Finance Earth’s Post

Our recent collaborative report with Irish Environmental Network on Funding #NatureRestoration in Ireland includes a recommendation to develop new ways of blending private finance for restoration in order to expand on, accelerate and scale up existing publicly-funded pilot projects which are making strides for nature. https://lnkd.in/eZ2MnsR4 So we are watching with interest as new global models emerge to harness the impact of blended finance for nature. The #DarwinFund is a newly launched $100m grant and blended finance fund that applies planetary computing, conservation science and Indigenous knowledge to amplify, accelerate and scale the best conservation and restoration projects from around the world. The California-based initiative is bringing together buyers, sellers and market makers to unlock global institutional investment in nature. The team promise 'forensically deployed grant funding and debt finance' to enable 'high-integrity projects' based on the 'best-available science'that 'leverage-in many multiples of investment to deliver sustainability, scale and replicability'. The 2025 funding application process is now open, accessible via the website: www.darwinfund.org

🌳 💰 Is the private financing of #rewilding a threat to community empowerment? Enjoyed writing for Community Land Scotland on the risks for #NatureRecovery delivering truly integrated and #transformative social, ecological, and climate benefits. ✨ Blog post: https://lnkd.in/eEx2Bvxz As the urgency to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis grows, private financing is increasingly sought after to support nature recovery projects like rewilding. In Scotland, the government aims to address the £20.4 billion “nature-finance gap” by publishing its Natural Capital Markets Framework, offering guidance and regulatory interventions to develop responsible private investment in natural capital. However, while private financing is essential for upscaling nature recovery efforts, it also raises valid concerns. The over-emphasis on financial returns risks undermining alternative funding models and socio-economic goals, including community empowerment. Prioritising private mechanisms can undermine progress towards delivering community benefits alongside climate and biodiversity objectives, which can (further) marginalise community voices in collective land management and democratic decision-making. I raise some potential issues and risks, and suggest some constructive solutions and ways forwards... 🔎 A longer post, exploring more details, is here: https://lnkd.in/etm2Cm5U

🌿 One week left to apply! 🌿 Call for Projects: Freshwater Ecosystems Conservation in the Mediterranean The Donors' Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems is now accepting project proposals for 2024! This collaborative fund is dedicated to conserving and restoring freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean, including rivers, lakes, marshes, and peatlands. 🔹 Key Themes: - Conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems & biodiversity - Sustainable water resource management - Development of sustainable financing mechanisms 💡 Projects can include innovative approaches like nature-based solutions, payment for ecosystem services, and traditional water management practices. 🔹 Project Support: €100,000 to €500,000 🔹 Application Deadline: 15 October 2024 🔹 Eligible Applicants: NGOs, local authorities, municipalities, small companies, and scientific institutions in the Mediterranean basin. For more information: https://lnkd.in/dwU_zs4M Submit your project proposal by October 15, 2024, to dimfe@fpa2.org and help protect the future of Mediterranean freshwater ecosystems! #FreshwaterConservation #DIMFE #MediterraneanEcosystems #CallForProjects #EnvironmentalGrants

📢 Funding Alert! 📢 All projects need a launch pad - Funds are being made available for projects which combine both Climate AND Biodiversity action The new WALD Innovation Facility has just released its first “Call for Concepts” where a project summary can be used to apply for funding from EUR 750,000 to EUR 1.5 million and for up to two years. They must implement restoration activities on the ground, including community development and activities that lead to registration with a carbon standard to attract further finance. They should see and use the funding as a springboard, and continue activities after the support period has culminated. Here’s the deadline: Project proposals must be submitted by Thursday 13 February 2025 at 17:00 (5pm) Central European Time (CET). For more details 👉https://ow.ly/lvzv50Urwif #ClimateFinance #NatureFinance

Very positive conversation this morning with Lord Rupert Redesdale at the UK House of Lords. We discussed all things nature recovery and how we can undertake exemplar projects in Northumberland to collaborate with farmers to ensure they generate a significant economic return from creating and improving habitats under their stewardship. It is easy to be passionate about nature. It is harder to demonstrate the business case for investing in it's recovery. We have a £56 billion funding gap in the UK to meet our nature recovery targets and we need the experience and knowledge of individuals like Lord Rupert Redesdale to ensure we can achieve our ambitious goals.

