Unleashing Financing for Natural Climate Solutions: An Opportunity for Impact and Financial Returns

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Mobilizing private capital through blended finance can unleash both economic and environmental opportunities in sustainable landscapes. In particular, forest conservation, deforestation prevention, reforestation, and forest landscape restoration are among our most powerful natural climate solutions to limit global warming. Forest landscapes are also an essential source of energy, food security, shelter, and livelihoods for over two billion people and are home to over 80% of the world’s biodiversity. Thus, forest landscapes present huge economic opportunities for commercial and financial investors. In fact, the Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s report estimated that forest ecosystem services are specifically worth US$365 billion and new food and agriculture systems could potentially be worth $2.3 trillion by 2030. 

The webinar, Unleashing Financing for Natural Climate Solutions: An Opportunity for Impact and Financial Returns, will look at the diverse business models, asset classes, and trends across revenue models in this space. Speakers will also address the challenges to scaling these business models while diving into several forestry examples, including the recent USAID-supported Amazon Biodiversity Fund (ABF). Speakers will also offer recommendations on strategies for donors and implementing partners working on both finance and environmental programs.

Opening Remarks:

Olaf Zerbock, Forestry and Biodiversity Advisor, USAID

Panel Moderator:

Claire B. Zuazo, Director, Environment and Natural Resources, Chemonics International

Panelists:

• Serena Guarnaschelli, Partner, KOIS
• Greg Snyders, Partner, Dalberg
• Anna Toness, Sustainable Economic Growth Office Director, USAID/Malawi (Previously USAID/Brazil Environment Office Director)

Co-hosted by Chemonics' Center for Private Sector Engagement