Finance and Biodiversity Pavilion COP16
Finance and Biodiversity Pavilion – Events Programme
The Finance and Biodiversity Pavilion will serve as a central hub at COP16 to discuss the alignment of financial flows with the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Join us for an exciting line-up of panel discussions and workshops on sustainable investment strategies, biodiversity impact assessment, innovative financial instruments and policy developments.
Location – Blue zone, Valle del Pacifio
Accessibility – The events will take place in-person only.
Special thanks – This Pavilion is made possible with the support of the members of FfB Foundation and the Accountability Accelerator.
Date | Start | Organisers | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 01: Mon, 21 Oct | 15:00-16:00 | BCA, UNDP, UNEP FI | Building the Future: Digitally Native Frameworks for Scaling Biodiversity Credits | The side-event aims to discuss guidelines for the practitioners in the biodiversity credit ecosystem to support the enabling of digitally native biodiversity markets, which can help foster trust and efficiency in the market. The panel discussion will be framed around principles that can be reflected and embedded within rule-based digital solutions for biodiversity credit issuance, transfer, and retirement. The aim is to ensure that these processes are accurate, well-documented, verifiable, equitable, and transparent, thereby fostering trust and efficiency within the biodiversity credit markets. |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfB | Closed FfB members information session | |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 10:30–11:30 | Rainforest Norway Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, DRC government | Direct Finance for indigenous peoples and local communities at scale to protect DRC's intact rainforests | Co-hosted with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Wildlife Conservation Society and Rainforest Foundation Norway, this side event will shine a light on the potential for community forestry, inclusive financing instruments and payment for ecosystems approaches to meet DRC’s 30x30 targets and close the funding gap for indigenous peoples and local communities, thus justly rewarding their contribution in combating deforestation. |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 12:00–13:00 | UNDP | A tool to support the public Biodiversity Expenditure review: GLOBE Taxonomy | The session introduces the Global Biodiversity Expenditure (GLOBE) Taxonomy, a tool BIOFIN has been developing over the past years to support countries to facilitate their public Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER). So far, BIOFIN supported 41 countries in this process and has continuously improved and enhanced the methodology. GLOBE is an additional tool to ease the process of realizing the BER process within the design of a Biodiversity Finance Plan. GLOBE is designed in such a way, that it can also support countries not following the BIOFIN methodology or support subnational actors. |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 13:30–14:15 | UNEP FI | Just Partnerships for Delivering Target 19: Exchange and Learning Between Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities and the Financial Sector | Setting the scene - The event is intended to promote learning and exchange between members of the financial sector and Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities in the interest of building an equitable and Nature Positive future. Within the Finance & Biodiversity Pavilion, it focuses on topics relevant to finance such as rights and safeguards, new instruments such as biodiversity credits, and moving towards “just partnerships”. |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 14:20–15:00 | UNEP FI | Just Partnerships for Delivering Target 19: Exchange and Learning Between Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities and the Financial Sector | Roundtable Dialogue – Building the Future of Nature Finance Together |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 15:30–16:15 | UNEP FI | Just Partnerships for Delivering Target 19: Exchange and Learning Between Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities and the Financial Sector | Rights-based approach - non-negotiable terms for just and equitable partnerships |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 16:20–17:10 | UNEP FI | Just Partnerships for Delivering Target 19: Exchange and Learning Between Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities and the Financial Sector | Showcase - Building and scaling biodiversity credit projects led by Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant and Local Communities |
Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 17:15–18:00 | UNEP FI | Just Partnerships for Delivering Target 19: Exchange and Learning Between Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities and the Financial Sector | Closing reflections: Finance and Indigenous Peoples - building a nature positive and net zero future together |
Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfB | Closed FfB members information session | |
Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 10:30-11:30 | Sustainable Finance Coalition, IUCN WCPA SFSG | Finance Solutions Designed for Impact and Built for Scale: Africa’s rising tide of finance innovation by conservation actors | The event proposes to unpack how finance solutions can be developed with and for beneficiaries and conservation actors ensuring finance reaches the point of impact. The event will unpack key questions on effectively designing solutions and tailor-making solutions for the end user. It will unpack the importance of ensuring integrity in building in IP&LC experts into each finance solution and the practical steps involved to ensure core benefits. The event will showcase concrete examples of finance solutions in various stages of development, noting the Building Blocks of each for replication. Read more |
Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 12:00–13:00 | UNEP FI, Valuing Water Initiative, OECD | Banking on water | The aim of the event is to: demonstrate how action to reverse the destruction of freshwater resources can help banks to deliver across a range of social, nature and business goals; present the current state of water-related action underway within banking institutions ; and inspire participants to advance their activities as it relates to identifying, disclosing and eliminating financed water impacts. The event will combine direct presentations, inspiring video, a CEO waterside chat and dialogue with the audience. We will share real world examples of action, big and small, and how these have generated a return for the banks involved. |
Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 13:30–14:30 | UNEP FI | An ocean of opportunities: Financial pathways for ocean health | Hosted by UNEP FI, this event is designed to inform COP16 parties and key stakeholders about various initiatives and resources being developed to improve the ocean’s health through financial mechanisms. This session will provide a platform to share current developments in the sustainable blue finance space and offer insights into the growing opportunities and improving conditions within marine-related sectors. |
Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 15:00–16:00 | UNDP | Unlocking nature-positive incentives with a ‘Nature ID’ Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) | Nature ID: Unlocking Nature-Positive Incentives With Digital Public Infrastructure.’ By monitoring and verifying the holistic health and value of spatially defined natural assets, digital identity systems (Nature ID) can potentially scale nature-positive incentives such as payments for ecosystem services, biodiversity credits and value chain traceability. Nature ID can also help safeguard the legal rights of nature and Indigenous Peoples. The event will engage key stakeholders on the policy, social and technical aspects of this initiative. |
Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 16:30–17:30 | FfB | Information Session on FfB | This interactive event will showcase the impactful work and overarching mission of the FfB Foundation, including a deep dive into working group initiatives and industry research publications from active member institutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about becoming a member and signatory of the FfB Pledge, as well as share ideas with the FfB community on nature positive solutions. Read more |
Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 18:00–19:00 | UNEP FI | Synergies between finance for nature conservation, climate action and the combat against plastic pollution | This session will explore the synergies between financing nature conservation, climate action, and combating plastic pollution, focusing on creating a sustainable circular plastics economy. The panel will delve into the optimal mix of public, private, market, and non-market finance needed to support these efforts. Key discussions will highlight the role of harmonized disclosures, target setting, and metrics across the plastics value chain. We’ll also examine how to catalyze private investment through public-private partnerships, blended finance, and de-risking strategies, preparing financial actors for the upcoming international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. |
Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfB | Closed FfB members information session | |
Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 10:15–11:15 | Biodiversity Credits Alliance (BCA); UNDP, UNEP | Unlocking demand for biodiversity credits by ensuring high integrity | This is a Biodiversity Credit Alliance multi-stakeholder panel to kick-off a scoping process for an integrity mechanism for the biodiversity credit market, to scale and mobilize finance by ensuring demand integrity. The event will catalyze momentum and set a foundation for next steps in developing a market integrity mechanism. |
Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 11:15-11:45 | Better Worlds | Agrobiodiversity in a 'jajañ'. "Being and thinking Kamëntšá from the garden." | Movie projection |
Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 12:00-12:30 | BloombergNEF | BloombergNEF Biodiversity Finance Factbook: COP16 Launch | Increasing finance flows into the preservation and restoration of nature is critical to meet the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. In this briefing, BloombergNEF's analysts present the latest data and analysis on public and private sector financial flows into nature, in the 2024 Edition of the Biodiversity Finance Factbook. The Factbook is an essential resource for finance, policy and sustainability professionals to understand the current state of financial flows into nature, and what is required. It also identifies where funding should be prioritised and offers insights on how to make this happen. Read more |
Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 12:30–13:15 | ShareAction | Investing in a greener future: The role of investors in a transition to sustainable chemicals and biodiversity | This event will explore the importance of a chemicals sector transition in the context of the Global Biodiversity Framework, the role of investors and their stewardship efforts in enabling such transition. The panel will also provide a space to share progress, barriers and highlight the boundaries of voluntary financial sector action, to discuss what governments, should be doing more of to enable the transition of the chemicals sector in alignment with the GBF. |
Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 13:30–14:30 | Rabobank | Showcase Rabobank | |
Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 15:00–19:00 | UNEP FI, UNEP-WCMC, Global Canopy | ENCORE Day | Join us for ENCORE Day at COP16, where we will showcase how financial institutions can leverage the ENCORE tool to align financial flows with biodiversity goals. The day will include interactive sessions, panel discussions, and presentations that explore ENCORE’s role in nature-related risk assessments, featuring case studies from financial institutions. Attendees will gain hands-on insights into how ENCORE supports decision-making, risk assessment, and dependency screening. We’ll also present updates to the ENCORE knowledge base, followed by a closing plenary with global leaders discussing the future of tool for the finance industry. |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | UNDP | Revolutionizing Natures Role in Financial Resilience: 4 protection products for biodiversity investments | The event will convene four different institutions who will socialize their work in the construction of products focused on protecting biodiversity investments: 1. Humanwildlife conflict in the protection of jaguars in Argentina; 2. Protection of forests against fires in Chile; 3. Protection of the paramos in Colombia; 4. Protection of national parks and habitat banking in Colombia. This technical space will also be focused on explore the opportunity to financially protect nature by 1) scaling insurance solutions for natural assets that incentivize and encourage investment and 2) developing insurance models that integrate financial value of nature into premiums. |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 10:30–11:30 | UNEP FI | Building an Enabling Policy and Regulatory Framework | This session will feature a dialogue between financial institutions and governments on strategies to mobilize private finance for nature. Participants will explore key policy reforms, including supervisory regulations and nature markets, and discuss ways to integrate private finance into national biodiversity strategies. The conversation will highlight successful examples from various regions and sectors, aiming to identify effective approaches for attracting private capital to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 11:30–12:30 | UNEP FI | Governance, Transparency, and Accountability in Biodiversity Finance | This session will explore innovative approaches to scale and de-risk private investment in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). Focusing on Global Biodiversity Framework Target 19, we'll examine risk mitigation techniques and incentives to enhance nature financing. Experts will discuss blended finance, guarantees, insurance mechanisms, and fiscal incentives, showcasing successful examples that have effectively attracted private capital to biodiversity projects. Join us to learn about cutting-edge strategies for mobilizing private finance in support of global biodiversity goals. |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 12:45-13:45 | Principles for Responsible Investment | Policy Dialogue: The Role of Government in Enabling Finance for Nature | How can governments enable financial institutions to contribute to the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework? This session will discuss the key policy asks from the financial sector to governments, as outlined in the PRI’s Policy Briefing: Priorities for COP16 and the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation’s Aligning financial flows with the Global Biodiversity Framework reports, and hear from governments on their perspectives on policymaking. The session will furthermore explore the policy priorities for COP16 and beyond, and how the financial sector can contribute constructively to the policymaking process. Read more |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 14:00–15:00 | UNDP, UNEP | From Harm to Harmony: Redefining Agricultural Subsidies for Biodiversity Conservation | The agriculture sector is a key pillar of economic development, employment, and food security for many countries. The purpose of this event is to catalyze stakeholder consensus on the “what”, “why”, and “how” needed for governments to repurpose harmful agricultural subsidies in ways that align with objectives for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food and commodities systems. |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 15:00–16:00 | UNEP FI, UNDP, Green Finance Institute | Market-based Mechanisms for Private Investment with Nature-Positive Outcomes | This session will explore innovative market-based approaches to achieve nature-positive outcomes, aligning with Global Biodiversity Framework Target 19. We will examine England's Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy and some nature-based solutions for water as case studies for unlocking private investment in nature. Discussions will focus on how these successful mechanisms can be replicated globally. Join us to learn about cutting-edge strategies that enable private investors to contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable water management. |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 16:00–17:00 | UNEP FI, CISL | Strengthening the Financial and Business Cases: Operationalising Private Commercial Nature Finance | Bringing nature from the sidelines and into the core operation and decision making across financial institutions, while aligning NBSAPs with private sector priorities to create opportunities. |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 17:00–18:00 | FfB, UNEP FI | Finance for Nature Positive: monitoring and mobilisation of financial flows | The event on “Finance for Nature Positive” is meant to solicit feedback on the FfB Foundation & UNEP FI’s discussion paper providing guidance on how financial institutions can contribute to implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework. The panel will gather key stakeholders to exchange views on nature strategies to reduce the drivers of biodiversity loss and identify opportunities to conserve and restore biodiversity. Read more |
Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 18:00-19:00 | FfB | Finance & Biodiversity COP16 reception | |
Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfB | Closed FfB members information session | |
Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 10:00–11:00 | FfB | The Elephant in the Room: Nature and Data | This event will introduce the FfB Biodiversity Data Platform (version 1.0), designed to support financial institutions in selecting the right data provider and data points for specific objectives. Following the presentation, a panel of data providers and financial institutions will discuss the challenges, solutions and opportunities associated with nature-related data. This event will highlight the importance of reliable data for financial institutions in assessing impacts and dependencies, setting targets, and taking the necessary actions to achieve their nature-related goals. Read more |
Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 11:15–12:15 | Lloyds Banking Group and The Nature Conservancy | Global Goals in Action: Aligning financial flows with global goals to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation | At UNFCCC COP 26, countries representing over 90% of the world’s forests signed up to the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use – pledging to halt and reverse forest loss and degradation by 2030, whilst supporting sustainable development and an inclusive rural transformation. Lloyds Banking Group, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, welcomes a leading panel from across government, regulation, investment and banking to reflect on where we’ve got to so far in terms of aligning financial flows with this global goal. |
Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 12:30–13:30 | WWF | Investing in Nature-Based Solutions to deliver transformative biodiversity and climate actions in Africa.></td> | This event aims to highlight the critical role of nature-based solutions by addressing the two-fold climate and biodiversity crises and delivering tangible solutions. It will explore how NbS actions are growing, but also the challenges and opportunities in mobilizing NbS finance for Africa, with the urgency of bridging the funding gap. The event will also discuss innovative financing mechanisms, partnerships, and concrete recommendations for policymakers to ensure that climate and biodiversity commitments are translated into tangible actions. It will explore different horizons needed to unlock sustainable finance that help accelerating the resilience of people and nature in Africa. |
Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 14:00–15:00 | FfB | Biodiversity impact and dependency assessments in the finance sector: The time to act is now | This session will present the launch of two cutting-edge biodiversity measurement guides tailored for financial institutions and companies, featuring the latest tools and methodologies for assessing biodiversity impacts and dependencies. Following the launch, a panel of leading organisations and financial institutions will engage in a discussion on critical topics within the measurement field. These will include practical recommendations for financial institutions on assessing impacts and dependencies, the role of measurement in guiding decision-making, and a vision for the evolution of measurement by 2030, among other relevant subjects. Read more |
Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 15:15-16:15 | CFA, IUCN WCPA, KfW | Conservation Finance Impact and Innovation: Solutions for 30x30 and beyond | The Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA), a leading alliance of nature finance practitioners and experts, will share several initiatives and insights in support of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The CFA, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas’ (WCPA) Sustainable Finance Specialist Group, and partners will launch the comprehensive Practice Guidance on Protected and Conserved Area Finance. The release will be introduced by Madhu Rao, WCPA Chair. The CFA will also share current developments of a biodiversity credit accelerator and Nature Stewardship Certificates (under Verra’s Nature Framework). These presentations will be followed by a dynamic panel discussion to explore how these and related finance solutions can achieve impact and scale for area-based conservation. |
Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 17:00–18:30 | Federated Hermes Limited | Moving together to tackle the biodiversity crisis | Join us to explore how different parts of the financial system and science can come together to contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss in this decade - the mission of the Biodiversity Plan. You will hear perspectives about effective implementation of the 30x30 goal, investment, stewardship and regulatory approaches from Federated Hermes Limited, the Natural History Museum in the UK, and the Hungarian Central Bank. |
Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfB | Closed FfB members information session | |
Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 10:15–11:15 | UNEP FI | PRB Sector Action Guidance for Nature: Getting Started in the Agricultural, Forestry, and Mining Sectors | This session will present key recommendations for banks to help their agriculture and mining clients address and mitigate nature loss. Industry experts and banking leaders will share their insights and experiences in engaging clients on nature-related challenges, offering practical strategies for fostering sustainable practices across these critical sectors. |
Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 11:15-12:45 | FfB, UNEP FI, UNDP | Integrating nature into sovereign debt | The purpose of this event is to start a practical dialogue for financial institutions and their sovereign counterparts to mobilise private financial flows to countries to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Including meaningful and operable nature considerations in the assessment of sovereign debt is at the heart of this approach. The panel will stress how integrating nature into sovereign debt can help bridge the current gap between the financial markets and sovereign issuing governments, particularly in emerging markets. The panel will present the views of complementary stakeholders: governments, central banks, public and private financial institutions, multilateral institutions. Read more |
Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 13:45–14:45 | UNEP FI, UNDP, Green Finance Institute, Environmental Policy Innovation Center | Mitigation Banking: Practical Lessons Learned from Colombia and the US | The event will deep dive into existing market mechanisms for nature. It will build on the R4N Guidebook Series which provides an in-depth analysis of models across the globe that unlock private sector capital into nature restoration or protection. The practical lessons learned of two R4N Guidebooks will inform the discussions with a set of panelists bringing their perspective on US and Colombia Mitigation Banking. |
Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 15:00–16:30 | Silverstrand Capital | Enabling the Ecosystem for Nature-Positive Ventures | This session will shed light on how different players, including incubators, accelerators, innovation challenges and investors play a role in the ecosystem on supporting early nature positive ventures through various financial and non financial resources. Nature tech innovators from the Biodiversity Accelerator+ programme will also be pitching about their work, with the session culminating in an award ceremony and a networking session at the reception booth with light bites provided. Register your interest to attend |
Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 16:45–17:45 | FfB | Alignment of Financial Flows with the GBF: from ambition to implementation | This event will build on the work of the Foundation’s Public Policy Advocacy working group in calling for greater ambition of governments in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework and aligning financial flows with its goals and targets. The panel aims to encourage dialogue with negotiators about the transition of economic sectors through strong policies, regulations and incentives to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Read more |
Day 08: Mon, 28 Oct | 12:15–14:00 | CBD | Closed session | |
Day 08: Mon, 28 Oct | 18:30-19:30 | Aviva | Nature with Aviva | Our holistic overview of why Aviva cares about nature and how it is being approached as an insurer and investor. |
Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 10:00–11:00 | Ceres, IIGCC, Planet Tracker, FfB | Implementing the Biodiversity Plan: Corporate Action on Nature Loss | At COP16, Nature Action 100 will release the results of the initiative’s first benchmark assessment of 100 companies in key sectors toward achieving the initiative’s Investor Expectations of Companies. Nature Action 100 partners investor participants will discuss where companies stand in their nature action and highlight opportunities for companies to accelerate their nature transition. This event will offer valuable insights into what steps investors and companies are taking to help meet Target 15 and how Nature Action 100 is helping to drive greater ambition on reducing nature loss. Read more |
Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 11:45-12:45 | WBA | From ambition to action: nature stewardship initiatives following COP15 | In this session, representatives from the World Benchmarking Alliances Nature CIC, PRI Spring, Nature Action 100 and Finance for Biodiversity will discuss their priorities, clarify how they relate to one another, reflect on challenges around ‘building the bridge while we’re crossing it’, and what’s needed to promote further effective engagement. Read more |
Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 13:00–14:00 | UNDP | Direct Access to Nature and Climate Finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: New Approaches to Financing and Upscaling Local Actions | Title: 'Direct Access to Nature and Climate Finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: New Approaches to Financing and Upscaling Local Actions'. This side event responds to announcements and pledges to increase access to nature and climate finance for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. In 2023, the GEF Council announced that 20% of the funds mobilised under the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) will be channelled directly to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The GBFF aspirational target builds on the earlier $1.7B pledge announced at the UNFCCC COP26 in 2021 with respect to IPs and LCs access to international climate finance. The panel will discuss progress on the direct access principles, operational modalities, and opportunities to increase local action through culturally appropriate financing at territorial or landscape scales. |
Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 14:30–15:30 | UNEP FI | Priority Actions for Insurance: Contributing to a Nature-Positive and Resilient Future | This session will provide an exclusive preview into the UNEP FI Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) Guidance on Priority Actions for Insurance to Contribute to a Nature-Positive and Resilient Future. The members of the PSI working group on nature will not only provide insights into the guidance for non-life and life & health insurers, but also participate in a panel discussion on how the guidance can effectively be put into practice. |
Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 15:45–16:45 | FfB | Target Setting on Nature workshop: perspectives and good practices | In this session, financial institutions will discuss how to set nature targets. The FfB Nature Target Setting Framework for Asset Managers and Owners will be presented, and investors will share their perspectives on how to implement the framework. |
Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 17:00–18:30 | IPDD, FSDA, High-Level Champions, Global Canopy, TFA, IIGCC, Storebrand AM | Bridging the gap: How effective policy can promote sustainable land use and mitigate deforestation | Stopping deforestation is at the heart of our response to the climate crisis because without the world’s great forests we have no hope of turning the tide. Action is needed at every level – from governments to commodity traders and the finance sector. There has been a drumbeat of increasing policy and standards demands action to tackle deforestation amidst strengthening policy signals and regulatory changes like the 2022 adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), recognition of the zero deforestation by 2030 goal in the Global Stocktake - a notable shift in the relevant regulatory environment is underway. Finance sector leaders, including the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), have underscored the urgency for the finance sector to address deforestation as a key part of mitigating financial risk and meeting their net-zero commitments. Furthermore, a robust and proliferating set of guidance, tools, and frameworks is aimed at expediting and enabling finance sector action at the intersection of climate and nature, including with regard to measuring and addressing deforestation risks. |
Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfB | Closed FfB members information session | |
Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 10:15–11:15 | FfB & NGFS | Central Banks and Supervisors actions on nature-related financial risks and transition planning | This panel, held in conjunction with NGFS, will provide a space for exchanging experiences on implementing nature-related financial regulations, bringing together interested parties for open dialogue. The panel will also highlight the need for ambition and transparency in nature transition planning, along with challenges and potential solutions. Read more |
Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 11:15–12:15 | FfB | Financial strategies and products for a positive impact on nature | This event will build on the work of the FfB Foundation’s Positive Impact working group in identifying how financial institutions can generate and support a positive impact on nature. It will focus on innovations and new models that contribute to nature positive outcomes. It will serve to identify solutions able to mobilise and scale public and private funding for nature, as per target 19 of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Read more |
Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 12:30–13:30 | NatureFinance, WWF, The Climate Champions Team | Ensuring a Nature Positive Future Through a Sustainable Bioeconomy | This session will explore how the bioeconomy can support a nature-positive future, showcasing the synergies between sustainable economic development and biodiversity conservation. It will emphasise that bioeconomy and nature-positive pathways are not conflicting strategies but must be carefully aligned to ensure that bioeconomy growth does not harm biodiversity. Without clear nature-positive pathways, the bioeconomy risks becoming a driver of environmental degradation rather than a force for good. The panel will highlight how countries, particularly G20 nations and other leading economies, can develop national-level bioeconomy strategies aligned with global biodiversity goals, such as those outlined in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Read more |
Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 14:00–15:00 | UNEP FI | Academics | |
Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 15:15–16:15 | FfB | FfB Pledge: Signatories & Good Practices | In this session we will announce our new Pledge signatories and showcase best practice examples from signatories that have already reported in line with the Pledge commitments. |
Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 16:30–17:30 | eco.business Fund | Pushing the Frontiers of Sustainable Finance | Join the eco.business Fund for a presentation and networking cocktail and explore innovative financing solutions that foster sustainable business practices and contribute to biodiversity conservation. The event will feature an introduction to the Fund and its partner KfW, followed by the signing of KfW’s $25 million investment in the eco.business Fund Sub-Saharan Africa. After this, we will delve into a discussion with Banco de Bogotá on investment support and capacity building activities. The event will conclude with an informal networking cocktail at the booth with the fund’s team and our partners. |
Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfB | Closed FfB members information session | |
Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 10:30–11:30 | UNDP | Driving Green Finance and Nature-Related Disclosures: Global Insights and the Role of Regulatory Leadership | The side event will explore how regulatory frameworks can promote green finance and enhance nature-related financial disclosures. Drawing on global insights and experiences from BIOFIN, Zambia’s Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bank of Botswana, and the Central Bank of Malaysia, the session will highlight key successes and challenges, focusing on how strategic partnerships can effectively help align financial systems with the Global Biodiversity Framework to address biodiversity loss. |
Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 12:00–13:00 | FfB | Forests Finance: a key solution against climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality | This event will focus on finance for forests, both to fight deforestation and to protect the integrity of their vital ecosystems. It will showcase the activities of leading organisations that demonstrate how finance plays a critical role in ensuring better practices. It will also promote concrete projects and mechanisms that can help to mobilise and scale finance for the conservation and restoration of forests. Read more |
Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 13:30–14:30 | UNDP | Media, Information, Training and Mobilization of Public Opinion in Favor of the Protection and Financing of Biodiversity Ecosystems and the Fight Against Climate Change | This side event has seven specific objectives: • Convert the media action currently guided by the critical spirit of defiance into a benevolent and positive movement of support; • Analyze all forms of support action that the media could carry out in favor of the preservation of biodiversity ecosystems: documentaries, news reports, testimonies, fiction, current affairs debates, awareness campaigns, fundraising, games, etc. • Present to the media the ideas of four impact projects identified within the framework of the Congo Basin Climate Commission to serve as a programmatic support point. These are: (i) Peasant forestry for the production of multiple-use wood by small private operators; (ii) Establishment of a sustainable management system for the exploitation of fisheries resources; (iii) Mobilization and capacity building of CSOs and community leaders in Congo Basin countries for the sustainable management of aquatic environments; (iv) Strengthening coffee and cocoa value chains; • Place media action at the heart of raising public awareness by setting up cooperation bridges for access to scientific and technical information, to best practices with a view to their dissemination and large-scale replication; • Establish a network of journalists committed to the preservation of ecosystems; • Network the media of developed and developing countries to promote the smooth flow of information, transparency and awareness of sometimes contradictory but always common issues; • Bring together and popularize the solutions of beneficiaries by raising funds for the financing of projects: • Present the results and impacts obtained, out of a duty of transparency; Harness the power of social networks to reach an audience on a global scale |
Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 15:00–16:00 | UNDP | Global ICCA Support Initiative Phase 2: funding to GBF Targets 3, 21, 22 and 23, and launch of new IUCN WCPA Guidelines on ICCAs Overlapped by Protected Areas | The side-event will present Phase 2 of the Global ICCA Support Initiative providing small grants to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in 50 countries in support to GBF Targets 3, 21, 22, and 23 (2023-2028). The event will also launch 'Recognising territories and areas conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs) overlapped by protected areas', the newest volume in the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas’ series of Good Practice Guidelines for Protected and Conserved Areas. |
Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 16:30-17:30 | Amazon Watch & Amazonian Women's Collective of Ecuador | Risks to Women Land Defenders: The Role of Financial Institutions and Safeguards | The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for respect for environmental human rights defenders, the rights of women and girls, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous women face significant risk in defending their rights and territories and biodiversity, by activities financed by financial institutions. Financial institutions, such as banks, investors, and insurance companies play a critical role in enabling, facilitating, or preventing such human rights violations. In this context, the discussion will gather Indigenous environmental and human rights defenders, who will share their experiences and the risks and impacts they face. It will focus on how financial institutions can take action to prevent and safeguard the rights of Indigenous women and girls. |
Day 12: Fri, 1 Nov | 08:00-12:00 | Savimbo, Rights of Nature NOW | Rights of Nature design workshop | Indigenous leaders teach the Rights of Nature. Format design workshop (with finger paint). In Spanglish. More info here! |