Inside the First Family Office Financing of a Nature Bond and Its Impact on Ocean
Builders Vision provided a $70mn guarantee that will unlock $124mn for marine conservation over the next 15 years, without adding to the Bahamas’ national debt.
Why Our Oceans Need Investment Now
Just 3% of the world’s oceans are fully protected today. Oceans regulate our climate and provide fundamental resources we need, from the food we eat to the air we breathe. Without sufficient funding and support, our waters face severe risks that could ripple across every sector of the economy.
A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership with The Bahamas for Ocean Conservation
Builders Vision made a $70 million co-guarantee—a first for a family office—to support The Bahamas Debt Conversion Project for Marine Conservation. It's a valuable investment in our oceans to help create a more resilient future for the planet. This co-guarantee went toward the refinancing of $300 million of The Bahamas’ external commercial debt, in partnership with the Government of The Bahamas, The Nature Conservancy, the Inter-American Development Bank, AXA XL, Standard Chartered, and more.
The deal is expected to generate an estimated $124 million for nature and climate in The Bahamas over the next 15 years.
Unlocking Conservation Through Debt Conversion
The Debt Conversion Project supports Bahaman efforts to improve ocean conservation and the management of its Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), ultimately benefiting biodiversity and people while lessening the effects of climate change. Savings unlocked through the project will be used for several initiatives, including enhanced MPA management, marine spatial planning, and a national mangrove management plan. By protecting coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests, industries such as tourism and seafood will be strengthened.
Additionally, the project secures commitments to implement management plans and associated activities for all of The Bahamas’ MPAs, ensuring that the rules and regulations of the protected areas are enforced and monitored for effective management.
The Bahamas has a proven track record of marine conservation, having protected over 17% of its nearshore environment through one of the Caribbean's largest systems of MPAs, covering nearly 6.8 million hectares. The Debt Conversion Project demonstrates The Bahamas’ commitment to conservation while creating new opportunities for local communities and the broader economy to continue benefiting from critical natural resources.
The Impact of Builders Vision’s Partnership with The Bahamas
Since 2022, Builders Vision has funded over $22.5 million in ocean-related grants and impact investments in The Bahamas, partnering with local organizations to address key challenges like sustainable fisheries, coral and mangrove restoration, and marine protected area management.
We’re excited to be the first family office to be part of such a groundbreaking initiative to preserve coastal ecosystems. Builders Vision was founded on the belief that profits and purpose are not mutually exclusive — they can work together to achieve both financial returns and environmental impact. We believe this is an innovative financial tool for family offices and institutional investors, and we’re thrilled to work with our partners to bring this project to life.”
- Lukas Walton, Founder and CEO, Builders Vision
A Scalable Model for Conservation Finance
The Bahamas Debt Conversion Project underscores the vital role family offices and other sources of private capital can play in catalyzing investments in nature.