning conservation efforts with social justice.

The Bezos Earth Fund’s partnership with The Earthshot Prize represents a new chapter in large-scale environmental philanthropy, one that combines ambition, innovation and equity to tackle the climate crisis and safeguard nature for generations to come.