Financing Nature
Financing Nature from GFI Hive explores how to mobilise investment into nature restoration and nature-based solutions. It aims to understand how private sector investment can be unlocked and how the economy can move towards being nature-positive. Each episode features interviews with leaders in finance, policy and the environment to discuss practical solutions. The podcast is hosted by the Green Finance Institute.
Episodes
UK Special Series, Episode 4: Annabel Davidson Knight, Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, Scottish Land Commission
In this fourth and final episode of the GFI's special series on UK nature finance, host Phoebe Tucker is joined by Annabel Davidson Knight, Community Benefits from Nature Adviser at the Scottish Land Commission, to ask a pressing question as private investment scales up: how do we make sure local communities are included, not sidelined? The conversation explores why community voice matters in
UK Special Series, Episode 3: Luke Baldwin, Co-founder and CEO, Nature Broking
In this third episode of the GFI's special series on UK nature finance, host Phoebe Tucker is joined by Luke Baldwin, Co-Founder and CEO of Nature Broking, to explore the UK’s nature-based carbon market space and, specifically, what needs to happen to unlock growth from a demand-side perspective. For listeners who want to learn more about Nature Broking's work, you can visit its website, o
UK Special Series, Episode 2: Jack Spees, CEO, Ribble Rivers Trust
In this second episode of the GFI's special series on UK nature finance, host Phoebe Tucker is joined by Jack Spees, CEO of the Ribble Rivers Trust, to talk about how we can unlock investment into nature-based solutions from the UK's water industry. The discussion centres around the Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions (MNBS) Programme, a collaborative partnership between 23 organisations
UK Special Series, Episode 1: Seren Patterson, Water Stewardship Manager, The Rivers Trust
In this first episode of the GFI's special series on UK nature finance, host Phoebe Tucker is joined by Seren Patterson, Water Stewardship Manager at the Rivers Trust, to talk about its Replenish model - also known as Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting - in channeling private sector investment into water storage and water quality outcomes. For listeners who want to learn more about the Replen
R4N Episode 12: Justin Adams, Ostara
In this final episode of the R4N series, host Helen Avery speaks with Justin Adams, co-founder of Ostara and Reimagining Nature Finance fellow with the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance about the challenges of nature finance, and some big ideas for change.
R4N Episode 11: Harvey Locke
In this episode, we're joined by Harvey Locke who has been an adviser to governments on conservation for decades, as well as currently holding the position of Vice Chair for Nature Positive for the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. Over the last 18 months, Harvey has been bringing experts together around the world to develop some big and bold financial solutions to solve our wicked pro
R4N Episode 10: Adam Davis, EIP
In this episode, we dive into the U.S. mitigation banking market as part of our ongoing exploration of compliance models and regulated markets. Helen Avery is joined by Adam Davis, co-founder and managing partner of Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP), a private equity firm that has raised over $1 billion and restored more than 53,000 acres of wetlands and 260 miles of streams across the U.S. sinc
R4N Episode 9: Tim Male, EPIC
In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Male, Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), to dive into U.S. mitigation banking and the broader role of regulatory markets. The U.S. is home to the one of the world’s largest regulatory markets, where billions of private-sector dollars are flowing into nature restoration. In this episode we talk about why these mo
R4N Episode 8: Thomas Pickford (TNC) and Glenn Anderson (Wendling Beck)
In this episode Helen Avery is joined by Thomas Pickford, UK Partnerships and Policy Lead at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Glenn Anderson, Co-Founder and Strategy Lead at the Wendling Beck - a landscape scale project which has been selling Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units in the UK. In this episode they talk about the BNG market, what it is, how it works and the implications for the EU. They a
R4N Episode 7: Emily McKenzie, TNFD
In this episode Emily McKenzie joins us on Financing Nature to share how we move from disclosures into action. She shares where the TNFD is to-date on working with businesses and financial institutions around the world, differences in regional approaches, transition plans and the road to investment.
