Integrating Finance and Biodiversity for a Nature Positive Future
Lead Research Organisation:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Department Name: Science Programme Office
Abstract
Our Vision is to build national capability bridging scientific, finance, policy and third sector communities, harnessing and catalysing world-leading science to enable the greening of finance for nature and mobilisation of capital for nature recovery.
The programme aligns with the 2023 UK Green Finance Strategy and Environmental Improvement Plan and is internationally relevant.?We bring together 17 research institutions, already engaging over 250 partners, into one high-impact network delivering co-designed, excellent and needs-orientated research, with activities that aim for broad-ranging impact.
The programme comprises three 'flagship' initiatives, linked by a strategic coordination and integration hub.
Flagship 1, Financing Green Sector Transitions, addresses the need to restore nature in the UK's agriculture sector, which accounts for over 70% of land-cover. In collaboration with the agri-food sector, investors and civil society, it will inform the development of financial tools and policies. These will be implemented at real-world sites in England and Northern Ireland to assess their impact on biodiversity. The research will also analyse the impact on habitats of international supply chains, such as tea and rubber imports. The goal is to create financial instruments and reporting mechanisms that benefit investors, land-users, nature and society, while addressing the impacts of global and UK agri-food chains on biodiversity.
Flagship 2, Greening Finance for Nature, focusses on the decision-making processes of financial institutions such as banks and asset management companies. Their decisions can impact nature adversely, yet change could substantially address biodiversity loss. The focus will be on portfolio risk management, business strategy, risk disclosure and the prevention of greenwashing. The challenges include securing reliable data, addressing gaps in scientific knowledge and bridging the gap between science and finance. The goal is to revolutionise financial decision-making by incorporating nature within it. This will be driven by scientific data and guidance, and new regulatory frameworks.
Flagship 3, Financing Biodiversity, tackles the challenge of financing biodiversity conservation and restoration with integrity at large-scales. It will promote best practices and coordination in biodiversity finance, and will champion the importance of between-site biodiversity and extinction risk reduction. This will ensure that conservation and restoration is effective, interconnected and extends beyond individual sites. Key stakeholders, including the Biodiversity Credit Alliance that co-designed the flagship, will help deliver a theory of change for scaling-up biodiversity finance. The goal is to define what high-integrity finance for biodiversity should look like, identify barriers and opportunities and start addressing them.
The programme aligns with the 2023 UK Green Finance Strategy and Environmental Improvement Plan and is internationally relevant.?We bring together 17 research institutions, already engaging over 250 partners, into one high-impact network delivering co-designed, excellent and needs-orientated research, with activities that aim for broad-ranging impact.
The programme comprises three 'flagship' initiatives, linked by a strategic coordination and integration hub.
Flagship 1, Financing Green Sector Transitions, addresses the need to restore nature in the UK's agriculture sector, which accounts for over 70% of land-cover. In collaboration with the agri-food sector, investors and civil society, it will inform the development of financial tools and policies. These will be implemented at real-world sites in England and Northern Ireland to assess their impact on biodiversity. The research will also analyse the impact on habitats of international supply chains, such as tea and rubber imports. The goal is to create financial instruments and reporting mechanisms that benefit investors, land-users, nature and society, while addressing the impacts of global and UK agri-food chains on biodiversity.
Flagship 2, Greening Finance for Nature, focusses on the decision-making processes of financial institutions such as banks and asset management companies. Their decisions can impact nature adversely, yet change could substantially address biodiversity loss. The focus will be on portfolio risk management, business strategy, risk disclosure and the prevention of greenwashing. The challenges include securing reliable data, addressing gaps in scientific knowledge and bridging the gap between science and finance. The goal is to revolutionise financial decision-making by incorporating nature within it. This will be driven by scientific data and guidance, and new regulatory frameworks.
Flagship 3, Financing Biodiversity, tackles the challenge of financing biodiversity conservation and restoration with integrity at large-scales. It will promote best practices and coordination in biodiversity finance, and will champion the importance of between-site biodiversity and extinction risk reduction. This will ensure that conservation and restoration is effective, interconnected and extends beyond individual sites. Key stakeholders, including the Biodiversity Credit Alliance that co-designed the flagship, will help deliver a theory of change for scaling-up biodiversity finance. The goal is to define what high-integrity finance for biodiversity should look like, identify barriers and opportunities and start addressing them.