How I wish the powers that be within the work of Ecological Restoration, Reforestation, Greening Initiatives and all the work being done by locally owned organisations and local communities on the ground, could understand that any disturbance in funding and support mechanisms directly impacts the livelihoods of the people on the ground. There is often a disconnect between the realities on the ground and the offices where resources come from. Local municipalities and national governments' support is always filled with red tape and long processes. This system is not built for this kind of work, which is often misunderstood. We don't even know where we fit in for funding. Local funds are not supporting these projects due to financial constraints and complex processes. If you're reading this, think about the locally owned organisations and enterprises that depend on these resources. With steady long-term support, we can have very successful projects. The work we do is crucial, and with the right support, we can achieve great things for our communities and environment. #EcologicalRestoration #Reforestation #GreeningInitiatives #LocalCommunities #SustainableFunding #EnvironmentalSupport #CommunityProjects #GreenEconomy #LocalOrganisations #EcologicalImpact #EnvironmentalJustice #SupportLocal #SustainableFuture

A £250k boost for nature recovery 🌱 Projects for Nature is an online platform developed through a public/private partnership involving the Council for Sustainable Business, Accenture, Crowdfunder UK, Wildlife and Countryside Link, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency and Natural England. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is a founding business partner of Projects for Nature and the first utility company to support the pioneering initiative, which accelerates nature recovery by connecting businesses with screened nature restoration projects. Supporting two projects, SSEN’s commitment of £250k will enable Heal Rewilding in Somerset to install deer fencing which will protect returning saplings, scrub plants and native flora. 🌿 The funding will also help the Freshwater Habitats Trust to support wetland species and climate resilience by rewetting vulnerable alkaline fen in Oxfordshire. 💧 In a new blog, Chairperson for Projects for Nature, Justin Francis, explains the important impact this funding will have on nature recovery, supporting England’s growing Nature Recovery Network. Read his blog here: https://lnkd.in/en2P_gVZ. If you’re a business that wants to get involved, search ‘Projects for Nature’. #NatureRecoveryNetwork #CorporateResponsibility #Biodiversity #Environment

‼️Did you know that Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world? On Wednesday, our Bristol team attended an exclusive screening of the new WONDEROOM film titled ‘Sea, Land & City' at Watershed, hosted by Triodos Bank 🎬 The film showcases four inspiring nature restoration projects in the South West of England. A particular favourite of the Greenhouse team was the floating ecosystems that increase biodiversity and support cleaner waterways in the Bristol Harbour. Beyond showcasing these innovative projects, the documentary sought to highlight the theme of nature finance, which was explored further during a panel discussion with Mairead Cahill, Simon Crichton, Helen Avery and Roger Hoare. Some standout insights from the panel include: - 50% of GDP in Britain depends on our nature, underscoring the necessity to protect it for the future. - Public finance investments are not enough to achieve this; we must close the nature finance gap by mobilising private investment across business. - Storytelling is essential to achieve this, from both an investment and buyer perspective, and of course we couldn’t agree more! It is vital to tell a visceral and engaging story of nature based solutions to business leaders in order to mobilise motivation that goes beyond statistic led decision making. You can watch the full film on WaterBear Network here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ehW26yA9 Rubber Republic, Oxygen Conservation, Blue Marine Foundation, Matt Golding, Ellen Harrison, Ed Grattan, Amy Robinson, Ellie James, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Ellena Steers, Hannah Stott, Emma Peddie, Ellen Fay, Savita Willmott, Helen Bell, Evangeline Edwards, Evie Boyer.

Today, Terraspect released the first comprehensive toolkit on ensuring that carbon finance delivers its intended benefits to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. I am proud to have contributed to the whitepaper From Co-Benefits to Core-Benefits: How to Ensure Carbon Finance is Fairly and Transparently Delivered. Key recommendations include: 💵 Direct payments to communities over in-kind benefits, allowing for self-determination. 🖊️ Due diligence on compensation plans, covering community engagement, management, and regional context. ✅ Standardisation and regulation to ensure best practices across projects. To access the guide 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5NVW6zJ

There are some exciting opportunities for sustainable projects! The USDA Forest Service is offering $34 million in funding for groundbreaking projects in wood innovation, community wood initiatives, and infrastructure assistance. For more details on eligibility visit: https://lnkd.in/gG3UMUcZ