R4N Episode 6: Tom Curtis, Landscape Enterprise Networks
In this episode, Helen Avery speaks with Tom Curtis, founding partner at 3Keel and Landscape Enterprise Networks about the LENs model that brings together businesses to pay farmers for environmental outcomes across a shared landscape.
R4N Episode 5: Vanessa Garcia, Terrassos
In this episode, Vanessa Garcia at Terrassos shares about mitigation banking in Colombia and their model of establishing habitat banks to provide biodiversity units into that market.
R4N Episode 4: Michal Zrust, The Rimba Collective
In this fourth episode, Helen Avery is joined by Michal Zrust, Founder and CEO of Lestari Capital to discuss the Rimba Collective, a financial mechanism that supports companies to finance a portfolio of forest conservation and restoration projects across Southeast Asia. Rimba Collective members make payments that are proportionally linked to the amount of palm oil procured. In return for funding t
R4N Episode 3: Nicolas Pascal, Blue Alliance
In this third episode, Helen Avery is joined by Nicolas Pascal, Founder of Blue Alliance to explore its innovative model that creates local reef-positive business rooted in the blue economy. These social enterprises then direct a portion of their profits toward the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – helping MPAs to become financially self-sustaining.
R4N Episode 2: Elizabeth Beall, Fisheries Improvement Fund
In this second episode, Helen Avery is joined by Elizabeth Beall, Managing Director of Finance Earth to discuss supply chain models including the Fisheries Improvement Fund (FIF) and how it can be replicated and scaled. The FIF brings together actors across the entire seafood supply chain to fund the full costs of a Fishery Improvement Project or wider fishery improvements. The investment is then
R4N Episode 1: Pedro Moura Costa, Responsible Commodities Facility
In this episode, Helen Avery is joined by Pedro Moura Costa, founder of Sustainable Investment Management (SIM) and BVRio, to discuss the Responsible Commodities Facility (RCF), and how it can be replicated and scaled. RCF provides a financially sustainable vehicle that incentivises soy farmers in Brazil, and helps meet the growing international demand for zero-deforestation supply chains.
Farming Toolkit Special Episode: Archie Ruggles-Brise, Spains Hall Estate
Join us for this special episode of our mini-series, Farming Nature, as Archie Ruggles-Brise shares his experience and advice on preparing for Biodiversity Net Gain. We also hear about interventions across his Essex farm such as the introduction of beavers for flood management. This episode is designed to support farmers working through Milestone 5 of our Farming Toolkit. Our regular podcast, Fina
Farming Toolkit Special Episode: Timothy Coates, co-founder Oxbury Bank and third generation farmer
From January 2024 to the end of March 2024, GFI's Financing Nature podcast is becoming Farming Nature - a series of audio interviews designed to support UK farmers in understanding nature markets as part of the newly-launched Farming Toolkit on GFI Hive.
In this episode, Timothy Coates, co-founder of Oxbury Bank and third generation farmer shares why he is adapting his farm ready to sell unit
COP15 Special: Live from Montréal
In this episode of Financing Nature in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme for COP15 in Montréal, we speak to those on the ground to hear why they have come, what they are hoping for from the negotiations on the crucial Global Biodiversity Framework, and their own work in halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. Topics cover the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial D
COP15 Special: Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary, and David Ainsworth, Information Officer, UN Convention on Biological Diversity
In this special episode at the start of COP15 in Montreal in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, guests Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary, and David Ainsworth, Information Officer, at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity join the Green Finance Institute's Helen Avery. Together they share what we need to see over the 12 days of the Conference including within the Glob
COP27 Special Series, Episode 5: Susan Gardner and Ivo Mulder
In this final episode of our COP27 Special Series with the United Nations Environment Programme, we are joined from UNEP's Ecosystems Division by Susan Gardner, Head of the Ecosystems Division and Ivo Mulder, Head of the Climate Finance Unit. Susan and Ivo wrap up the series by sharing what they hope to see happen at COP27 and the actions we collectively need to take to ensure that nature re
COP27 Special Series, Episode 4: Karen Sack and Yabanex Batista