Organisations
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (Lead Research Organisation)
- Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Collaboration)
- Aix-Marseille University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF YORK (Collaboration)
- European Central Bank (Collaboration)
- Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute (Collaboration)
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (Collaboration)
- Lancaster University (Collaboration)
- University of Nottingham (Collaboration)
- Swiss Re (Collaboration)
- University of Avignon (Collaboration)
- Bank of England (Collaboration)
- Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- Barclays (Collaboration)
- Sapphire Capital Partners LLP (Project Partner)
- Impact Amplified (Project Partner)
- Botanic Gardens Conservation Int (Project Partner)
- Ultra-Light Rail Partners (Project Partner)
- Virtus Energy Limited (Project Partner)
- Green Finance Institute (Project Partner)
- Lauriston Farm & Federated Hermes (Project Partner)
- Biodiversity Credits Alliance (Project Partner)
- techUK (Project Partner)
- Hilltop Sustainability (Project Partner)
- West London Chambers (Project Partner)
- NextEnergy Capital Ltd (Project Partner)
- Fera Science (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Circ Hive (Project Partner)
- Private Address (Project Partner)
- Scotland's Rural College (Project Partner)
- Blakiston Houston Estate Co (Project Partner)
- West London Business Ltd (Project Partner)
- Group on Earth Observation Biodiversity (Project Partner)
- Scottish Wildlife Trust (Project Partner)
- London Borough of Hounslow (Project Partner)
Publications
Ford H
(2024)
A technological biodiversity monitoring toolkit for biocredits
in Journal of Applied Ecology
Garvey J
(2025)
Designing financial instruments for land-based ecological restoration: A review and future research Agenda
in Cleaner Production Letters
IAPB Measurement Working Group
(2024)
Design criteria for high integrity measurement of biodiversity credits
International Advisory Panel On Biodiversity Credits
(2024)
Design criteria for high integrity measurement of biodiversity credits - Measurement Working Group report.
Maczik D
(2024)
Evaluating Biodiversity Credits Using Metacommunity Modelling
| Description | Advice on State of Nature metrics to Nature Positive Initiative |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The Nature Positive Initiative published a consultation document on State of Nature metrics in the business context base on advice by us and others. This consultation has now finished and transitioned to a testing phase. |
| URL | https://www.naturepositive.org/metrics/ |
| Description | Advice on State of Nature metrics to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Biodiversity Credit Alliance Task Force |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) has elements of think tank, community of practice and guidance provider (see https://www.biodiversitycreditalliance.org/). Its mission is "1. Help steer the development of a biodiversity credit market by building a framework of high-level, science-based principles. 2. Provide guidance and encourage best practice for market participants on the application of these principles, empowering them to achieve and maintain equitable, high quality transactions that meet strict integrity criteria." It has also set up the independent 'Communities Advisory Panel' (https://www.biodiversitycreditalliance.org/cap/), a self-governed group consisting of over 40 members of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from the seven socio-cultural subregions of the world, aiming "to to ensure that the emerging market in biodiversity credits is founded on just and equitable principles, respectful of human rights and traditional knowledge, and recognizes and builds on existing capacity." The CAP has now morphed into the International Environment Guardianship, with an expanded remit to cover nature markets more widely, but still advising and working closely with the BCA. The activities of the BCA are done by its Task Force in conjunction with its Secretariat. It is supported by the United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Environment Program - Finance Initiative, with these organisations employing the Secretariat. We (as the University of Nottingham) are one of the Task Force members (currently there are 18). Our knowledge products and outreach are widely known, and influence practice around the world. An example is that the Biodiversity Credit Alliance Forum currently has around 500 signed-up member organisations (see https://www.biodiversitycreditalliance.org/governance/) - this Forum |
| URL | https://www.biodiversitycreditalliance.org/ |
| Description | Changing financial supervision |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Contributed to change in the mandate of the Central Bank |
| Description | Contribution to an intergovernmental science-policy platform |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.ipbes.net/nexus-assessment |
| Description | Contribution to the Environmental Audit Committee consultation on green economy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/62/environmental-audit-committee/publications/written-evi... |
| Description | Influencing International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.ifrs.org/content/dam/ifrs/meetings/2025/march/issb/ap3a-evidence-effects-entity-prospect... |
| Description | Influencing financial regulation and supervision |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Internal briefings to senior Bank of England staff |
| Description | International Advisory Panel for Biodiversity Credits high integrity principles |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s61LfEs9tGaN3FspDpJLz0DyxhUQQ7cV/view |
| Description | International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The IAPB Framework is now strongly influencing the biodiversity credit market development. The Design Criteria working paper has been particularly well received, and is also strongly influencing developments in nature markets. |
| URL | https://iapbiocredits.org |
| Description | NGFS Working Group on Scenarios |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Improving the design of financial scenarios used in green finance, thus enhancing the pricing and management of environmental risks |
| Description | UK Nature Markets Dialogue |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | A governance framework for high integrity nature markets will extend the opportunity to participate in the dialogue on nature market governance to stakeholders across the UK; identify the degree of consensus around both governance priorities and nature market governance options; and identify the underlying issues where there are differences and help evaluate the different courses of action available. |
| URL | https://www.naturemarketsdialogue.uk/governance-consultation |
| Description | Leveraging Earth Observation for Nature Finance |
| Amount | € 2,000,000 (EUR) |
| Organisation | European Space Agency |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | France |
| Start | 01/2025 |
| End | 01/2027 |
| Description | Macrofinancial impacts of nature |
| Amount | € 5,000,000 (EUR) |
| Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 01/2025 |
| End | 01/2028 |
| Title | MDX Nature Positive Mapper |
