Biodiversity fund launched to tap drug company profits remains almost empty
The Cali Fund was created to raise $1bn a year from companies that benefit from genetic resources, with the money supporting conservation in low-income countries. More than 18 months after launch, it had received only about $10,656 in commitments, with $7,085 deposited, and major pharmaceutical firms had given nothing. Researchers estimate the top 15 drug companies could have contributed $756m under the fund’s voluntary guidelines.
The Cali Fund aims to channel $1bn a year into conservation in poorer countries by inviting firms that use genetic data to contribute voluntarily. At the Cop17 biodiversity summit in Armenia, it reported $10,656 pledged and $7,085 received, with no major drug company payments.
Analysts calculated that the 15 largest pharmaceutical firms could have supplied $756m under the fund’s suggested rates—1% of profit or 0.1% of revenue—after earning about $161bn in 2025. Half the fund’s proceeds are meant for priorities set by Indigenous peoples and local communities.
If contributions stay low, conservation projects in low-income countries and Indigenous-led priorities may receive less support, potentially affecting communities that depend on healthy ecosystems. Pharmaceutical firms could face reputational pressure, while patients may be indirectly affected if nature loss undermines future drug discovery. The fund’s design may also shape expectations about voluntary corporate payments for biodiversity.