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Abstract

Nature-based solutions can strengthen climate resilience, but they remain underfinanced. Innovative financial instruments that transfer or reduce climate risk while enhancing ecosystem services help close the adaptation and nature finance gaps. Here we synthesize evidence on nature-positive climate risk transfer and financing instruments, with attention to how the effectiveness and economic viability of supported nature-based interventions are reported. We screened ~3,200 academic publications and 78 institutional databases, identifying 33 distinct nature-positive financial instruments. We introduced a typology that organizes them by financial instrument category. This typology, alongside a global database of 313 projects found in the literature and an inventory of 76 implemented projects, supports replication, adaptation, and scaling of nature-based solutions in diverse contexts. The systematic review highlights evidence gaps, including limited equity considerations and uncertainties in risk modeling. Together, the typology, inventory, and synthesis provide a foundation for advancing nature-positive finance through future research, investment, and policy design.