| Description | The Nature Positive Mapper emerged from a ground-breaking collaboration between the MDX IFB team and tech developers to further support measurement and improved practices on sustainable enterprise and biodiversity-aware impacts. This innovative tool addresses a critical gap in the business world: the need for practical, accessible guidance to help organisations embrace nature-positive practices. Currently in Beta (testing) mode, the tool guides SMEs through four transformative stages, each culminating in a tailored output for their organisation: Building Your Nature Positive Foundation: develop a clear understanding of nature-positive principles and how they apply to your organisation. Discovering Your Nature Connection: understand your organisation's unique relationship with nature and identify your key impact areas. Creating Your Action Plan: organisations receive a detailed, customised roadmap with specific steps, timelines, and success measures for implementation. Making Your Nature Positive Pledge: articulate public commitment to nature-positive practices, complete with concrete goals and accountability measures. We are currently understanding the potential to commercialise the groundbreaking AI tool and working out different use cases and improvements through a series of tests with local government, SMEs in the nature positive accelerator and other key stakeholders. We also are keen to feed this into the wider toolkit work of the TNFD and other critical actors. Making the tool interoperable and able to draw down on relevant measures and metrics will also be critical in the next stages of the toolkit's development. Overall, feedback so far has been very positive about its potential to support businesses with a rapid, thorough and helpful assessment of integrating nature-positive solutions into their business. This will be followed up through ongoing research funding by MDX researchers to maximise the impact of the tool and its application and potential to scale. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Limited impacts so far as only started Beta testing the NP Mapper in early 2025. Overall, feedback so far has been very positive about its potential to support businesses with a rapid, thorough and helpful assessment of integrating nature-positive solutions into their business. This will be followed up through ongoing research funding by MDX researchers to maximise the impact of the tool and its application and potential to scale. |
| URL | https://www.storybord.ai/npbm_optin_page |
| Description | Bank of England |
| Organisation | Bank of England |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Assessing nature-related financial risks |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supported increased knowledge on the materiality of nature-related risks and management options |
| Impact | https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/publications/assessing-the-materiality-of-nature-related-financial-risks-for-the-uk |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Barclays |
| Organisation | Barclays |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Sharing data and methods |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expert input on methodologies and sharing of data |
| Impact | Inputs into report due in April |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Climate Financial Risk Forum (CFRF) |
| Organisation | Bank of England |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Academic advisors to CFRF's Resilience and adaptation groups including reviewing publications: 'Nature-related risk: Handbook for financial institutions Summary document' and 'Mobilising adaptation finance to build resilience'. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration on nature-related risk assessment and materiality, including advice and contents. We have also worked with the Climate Financial Risk Forum Adaptation Working Group, the Met Office and the University of Leeds to support investment into climate adaptation and resilience. Through bi-weekly workshops and first-hand research with financial institutions and asset managers, we explored how physical climate risks are incorporated into current decision-making. Based on these insights, we co-developed tools and guidance to improve data usage in climate-related risk and adaptation assessment frameworks. |
| Impact | Nature working group output: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/corporate/cfrf-nature-related-risk-handbook-financial-institutions-summary-document-2024.pdf On partnership with CFRF adapation Working Group, Met Office and University of Leeds, our outputs include: 1. Climate data 111+ - a database of open-source climate hazard data sources. Climate data 111+ compiles and segments 111+ climate hazard data sources according to the hazards covered, the frequency of data collection, the geographic area covered, the type of ensembles used, the underlying climate scenarios used, the indicators and metrics used, and the format of the data. As such, it is a one-stop-shop for FIs, policymakers, urban planners, researchers and more to discover what data sources are available and which are best-suited to their needs. https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/page/climate-hazard-open-sources 2. A database of open-source asset-level and vulnerability data sources. The synthesis of data sources includes over 70 sources of asset-level data and 39 sources of vulnerability data, including their methodology. This database enables financial institutions and other stakeholders to carry out complete risk assessments, in a world where asset-level data are predominantly proprietary. https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/page/asset-level-data-sources-physical-and-nature-risk-assessment 3. An updated database of climate adaptation and resilience targets and metrics. The database compiles over 300 targets and metrics sourced from 29 disclosure, performance management and adaptation finance tracking frameworks. The database includes information on its format, unit, principle and component for each metric and target to facilitate segmentation. This database can be used by stakeholders who seek guidance when developing adaptation plans, performance management frameworks, etc. https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/page/adaptation-targets-and-metrics 4. A database of climate adaptation and resilience taxonomies. The database compiles 35+ frameworks and classifies 24 of these as taxonomies. The database provides at-a-glance information (e.g. principles, sectors and definitions of resilience covered, description of methodology, etc.) for these frameworks to guide their correct use. The database also includes stand-alone sheets for each taxonomy illustrating the types of activities covered. We also carried out a brief analysis of the database and have submitted the results for publication. The database and the paper are the first to compile and analyse adaptation taxonomies, thus providing not just on how to use taxonomies, but where future taxonomic efforts should be concentrated. https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/page/taxonomies-database; https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4878341 5. Inputting into a report for CFRF. The report serves as a practical user guide for financial institutions and other stakeholders to carry out risk assessments and analyses. Step-by-step processes are outlined, with reference to the other outputs developed with the CFRF Adaptation Working Group. https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/corporate/cfrf-mobilising-adaptation-finance-build-resilience-2024.pdf 6. A tool to estimate firm adaptation alignment with adaptation and resilience. We drew from existing IFRS S2, TCFD and TNFD disclosure requirements to develop a framework consisting of 65 indicators that approximates adaptation and resilience alignment using public sustainability reports. The indicators are process-based and cover physical climate- and nature-related risks equally. We then collaborated with the University of Zürich to pair the framework with a natural language processing model to automate the analysis. This work and a preliminary analysis have been submitted for publication. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4874598 |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | FRB-CESAB ESEB working group |
