Seminars

Organisations involved in financial innovation for nature and nature-based solutions need access to robust scientific know-how. Join this invitation-only breakfast briefing to hear how the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is meeting these evidence needs, and help to shape future research to meet sustainability goals. Find out how world-leading science brings governments, policy advisors, regulators, researchers, NGOs, businesses, think tanks and investors together to tackle environmental challenges, and what part your organisation could play.

• Charlie Stratford, Head of Business and Partnership Development, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Nature-based solutions promise massive potential for addressing increasing flood and drought risk under climate change, along with a wide range of additional benefits to climate, nature and local communities. Realising the true value of NbS requires analysis, coordination and action at the landscape scale. In this interactive seminar, Zulu Ecosystems discuss its approach to quantifying the potential impact of nature-based solutions, multi-stakeholder engagement, and facilitating private finance in the Idle and Torn catchments in partnership with Severn Trent Water.

• Edward Asseily, CEO, Zulu Ecosystems

Levels of trust in voluntary carbon markets have fallen in recent years, due to doubts about the credentials of the projects providing offsets, as well as concerns about the intentions of organisations that who want to procure them as part of their path to net zero. Last year, The Wildlife Trusts launched a £38 million nature-based solutions programme with Aviva, centred on the restoration of Atlantic rainforest, one of Britain’s most precious habitats. This project is providing insight into a robust approach to carbon sequestration, balancing off future, not current, emissions. Join this session to see how nature-based carbon can be delivered with additionality, integrity, resilience and enduring community benefit.

• Henrietta Stock, Senior Sustainability Manager, Aviva
• Stan Smith, Programme Manager, Temperate Rainforest Programme, The Wildlife Trusts

Commitments for the provision of services such as carbon removal, biodiversity value and flood risk reduction have legal implications for land managers. The same applies to the ‘on the ground’ works that will deliver these services. New transactions have consequences for the relationships between owners, tenants, and third parties. The deployment of investment funds also has implications for land managers. Join this session to hear an overview of the principal legal considerations associated with transactions involving private money and the delivery of environmental improvement.

• Ben Sharples, Partner, Michelmores

There is a strong rationale for a new and productive working relationship between UK-based companies and financial institutions and those who look after our environment day-to-day. For this working relationship to happen at scale, there is a growing need for greater connections between environmental improvement activity across river catchments, city regions and areas of distinctive landscape character. With support from HM Government, the Nature Returns programme is harnessing the capabilities of Natural England, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, RBG Kew at Wakehurst to unlock pathways for these connections to be made. Join this session to understand the returns from the enduring environmental improvement that comes through larger scale and long-term collaboration.

• Matt Buckler, Director of Natural Solutions, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
• Melissa Swartz, Catchment Funding Senior Advisor, Future Funding Team, Environment Agency

Nattergal is a nature restoration company on a mission to prove that nature is an investible asset class. By leveraging private sector investment, they aim to improve outcomes for nature, people, and the planet, while at the same time, generating sustainable financial returns.

Join this seminar to gain an insight into the Nattergal business model, and how it can be replicated so that nature can thrive.

• Archie Struthers, CEO, Nattergal

The Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund was initiated in 2021 to stimulate private investment and market-based mechanisms that improve and safeguard England’s natural environment. Through a partnership between Defra and the Environment Agency, it has already supported over 50 environmental groups, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to help them develop nature projects in England to a point where they can attract new private revenue and investment based on environmental improvement outcomes. The current third round is centred on the needs and capabilities of rural land managers. Join this session to gain an overview of the programme and its achievements to date.

• Helen Edmundson, Deputy Director – Green Finance, Defra

For any business, knowing how to identify and respond to nature-related risks, dependencies and opportunities is no easy task. There are vast amounts of data to interpret. In addition, the goals for achieving nature-positive, net zero and climate resilience are inter-connected. This interactive workshop will help anyone involved in nature-positive strategic planning to identify actions applicable to them, including their role in financial innovation.

• Dr. Helen Mentink, Associate Director & Natural Capital Lead, Ricardo
• Gloria Angélica Pérez-Vértiz, Natural Capital and Biodiversity Senior Consultant, Ricardo

FIRNS is an initiative between Scottish Government, NatureScot, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the development of projects that will deliver outcomes for people and nature in Scotland by attracting revenue and investment from private sources. The programme now involves 35 projects, fulfilled by partnerships that include local government, land managers and their advisors, and groups working closely with local communities. Join this session to gain an overview of the programme and the insight it gives into creating opportunities to engage with high integrity nature markets in Scotland.

• David Clelland, FIRNS Funding Manager, NatureScot
• Paul Sizeland, Director for Nature Finance, Fisheries Management Scotland
• Jonathan Speed, Nature Market Contracts Project Manager, Scottish Forestry

It is crucial that nature finance focuses on the things that really matter; the ways that land, water and ecological processes are material to resilience and success for all types of organisations. It is all too easy to pursue the most readily available finance opportunity, but this can be at the expense of other more important benefits. For the last decade, the outputs of natural capital accounts have already ensured that the natural environment is increasingly visible in Board rooms, City Halls, and estate offices. It now provides an unrivalled opportunity to guide the financial transactions geared at environmental improvement.

Join this seminar with experts from eftec – the Environmental Economics Consultancy to see how natural capital accounts can provide a reliable resource for investors, corporates and land managers participating in nature finance; connecting with TNFD and other reporting.

• Ece Özdemiroğlu, CEO, eftec

Access the seminar on demand

The UK’s 46 National Landscapes play a vital role in nature recovery, net zero and in the provision of economic opportunity. With a track record of stewardship of landscapes for over 50 years, they have been working to advance the interests and capabilities of land managers, local communities and businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many have the advantage of being situated close to large population centres.

Join this session to discover the opportunity for UK businesses to partner with the UK’s National Landscapes. Find out how private sector organisations can derive social and economic value by working with them.

• Hannah Wilcox Brooke, Head of Nature-based Solutions, National Landscapes Association
• Bruce Winney, Nature Recovery Coordinator, National Landscapes Association

Join this conversation to hear insight from people who have been at the forefront of enabling nature finance in the UK. Find out what they see as the principal challenges and opportunities for the coming year if the jurisdictions of the UK are to serve as global leaders in high-integrity nature finance at scale.

• Naomi Conway, Nature Partnerships Expert (Chair)
• Helen Avery, Head of Nature Programmes, Green Finance Institute
• Andy Creak, CEO, Kana

Mercer, a global leader in helping clients realize their investment objectives, will be appointed by the independent non-for-profit organisation Landscape Finance Lab to structure and manage a min. EUR 150 million Nature Positive Fund (N+ Fund), aiming at driving investments in nature-based solutions. As part of the broader N+ Facility, which also includes a EUR 10 million Landscape Accelerator (N+ Landscape Accelerator), this initiative will focus on restoring forests, seascapes, wetlands, and regenerative production. Join the session to discover more about this initiative!

• Angelika Delen, Head of Impact Solutions (Europe, IMETA and Asia), Mercer

• Paul Chatterton, Lead & Founder, Landscape Finance Lab