Over 70% of the planet's surface is cover with water, yet when it comes to protecting and restoring oceans health, finance is sorely missing. Indeed, only 0.01% of all climate finance is invested into marine and coastal nature based solutions. In this fourth episode of the Financing Nature COP27 Special Series with UNEP, Karen Sack, executive director at the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Allian
COP27 Special Series, Episode 3: Kaddu Sebunya and David Cheboryot
Africa, host to COP27, is also host to 30% of the world's biodiversity. It is also a continent on an accelerated economic growth trajectory. This episode, guests Kaddu Sebunya, CEO, African Wildlife Foundation and David Cheboryot, Director of Entrepreneurship Centres – Africa - E4Impact Foundation share how economic growth, community development and conservation can go hand in hand, and how privat
COP27 Special Series, Episode 2: Andrew Deutz and Yasmine Sagita
In our second episode of Financing Nature's special series with UNEP, Andrew Deutz, Director of Global Policy, Institutions and Conservation Finance at The Nature Conservancy shares the need to mobilise government and development bank aid into nature restoration projects, and the role of guarantees and insurance, and Yasmine Sagita, Chief of People, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at rubber c
COP27 Special Series, Episode 1: Sagarika Chatterjee and José Pugas
In this first episode of Financing Nature's COP27 Special Series from the Green Finance Institute and United Nations Environment Programme, we explore how the finance sector can reduce deforestation and finance reforestation, and frame up what we need from global leaders at COP27. Helen Avery speaks with Champions Finance Lead, Sagarika Chatterjee, about the work of the Glasgow Financial Alliance
COP27 Special Series: Teaser
On October 5th, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Green Finance Institute (GFI) will launch a five-episode special series of Financing Nature in the lead up to COP27. Each episode will showcase a project on the ground in the Global South, and interviews with leading figures in the world of finance and nature to discuss what we need from our global governments in Egypt this Novemb
Episode 28: Christopher Sparrow, Co-Founder Director, Environmental Farmers Group (EFG)
The Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) is a new co-operative for UK farmers - led by farmers - that collectively trades natural capital. It is already securing trades for phosphate reduction and employs an equalisation model so that farmers of all sizes in the co-operative benefit, and to ensure that landscape scale environmental improvements are being made. Chris Sparrow, Co-Founder Director of EF
Episode 27: Margaret Kuhlow, Global Finance Lead, WWF International
In this episode, Margaret Kuhlow, Global Finance Lead at WWF International, walks us through several of the organisation's bankable nature solutions including project finance for permanence, as well as sharing hopes and concerns for COP27 and COP15.
Episode 26: Emily McKenzie, Technical Director, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
This week Emily McKenzie joins us to share more about the inner workings of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures and the challenges of shifting financial flows to nature positive. The TNFD is delivering a risk management and disclosure framework for organisations to report and act on evolving nature-related risks which be launching in 2023.
Episode 25: Urs Dieterich, Managing Director, Landscape Resilience Fund
The Landscape Resilience Fund was designed by South Pole and WWF to lend to and invest in SMEs in emerging markets that are tackling climate adaptation. Urs Dieterich, managing director of the Fund, shares how climate adaptation and conservation go hand in hand, the similarities between financing both, and more about the Fund and its initial investment.
Episode 24: Mark Reed, Professor of Rural Entrepreneurship, Scotland's Rural College
What kind of standards, codes and governance structures are needed for investors to have confidence in buying carbon credits? In the UK, many carbon codes are under development to allow for the sale of credits from nature restoration. Professor Mark Reed has been a leading voice in the role of governance, as well as being the architect of the Peatland Carbon Code and involved in the development of
Episode 23: Louisa Kiely, Director, Carbon Farmers of Australia
Australia has been a pioneer in the development of a market for soil carbon, among other carbon markets in the the land sector. In this episode, Louisa Kiely, Director at Carbon Farmers of Australia, talks us through how the market is evolving.