| Organisation | Aix-Marseille University |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with researchers from Avignon University, University of Nottingham, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Institut de la Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Aix-Marseille University, and Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in a working group on "Impacts of European solar energy infrastructure on biodiversity: integrating existing knowledge to enable Nature Positive management and financial investments", which is funded by ITTECOP through FRB and CESAB. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The working group is the starting point for building a new academic and stakeholder network across Europe focussing on interactions between solar energy and the hosting ecosystem. |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes as yet. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | FRB-CESAB ESEB working group |
| Organisation | Anhalt University of Applied Sciences |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with researchers from Avignon University, University of Nottingham, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Institut de la Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Aix-Marseille University, and Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in a working group on "Impacts of European solar energy infrastructure on biodiversity: integrating existing knowledge to enable Nature Positive management and financial investments", which is funded by ITTECOP through FRB and CESAB. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The working group is the starting point for building a new academic and stakeholder network across Europe focussing on interactions between solar energy and the hosting ecosystem. |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes as yet. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | FRB-CESAB ESEB working group |
| Organisation | Lancaster University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with researchers from Avignon University, University of Nottingham, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Institut de la Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Aix-Marseille University, and Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in a working group on "Impacts of European solar energy infrastructure on biodiversity: integrating existing knowledge to enable Nature Positive management and financial investments", which is funded by ITTECOP through FRB and CESAB. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The working group is the starting point for building a new academic and stakeholder network across Europe focussing on interactions between solar energy and the hosting ecosystem. |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes as yet. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | FRB-CESAB ESEB working group |
| Organisation | Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with researchers from Avignon University, University of Nottingham, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Institut de la Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Aix-Marseille University, and Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in a working group on "Impacts of European solar energy infrastructure on biodiversity: integrating existing knowledge to enable Nature Positive management and financial investments", which is funded by ITTECOP through FRB and CESAB. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The working group is the starting point for building a new academic and stakeholder network across Europe focussing on interactions between solar energy and the hosting ecosystem. |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes as yet. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | FRB-CESAB ESEB working group |
| Organisation | University of Avignon |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with researchers from Avignon University, University of Nottingham, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Institut de la Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Aix-Marseille University, and Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in a working group on "Impacts of European solar energy infrastructure on biodiversity: integrating existing knowledge to enable Nature Positive management and financial investments", which is funded by ITTECOP through FRB and CESAB. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The working group is the starting point for building a new academic and stakeholder network across Europe focussing on interactions between solar energy and the hosting ecosystem. |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes as yet. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | FRB-CESAB ESEB working group |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with researchers from Avignon University, University of Nottingham, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Institut de la Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Aix-Marseille University, and Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in a working group on "Impacts of European solar energy infrastructure on biodiversity: integrating existing knowledge to enable Nature Positive management and financial investments", which is funded by ITTECOP through FRB and CESAB. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The working group is the starting point for building a new academic and stakeholder network across Europe focussing on interactions between solar energy and the hosting ecosystem. |
| Impact | No outputs or outcomes as yet. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-use and Energy (FABLE) consortium |
| Organisation | International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis |
| Country | Austria |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in scenario development to create and parameterise scenario narratives that can be simulated using the FABLE calculator |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise from the FABLE UK team and the FABLE Secretariat in supporting the continued development and improvement of the FABLE calculator |
| Impact | Outputs still being developed. Collaboration is multi-disciplinary covering biodiversity, agriculture, land use, modelling, scenario development, finance |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-use and Energy (FABLE) consortium |
| Organisation | Sustainable Development Solutions Network |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in scenario development to create and parameterise scenario narratives that can be simulated using the FABLE calculator |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise from the FABLE UK team and the FABLE Secretariat in supporting the continued development and improvement of the FABLE calculator |
