A new study finds Australia spends far more on subsidies that harm biodiversity than on conservation, underscoring the need to reform fiscal policy to meet its 2030 global nature targets.
BackAustralia spends US$18 billion more harming nature than protecting it, study finds
abatify summary
Ecosystem Impact
The significant funding gap accelerates habitat degradation and biodiversity loss by actively incentivizing land clearing and resource extraction. This fiscal imbalance undermines existing conservation programs, leading to the continued decline of native species and the weakening of natural carbon sinks across the continent.
Systemic Reality
This disparity highlights a profound misalignment between national fiscal policy and international environmental commitments, such as the 2030 global nature targets. It signals an urgent need for subsidy reform to prevent market distortions that favor high-impact industries, potentially triggering a shift in how financial risks related to nature loss are integrated into public and private investment frameworks.
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