Episode 22: Douglas Eger, Founder and CEO, Intrinsic Exchange Group
Natural Asset Companies, or NACs, are the creation of Intrinsic Exchange Group (IEG). They offer a new asset class to investors seeking nature positive opportunities - publicly listed companies dedicated to the restoration and preservation of nature, and with values based on natural assets. In this episode, Douglas Eger, founder of IEG walks us through how they work, and when we can expect the fir
Episode 21: Roel Nozeman, Senior Advisor Biodiversity, ASN Bank
In 2016, ASN Bank set itself a target to become a nature net-positive bank by 2030. That commitment led the bank to measure the biodiversity impact of its loan portfolio and investments, and, more recently, for ASN Impact Investors to establish the first listed fund for nature investments for the retail sector. Roel Nozeman, who leads the bank's biodiversity work, in addition to being the programm
Episode 20: Anne-Laurence Roucher, Deputy CEO, Mirova
How can private equity investments in early stage technology firms support large-scale land restoration projects? And, what do investors in each look for? In this episode, Anne-Laurence Roucher, Deputy CEO of Mirova, shares her firm's approach to natural capital in both land and marine restoration and through private equity investments, as well as touching on the barriers and solutions to driving
Episode 19: The Taskforce on Nature Markets
The Taskforce on Nature Markets launched at the end of March. In this episode, co-chairs of the Secretariat, Simon Zadek and Marcelo Furtado of Finance for Biodiversity, share about the Taskforce's ambitions, and its work to embed "nature positive and equitable impact" across global markets.
Episode 18: Willie Watt, Chair, Scottish National Investment Bank
The Scottish National Investment Bank was set up at the end of 2020 to provide debt and equity investment to businesses in Scotland that support net zero, innovation and equality. Natural capital features high on its agenda, and chair of the Bank, Willie Watt, shares his insights on nature-related investment opportunities in Scotland and the Bank's strategy.
Episode 17: Katie Critchlow, CEO, NatureMetrics
Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is revolutionising the way companies can measure their impact on nature. Katie Critchlow, CEO of NatureMetrics that has brought eDNA into the mainstream, shares the work her firm are doing in supporting the move to nature positive, and creating investment opportunities in nature restoration. Katie also shares her insights into the role of data and technology in supporti
Episode 16: Gwyn Williams, Head of Conservation Investment, RSPB
How do eNGOs begin to adopt commercial finance in order to pay for conservation or restoration aims? Gwyn Williams, head of conservation investment, shares the experience of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) as the charity has expanded to debt and equity finance, in addition to exploring forms of private finance - such as peatland carbon credits or biodiversity net gain - in ord
Episode 15: Richard Speak, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Finance Earth
The social impact investment market in the UK has grown to almost £10billion. What can we learn from its development and apply to the emerging nature investment space? Richard Speak, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Finance Earth and Managing Director of Finance for Sustainability, shares his experience from working in both social finance and nature finance, and highlights the key building bloc
Episode 14: Evan Bowen-Jones, CEO, Kent Wildlife Trust, Managing Director, Wilder Carbon Standards
Evan Bowen-Jones joins us for this episode of Financing Nature to talk about the Wilder Carbon Standards, and his experience of the development of nature markets as CEO of Kent Wildlife Trust. The Standards have been developed to capture benefits from beyond carbon sequestration alone, and pilots are underway to test them.
Episode 13: Radha Kuppalli, Managing Director, Impact & Advocacy, New Forests Asset Management
Sustainable forestry is becoming an increasingly sought-after investment as people look to timber as a climate solution. Radha Kuppalli, managing director of impact and advocacy at New Forests Asset Management in Australia, joins us this episode to talk about how the market is developing; how carbon is increasing the attractiveness of timber assets; and how her company is looking at impact -
Episode 12: Gabriel Eickhoff, Co-founder and CEO, Lestari Capital
In this episode, Gabe Eickhoff walks us through the different businesses of Lestari Capital from driving forest restoration through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and other certification schemes to closing the time and finance gap for carbon projects. Gabe also discusses stacking and bundling and the role of technology in improving efficiency of project development.