| Impact | Outputs still being developed. Collaboration is multi-disciplinary covering biodiversity, agriculture, land use, modelling, scenario development, finance |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | IFB Business Fellows call |
| Organisation | Barclays |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Set up and manage IFB Business Fellowship including the assessment of applications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Applying businesses: contributing business context to the IFB program. |
| Impact | Three business fellows have been appointed to the program. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | IFB Business Fellows call |
| Organisation | Swiss Re |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Set up and manage IFB Business Fellowship including the assessment of applications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Applying businesses: contributing business context to the IFB program. |
| Impact | Three business fellows have been appointed to the program. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | IFB Knowledge Exchange Fellowship call |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Set up and manage IFB Knowledge Exchange Fellowship including the assessment of applications by the review panel. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Other academic organisations: application for fellowships, work extending the potential for outputs from the program. |
| Impact | Two fellowships have been awarded to date, six remain to be assessed from second call. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | IFB Knowledge Exchange Fellowship call |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Set up and manage IFB Knowledge Exchange Fellowship including the assessment of applications by the review panel. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Other academic organisations: application for fellowships, work extending the potential for outputs from the program. |
| Impact | Two fellowships have been awarded to date, six remain to be assessed from second call. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Impacts and risks of degradation of ecosystem services on the real economy and financial sector |
| Organisation | European Central Bank |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration on assessing EU financial risks related to nature and biodiversity |
| Collaborator Contribution | Design of methodologies, conduct of analysis, writing papers |
| Impact | Internal workshop. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Annual Meeting of Rubber Traders in Hamburg |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Several presentations to industry stakeholders on mapping resources for deforestation due diligence in rubber supply chains |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Attendance at BIOFIN-EU consortium kick off meeting University of Limerick 11-14 June 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Series of workshops and related activities between academics and finance sector representatives e.g. Institute of Banking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://biofin-project.eu/biofin-eu-kick-off-meeting/ |
| Description | Chairing roundtable on nature finance for Minister for Development (FCDO) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Invited to chair a high-level roundtable with CEOs from the financial sector on behalf of the Minister for Development. Chaired the roundtable to support the ministerial dialogue with the private sector. Supported the preparation of the roundtable and briefing of the Minister on nature and adaptation finance |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (CILT), MDX presentation: Can Driving Environmental Change in Road Freight Pay Dividends? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Middlesex University NERC IFB programme event with Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (CILT) event online 18/09/2024: Can Driving Environmental Change in Road Freight Pay Dividends? Presentation to Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (CILT). This online evening seminar to the major UK freight and logistics trade body, focusing on small business transition to environmental practices and how it might be financed, focused on achieving a triple bottom line view. Emphasis was on how to attract and motivate the sector's predominately micro business members to transition to greener, more environmentally sensitive practices, whilst improving their bottom-line costs. The case for the environment and importance of biodiversity dependencies and their connectivity with human health were presented, along with SME case studies of how going green can lead to more efficient and sustainable businesses. Around 10 industry stakeholders attended, including small and large road transport businesses, lobbying groups, policymakers and academics. On the positive side CILT are interested in taking forward this collaboration with their regional membership. From a learning perspective, the audience wanted more cost efficiency and access to finance case evidence, and were particularly interested in Biodiversity Net Gain. These were factors which would suit further, more focused presentations and also online support toolkit development (MDX researchers Dr Burnett and Prof Owen aim to present their nature positive toolkit to CILT during 2025). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | EU reporting standards workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Joined workshop with the Stockholm Resilience Centre and the German Centre for integrative Biodiversity Research on assessing current EU nature sustainability reporting standards and writing an open letter to advise the European Commission in adjustments made following the Omnibus proposal. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://infinbio.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/Brief-Staying-Green-Retaining-the-integrity-of-envi... |
| Description | Financing Sustainable Food Systems online seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Financing Sustainable Food Systems online seminar (05/12/2024). The seminar was supported by Royal Academy of Engineering and STFC Food Network +. MDX IFB researcher Prof Robyn Owen was a guest speaker, presenting the case for financing SME innovation to improve sustainable agrifood systems. The presentation highlighted the importance of SME tech innovations relating to advancing ecological services and smart farming practices in the UK and globally. Case studies from the MDX IFB research programme, such as PES Technology, Watr.tech, Nature Metrics and Chirrup were discussed, as well as the need for improved financing programmes and structures to facilitate agrifood tech networking and open innovation - avoiding current siloing, which is holding back commercial market advances. The role of the MDX nature positive accelerator was discussed and praised by the host from IntelliDigest - whose venture had benefited from this accelerator. The event led to an international Sub Sahara Africa research proposal and further commitment from IntelliDigest case study to supporting ongoing MDX research and accelerator work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/events/7268022948291129344/comments/ |
