Global Systems & Policy
Memo
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Debt for Environment Swaps

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Debt swaps aim to alleviate these pressures by offering some level of debt relief in return for commitments to devote freed up financial resources toward achieving environmental objectives. 

  • Debt for Environment Swaps are a tool meant to reduce Global South countries’ debt burden to enable increased investment in environmental priorities like biodiversity conservation or climate change adaptation.
  • Debt for Environment Swaps have a long history dating back to the 3rd World Debt Crisis and can be a useful stopgap measure to contend with debt distress and environmental degradation in limited ways.
  • These swaps have a number of drawbacks and are not a substitute for a new, comprehensive global debt architecture or increased direct funding for environmental priorities flowing from North to South.
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