Unveiled: The "Cali Fund" for natural preservation remains unfilled, disclosed emails indicate, as they expose reluctance within the industries
The Cali Fund, a UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) initiative aimed at sharing profits from the use of genetic resources, has yet to receive any contributions despite its launch in February 2025. The fund was created to encourage companies that derive products from nature's genetic resources to voluntarily share some profits, aiding biodiversity-rich developing countries.
According to emails released under the UK Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, companies were contacted with opportunities to be involved in the Cali Fund before its launch. However, the fund remains voluntary, and no legally binding mechanism exists for companies to contribute.
AstraZeneca and GSK, two of the UK's largest pharmaceutical companies, have shown hesitation and have not yet committed to making voluntary contributions. AstraZeneca stated it was "in the process of conducting an assessment to define our position" and would welcome conversations after concluding its review. GSK, another major company in the sector, stated it was "awaiting further clarification on a number of key elements" before deciding and would respond "in due course."
The Cali Fund was designed to be a way for companies who rely on nature's genetic resources to share some of their earnings with the developing, biodiverse countries where many of the original resources are found. The agreement behind the fund outlined that companies "should" contribute 1 per cent of their profits, or 0.1 per cent of their revenue.
However, industry bodies have expressed concerns about the agreed contribution rates, stating they are "regarded by industries generally as being unrealistic and likely to impact innovation." The ABPI, an industry body, urged the UK to discourage any country-level implementation of the COP16 digital sequence information agreement, arguing that "conflicting" action on a national, rather than global, level would "reduce the (already weak) incentives to contribute to the Cali Fund."
Despite the industry hesitancy, the UK and Chile recently launched the "friends of the Cali Fund" group, which brings together governments and businesses to champion benefits sharing. Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and Colombia have also joined this group. One US biotechnology company, Ginkgo Bioworks, has pledged to contribute to the fund in the future.
A 2024 analysis compared three different benefit-sharing mechanisms around genetic data: a mandatory levy on UK profits/revenues; a flat fee; or a subscription fee. The report found that a mandatory levy had the "least negative impact on competition and innovation." A mandatory 1 per cent levy on the profits of large UK companies "who are considered DSI-dependent" could generate nearly £64m (US$85m) for the Cali Fund.
The Cali Fund was created under the CBD at COP16 nature negotiations in Cali, Colombia last autumn. The goal is to help bridge the gap between the profits made from using genetic resources and the conservation efforts needed to protect and preserve biodiversity in developing countries. As the Cali Fund awaits contributions, the focus remains on encouraging companies to prioritise sustainability and fairness in their business practices.
[1] Carbon Brief (2025) AstraZeneca and GSK hesitant to contribute to Cali Fund. [online] Available at: https://www.carbonbrief.org/astrazeneca-and-gsk-hesitant-to-contribute-to-cali-fund
[2] The Guardian (2025) Cali Fund: AstraZeneca and GSK yet to commit to UN biodiversity pledge. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/01/cali-fund-astrazeneca-and-gsk-yet-to-commit-to-un-biodiversity-pledge
- The Cali Fund, an initiative under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), hopes to receive contributions from companies that derive products from nature's genetic resources, aiding biodiversity-rich developing countries.
- Despite emails indicating contacts with companies before its launch, the Cali Fund remains voluntary, with no legally binding mechanism for contributions.
- Major pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca and GSK have shown hesitation and have not yet committed to making voluntary contributions, citing assessments and pending clarification.
- The Cali Fund encourages companies to contribute 1 per cent of their profits or 0.1 per cent of their revenue, but industry bodies find the agreed contribution rates unrealistic and potentially harmful to innovation.
- The ABPI, an industry body, argued that country-level implementation of the COP16 digital sequence information agreement could reduce incentives to contribute to the Cali Fund.
- Despite industry hesitancy, governments and businesses, including Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Colombia, and one US biotechnology company, Ginkgo Bioworks, have joined the "friends of the Cali Fund" group, championing benefits sharing. A mandatory 1 per cent levy on the profits of UK companies could generate nearly £64m for the Cali Fund, according to a 2024 analysis.