| Description | Hot Topics Webinar: IAPB's New Framework for High Integrity Biodiversity Credits |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credit's new Framework for High-Integrity Biodiversity Credit Markets marks a key step in aligning biodiversity financing with meaningful conservation outcomes and ethical market practices. It underscores the importance of biodiversity credits that ensure verified outcomes for nature, uphold equity and fairness, and foster good governance in credit markets and provides guidelines for achieving this ambition. Hosted by Prof Marc Metzger and Julia McCarthy and chaired by Dr Hannah Rudman, Prof Franziska Schrodt and Prof Richard Field, University of Nottingham, theme and flagship leaders within the InFinBio programme and technical co-leads of the workgroup that developed the newly released Framework, provided an overview of the framework followed by an opportunity for Q&A and discussion with 60+ attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/0W-9Ga8k7Y4?feature=shared |
| Description | International Workshop: Mobilising private capital for nature restoration: Opportunities and Impediments, 21 March 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A one-day international knowledge exchange workshop on 21 March 2024, focussing on how private sector investment in nature restoration (with a focus on biodiversity) can be mobilised. The one-day event in Belfast presenetd case studies from Bank of Ireland that will highlighttg current and emerging best practice examples from the financial sector, covering design and implementation of nature finance products from a finance perspective. In addition KPMG presented their recently published 'Nature of Finance' report, authored by KPMG Sustainable Futures and commissioned by the International Sustainable Finance Centre of Excellence (ISFCOE) through support from Skillnet Ireland. This report is understood to be the first independent assessment of nature-related risks and opportunities for Ireland's financial sector. In an afternoon workshop session the participants explored the opportunities and impediments to incentivising private finance in nature restoration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Invited panel member of Wolverhampton University online workshop on SME AI take-up |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Robyn Owen of Middlesex University NERC IFB programme was an invited panel member for a symposium workshop on SME take-up of AI in West Midlands, organised by Wolverhampton University (15/07/24). She stressed that it is vitally important that the long tail of under-performing UK SMEs adopts digital tech to become more competitive. However, deep rooted cultural and regional barriers persist, particularly for women-led, ethnic, established family and rural enterprises. This will also impact on enabling a just green transition, where digital efficiencies have huge energy saving potential. Government must address this to prevent the 2.5m of UK smaller businesses being left behind in the next wave of digital AI machine learning business adoption. The importance f a holistic approach to environmental practices was highlighted, to ensure that climate and low carbon are related to business models which propagate nature positive practices. The event was attended by a mix of academics, support services, such as West Midland's region 'Made Smart' programme which support SME manufacturing digitisation and low carbon impact and SMEs, including an assisted female-led SME business case. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7218571552814960640/ |
| Description | Joint meeting of Integating Finance and Biodiversity programme and Economics of Biodiversity programme 29-30 January 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Joint meeting of two UKRI research programmes concerned with Biodiversity. Some stakeholders were in attendance e.g. GFI. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://infinbio.org/news-and-media/news/first-integrating-finance-and-biodiversity-conference-under... |
| Description | Keynote address and panel discussion at UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment Annual Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Keynote presentation on 'Assessing the materiality of nature-related risks to the UK' report followed by panel discussion on 'Assessing nature-related risk: are today's analytics good enough?' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.cgfi.ac.uk/2024-annual-forum/#nature |
| Description | MDX Prof Fergus Lyon contribution to Groundswell Regenerative Festival Workshops: Scenarios for a scaled-up nature positive future |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 26th June 2024 At Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival, Workshops on scenarios for a scaled-up nature-positive future were help with a focus on Plausible narratives that develop strategies to make measures and metrics suitable and operational for SMEs and investors by 2030. This involved conversations with different stakeholders including providers of technology, land agents, farmers and policy makers who were attending the 2- day meeting. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | MDX Prof Fergus Lyon presentation to Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival - How Landowners can bring nature and communities onto the land |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 27 June 2024- Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival. Fergus Lyon presented work about how existing landowners can adopt more responsible and progressive to bring nature and communities onto the land and how this relates to business models. This session explored the opportunities and challenges of different approaches to owning, holding, stewarding and sharing land in ways that strengthen the connection between people and land in times of transition and with visions of more regenerative approaches. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | MDX Prof Lyon - Environmental Farmers Group board meeting Roundtable with EFG 7th November 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Middlesex University SME Nature Positive Finance researcher Prof Lyon attended and presented to the UK Environmental Farmers Group board meeting round table on 07/11/2024. Prof Lyon presented findings from IFB and related AFN research relating to farmers adoption of nature positive practices and the financing of such activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Middlesex University NERC IFB Accelerator Pitch event. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Following 3 months accelerator coaching and support for a small cohort of 12 nature positive SMEs by the Middlesex University NERC IFB team a pitching event was held on 20/06/24. This involved 7 pitches from cohort SMEs, at late seed stage seeking external investments of up to £5m. Circa 40 people attended, including industry professionals, private SME coaching and support services and early-stage impact investors. Investors included UK angel and VC investors and an international VC investor from India. Plans were made for a second accelerator - subsequently funded by NERC IFB with further private in-kind support from coaches and investors, including Green Angel Syndicate, the UK's largest green/climate early-stage investor group. More information on event findings: https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/finance/blog-ro-micro-accelerator/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/finance/sme-finbio-pitching-event/ |