Episode 11: Zach Knight, Co-founder and CEO, Blue Forest Conservation
In this episode, Zach Knight, co-founder and CEO of Blue Forest Conservation, shares the details of the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB) - a financial structure that delivers outcomes from fire risk mitigation to improved water quality in the Tahoe National Forest, California.
Episode 10: Liv Garfield, Chief Executive, Severn Trent
In this episode, Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent, shares how the water company is approaching biodiversity, and the role of companies more broadly in thinking about becoming nature positive through her role as chief executive of the Council for Sustainable Business.
Episode 9: Dorothee Herr, Manager, Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility
What are the opportunities for investors in the coastal and marine space? In this episode, Dorothee Herr joins Helen Avery at GFI Hive to discuss the work of the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility that provides funding to projects and businesses with ocean and coastal restoration at their heart, and the role of blue carbon and standards.
Episode 8: Sonya Likhtman, Manager, EOS at Federated Hermes
In this episode, Sonya Likhtman of International Federated Hermes discusses why investors are more keenly looking at companies' nature-related impacts and dependencies, and the role of stewardship and engagement. She also explains the importance of COP15, and how the finance and business community is engaging with the development of those global biodiversity targets.
Episode 7: Jeremy Leggett, Executive Director, Bunloit Rewilding
In this episode Jeremy Leggett shares about his work in nature restoration in the north of Scotland, and how he is viewing investment in natural capital including the role of impact investors, the need for retail crowdfunding, the gap in bank debt and the importance of policies that support communities.
Episode 6: Julian Matthews, Founder and Managing Director, Real Wild Estates Company
In this episode, life-long conservationist, Julian Matthews, shares about his new company, Real Wild Estates, that is aiming to help UK land managers restore nature. The company was recently invested in by the L'Oreal Fund for Nature Regeneration - an impact investment fund.
Episode 5: Eric Letsinger, Founder and CEO, Quantified Ventures
Environmental impact bonds for water quality, carbon and water quality payments for farmers and forest recreational activities paid by motel lodging taxes - just some of the hugely innovative products developed by Quantified Ventures that guest Eric Letsinger shares on this episode of Financing Nature. Plus, what's next for Quantified Ventures. Join the Green Finance Institute's Helen Avery as she
Episode 4: Kevin Bender, Senior Director, NatureVest, The Nature Conservancy
In this episode Kevin Bender of The Nature Conservancy talks through the intricacies of the recent Belize debt conversion that included a blue loan, insurance from the IDFC, the issuance of blue bonds to investors, a Conservation Fund, an endowment and, for good measure, parametric insurance. It's a complex deal, but one that is replicable for other countries with sovereign debt trading at a disco
Episode 3: Alan McDonnell, Conservation Manager, Trees for Life
Trees for Life is on a mission to rewild the Highlands in partnership with community. Alan McDonnell, conservation manager at the charity discusses how private finance and investment such as the sale of carbon credits, and a £2million retail bond via Triodos is helping Trees for Life reach that goal. One to listen to for those looking at investments in ecotourism, carbon or interested in how to en
Episode 2: Martin Berg, Head of Nature Impact Strategy, Climate Asset Management
How can large institutional investors enter into natural capital? In this episode, Martin Berg, Head of Nature Impact Strategy at Climate Asset Management discusses the opportunities available and ideas for how to scale up investing in nature. Martin also shares his experience from the EIB's Natural Capital Finance Facility and the role and ambitions of the Natural Capital Investment Alliance.&nbs
Episode 1: Sir Dieter Helm, Professor of Economic Policy, Oxford University
In our first episode, Sir Dieter Helm, Professor of Economic Policy at Oxford University andformer Chair of the Natural Capital Committee reflects on its eight years of work, and revisits the plan laid out in his 2019 book, A Green and Prosperous Land - A Blueprint for Rescuing the British Countryside. Talking with GFI Hive's Helen Avery, he highlights the need for systems-based approach and the r
Financing Nature: Trailer
GFI Hive at the Green Finance Institute is launching a new podcast, Financing Nature, dedicated to exploring how to drive greater private investment into nature restoration and nature-based solutions.
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