Today, I speak with Jessica Smith, Head of Nature at UNEP Finance Initiative, about the growing private sector interest in nature finance. She highlights the need for a common taxonomy to reduce investment hesitancy and notes that timberland remains a key nature-positive option for institutional investors. We explore the investment gap between the Global North and South, strategies for stakeholder engagement in areas with unclear tenure rights, and how to phase capital across a project’s life cycle. Jessica concludes with a strong call to eliminate deforestation from investment portfolios.
Finance for Nature Positive paper
PRB Sector guidance for forestry, agriculture, and mining
Short article on this guidance
Managing biodiversity risk exposure?
Do investors care about biodiversity?
Favorite tree: Eucalyptus
Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink
Producer and editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives
01:04
Jessica’s background and work
03:04
Key lessons for nature from global events
05:18
Finance for nature positive
09:04
Principles for responsible banking specter action guidance for agricultural, forestry, mining sectors
11:12
How to get private investment in nature-based assets
15:31
Strategies to be nature positive in timber-focus investment
21:54
What should asset managers look out for? Red flags
27:44
Importance of data collection
32:34
Blended finance
36:12
Attract impact capital & investors as ecosystems in themselves
38:53
Nature on climate COP agenda 2025 – eliminate deforestation, invest in nature positive solution
40:20
Actionable advice
Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud
Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud
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