| Description | Middlesex University Nature Positive Accelerator Inception Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 16 January 2025: Middlesex University held the in-person inception event for the second IFB sponsored SME Nature Positive Accelerator, 2025. Presentations to an invited audience of 30 people included IFB programme introduction by CEH IFB programme lead, Nick Wells, MDX IFB research lead Prof Owen, accelerator coach, Finlay Kerr and contributions by various private and public support services for the accelerator relating to accounting, IP, tech support (MDX Prof Dafoulas) and nature positive venture value creation (MDX Dougal Fleming). 16 accelerator cohort members were present in person or online. The event established initial linkages between cohort members and the support programme coaches and network. The cohort of seed to series A UK-based SME nature positive ventures will pitch to investors at UoEL Royal Docks on 15/05/25. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Middlesex University and Birmingham City University SME green finance conference on Biodiversity Net Gain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Biodiversity Net Gain and Green Finance for SMEs: A Midlands Perspective conference on SME green finance held by Middlesex University NERC IFB programme in collaboration with Birmingham City University on 05/07/2025. The conference featured presentations on innovations in SME green finance and the development of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) from a West Midlands perspective. We had keynote presentations from MDX Prof Robyn Owen (on SME finance innovations along the emerging UK green finance escalator), IUK, Legacy Habitat Bank and Birmingham City Council. The conference was fully subscribed with 65 delegates, attracting a cross-section of academics, practitioners and policy makers with a keen focus on the West Midlands, which is one of England's most advanced regions in terms of delivering BNG services. MDX IFB researcher Dr Amy Burnett delivered a paper on BNG governance and Malvern District Council (one of MDX research case studies) delivered a practical case study of local BNG policy and practice. Fantastic insights into SME green finance came from key IUK, Birmingham City Council and Legacy Habitat Bank speakers and great cutting-edge research contributions. The conference highlighted the need for a clear UK roadmap for SME green finance and greater regional and local access to cohesive green finance. It highlighted the need for clear and consistent guidance for local authorities in the use and development of BNG and also other environmental credit mechanisms. This can support green SME innovation and green SME transition and a more prosperous, planet positive UK economy! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7215003425028087811/ |
| Description | Middlesex University hosted symposium: 'SME Green Horizons: Tackling Financing for Nature Friendly Businesses |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 04/02/2025 Middlesex University, NERC Integrating Finance and Biodiversity (IFB) programme and the Centre for the Understanding Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP) hosted an in-person symposium on accelerating and supporting nature-friendly ventures in Hendon, London (MDX London campus). This event explored the key issues facing small business green innovation and green transition, drawing on current cutting-edge research and practitioner work in the UK and Ireland. The event convened thought leaders, academics, and practitioners to forge the path ahead for sustainable finance and ventures. We reflected on innovation in nature-positive approaches, showcasing the latest advancements in green business models, ESG policies, and sustainable development methodologies. The event highlighted the potential of nature-positive ventures in a broader shift to greener practices and supply chains. Those in the room cast a critical eye on how these initiatives can be cultivated and scaled and what are some of the challenges facing SMEs when they do so. It was an inspirational afternoon, showcasing how nature-positive SMEs and investors can take flight - with the right support and resources to change the structures of our economy - and through a group of people committed to making it happen. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/566d167786554a6eb8aba53a6010877f |
| Description | Nature Finance UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Showcasing the latest developments on UK nature markets. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://ecosystemsknowledge.net/event/nature-finance-uk-2024/ |
| Description | Next Generation of Nature-Climate Analytics and Scenarios for Finance workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The closed-door forum brought together over 100 leading experts from across finance, economics, and science with a focus on risk management, investment and setting nature transition plans. The workshop combined keynote speeches from leading practitioners and researchers, panel discussions and workshop-style dialogue to build the frameworks and priorities for future nature-climate-economy modelling, data, analytics and scenario development including: Keynotes from Bart van den Hurk and Paula Harrison covering the IPCC and IPBES perspectives and Emily McKenzie on her personal journey through Dasgupta Review to her leading role at Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and their work on scenarios Saskia de Vries, Marc Reinke, Helen Avery, Ben Carr, Christopher Karminker. discussion on setting the landscape on Nature-Climate-Finance Dr Nicola Ranger, Andrej Ceglar and Dr Jimena Alvarez presenting the finding from our recent work on Principles and Frameworks for Integrated Nature-Climate Scenario Development Irene Monasterolo, Violette Pradère, Charlie Dixon, Gareth Thomas, Miodrag Stevanovic and Justin Johnson covering the state of the art in analytics and modelling to assess nature-related risks and opportunities for finance Jo Paisley, Romain Svartzman, Sandy Trust, James Vause and Michael Obersteiner discussing Next Steps for Integrated Nature-Climate Risk Assessment. Shewly Choudhury from UKRI opened the proceedings Co-convened by the Environmental Change Institute (ECI), University of Oxford, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and University of Reading in collaboration with wider partners, we also formally launched the Greening Finance for Nature Flagship led by Dr Nicola Ranger of the Integrating Finance and Biodiversity Programme introduced by Nick Wells with a celebratory dinner and drinks reception. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://infinbio.org/news-and-media/news/next-generation-nature-climate-analytics-and-scenarios-fina... |
| Description | Numerous industry consultations to provide technical input into deforestation due diligence processes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Numerous industry consultations, requesting capacity building in GIS and technical assistance for deforestation due diligence systems |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | PRB Working Group - IFB Phase 2 workshop with UNEP FI |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The PRB Working Group included around 30 banks currently supported by UNEP FI. The workshop had the objective of presenting the discussion paper under development and obtaining feedback on the methodology and the overarching step-by-step approach, including illustrative examples. The group of PRB banks provided specific feedback to be integrated in the latest stage of the discussion paper. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Participation in rubber industry workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Annual Dinner of the Rubber Trade Association of Europe: Participation in a workshop attended by c. 70 rubber industry stakeholders representing major rubber trading, tyre maker and other corporations to discuss processes for deforestation due diligence in supply chains; several companies expressed requests for technical/scientific input |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Partnering Event on InnovateUK award "Unlocking Nature Positive Private Investment" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Partnering event to match academics and industry responding the InnovateUK call associated with this IFB award. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/innovate-uk-unlocking-nature-positive-private-investment-partnering-e... |
| Description | Podcast by MDX IFB researcher Prof Lyon on Sustainable Farming with Nature' for Every Voice Matters - Rethinking Diversity and Environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | MDX IFB SME Nature Positive Finance researcher Prof Lyon undertook an interview podcast titles 'Sustainable Farming with Nature' for Every Voice Matters - Rethinking Diversity and Environment on 22/04/24. Prof Lyon recounted his experience in managing Easthall Farm in Hertfordshire and combined this with research findings from the MDX IFB project relating to our work with farm technology, supply chains and other English agrifood stakeholder groups. This included the farm's work with large food buyer schemes offering incentives for organic and nature-related produce. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://open.spotify.com/episode/4eAm3AZgk6g1o0sYCua9L2 |
| Description | Sustainable Finance Life |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Event on the challenges of the transaction journey in natural capital ecosystems |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.sustainablefinance.live/ |
| Description | Sustainable Futures Forum 2024: Building For Good |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This was a research-led event hosted by the University of York, that brought together a wide range of stakeholders: industry leaders, policy makers, community members and future generations. Panel themes included: Responsible Business, Sustainable Supply Chains and Business and Nature. The integration of responsible business practices, sustainable supply chains and a commitment to protecting nature ensures that companies not only contribute to the wellbeing of the planet but also secure their long-term success in a rapidly changing world. In this way, businesses can play a key role in promoting the systemic changes needed to build a sustainable and equitable future for all. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Talk at event on deforestation free supply chains organised by London Zoo |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Talk at an event on deforestation free supply chains organised by Zoological Society London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Talk at event on deforestation free supply chains organised by London Zoo |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Talk at an event on deforestation free supply chains organised by Zoological Society London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | The Deloitte Nature and Finance Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A collaborative and interactive workshop focused on unlocking capital and investment for transitioning to a nature-positive future. Keynote given on the importance of taking account of interlinkages between biodiversity, climate change, water, food, soil and health in investing in integrated action using nexus approaches |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Towards a nature positive future for fashion and textiles online workshop: Supporting Innovative Practices In Small And Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | On 4 June 2024, Dr Andrea Werner (Middlesex University) and Dr Mila Burcikova (Centre for Sustainable Fashion, University of the Arts London) hosted an event entitled "Towards a nature positive future in fashion and textiles - Supporting Innovative Practices In Small And Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)". It featured presentations from small scale ventures based in the UK that seek to develop nature-positive, regenerative alternatives to current mainstream practices in fashion and textiles. The audience, consisting of ca 45 participants from practice and academia, listened to presentations from British Pasture Leather, Papillon Bleu and Fibreshed, before engaging in a discussion around the challenges of measuring positive environmental impact, the finance needs of small innovative ventures that seek to drive forward change, and the need to re-build traditional textile manufacturing infrastructures in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Webinar: Ecological crisis in the UK & Ireland's largest Lake: a potential test site for the Integrating Finance and Biodiversity programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | An online international webinar primarily focussed on researchers working on NERC Integating Finance and Biodiversity Programme and the Horizon Europe BIOFIN-EU project "Unlocking finance to protect and restore biodiversity" projects. Neil Reid presented how eutrophication of the UKs largest lake happened, the causes and potential mitigation strategies. The webinar is now available on the IFB website. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://infinbio.org/news-and-media/news/video-overview-lough-neagh-potential-ifb-test-site |
| Description | West London Chamber of Commerce Bank of England Green Finance Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Prof Robyn Owen from Middlesex University was a guest speaker alongside Green Angel Syndicate and the Bank of England to discuss UK economic conditions and green finance markets on 09/07/2024. The event was attended by over 50 members of the WLCC, including SME business members, support services and local authority staff. Prof Owen called for more targeted green investment support from local and national government and was well received. It was noted that the new Chancellor for the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves has required the Central Bank to pay more attention to ensuring that banks and financial institutions do more green investment. Green Angel Syndicate also announced that they will be seeking FCA permission to launch a VC climate fund in the near future! Both Prof Owen and Nick Lythe (Founder of GAS) presented the case for a more holistic approach to climate investing to include nature positive biodiversity investment. In particular, it was stressed that early-stage UK SME innovation can - if sufficiently supported by public-private investment initiatives like British Business Bank's (under British Business Investment arm) regional angel fund - can help commercialise tech solutions to meet Kunming-Montreal targets. WLCC has been influenced to become more involved in supporting MDX research and promotion to its members and several members have become part of the MDX IFB project, including case study SME innovators and support services (e.g. W Legal - which is now part of the current MDX nature positive accelerator programme, 2025). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7216410155901485059/ |
| Description | World Biodiversity Forum Session on Biodiversity Finance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A session with panel discussion and workshop on "Biodiversity Finance" at the World Biodiversity Forum in Davos. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://worldbiodiversityforum2024.org/ |