Monday, October 21 - |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 IDB | Oceans Finance at Scale Oceans finance covers financial activities in mari and ocean industries. Key topics include: (i) Sustainable Ocean Finance: Investments promoting sustainable practices like eco-friendly shipping, renewable energy, and ocean conservation (Sustainable Ocean Plans, GBF); and (ii) Blue Economy Investments: Financial activities supporting sustainable ocean resource use for economic growth, including aquaculture, marine biotechnology, coastal tourism, and marine ecosystem restoration. MDB coordination is crucial for advancing Nature Positive Finance in the Blue Agenda. This event offers a platform for Finance in Common Summit (FICS) Ocean Coalition and experts like World Resources Institute (WRI) and Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) to share advancements. |
13:15 ¨C 14:30 AfDB | Indigenous Traditional Territories and Community Conserved Areas: Opportunities and Challenges to Meeting GBF Target 3 Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities manage or hold tenure rights over a significant percentage of terrestrial and marine areas with important biodiversity. Indigenous traditional territories (ITTs) and community conserved areas (CCAs) hold enormous potential for meeting the GBF¡¯s Target 3, especially if they can be legally recognized based on free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) without having to change their management and governance systems. To this end, this event will look at the opportunities and challenges associated with leveraging ITTs and CCAs, and other effective area-based conservation measures. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 AfDB | Understanding and enhancing the role of sustainable finance for Protected and Conserved Areas and Community Conservation Areas Protected and Conserved Areas and Community Conservation Areas offer substantial opportunities for benefit-sharing with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, although more needs to be done to improve the flow of funds to communities. An understanding and demonstration of the importance of sustainable financing for PCAs/CCAs for attaining the GBF is necessary. This event will highlight the latest technical guidance on the role of sustainable finance in achieving GBF targets 3, 18, and 19. The session will also consider how finance from all sources, domestic and international alongside sustainable finance solutions, needed by States, Protected Area Authorities, and the stewards of Indigenous Territories and CCAs can be scaled-up. |
Tuesday, October 22 - |
10:00 ¨C 11:00 AfDB | Valorization of Protected Areas for Ecotourism in Africa Today the African Development Bank is receiving more and more requests from countries for support to develop a type of tourism that is based on nature ¨C commonly called ¡°ecotourism¡±. This event will showcase the potential of ecotourism as a driver to achieve the SDGs when valorized. It will gather key public, non-governmental organizations and private sector stakeholders to discuss how nature-based ecotourism in national parks in Africa can contribute to developing the economies of rural areas and generate entry-level employment opportunities, as well as support management of the environmental impacts of tourism. |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 EIB, WB | Making Nature Count through Valuation and Natural Capital Accounting This session will highlight the importance of valuation and natural capital accounting to support integrated policies and decision-making, examine how natural capital accounting and valuation can help mainstream biodiversity into relevant strategies and plans, systematically integrate biodiversity into programs, policies, and projects, and promote sectoral, planning, and investment coordination. |
13:15 ¨C 14:30 EBRD, WB | Open Data for Biodiversity: Accelerating Monitoring and Action High-quality, accessible biodiversity data is critical to achieve the GBF goals. This session will discuss the importance of open data-sharing practices and fit-for-purpose data systems, along with the need for expanded national monitoring capacities. It will reflect on efforts to embrace innovative data tools, incorporate emerging practices into policy reforms, and make data more accessible, including via open-source platforms. Perspectives on data-sharing initiatives like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Data4Nature Initiative, and the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) will be shared, as well as regional and country views. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 WB, IFC, MIGA | Innovative Approaches for Mainstreaming Nature in Policies and Investments This session will discuss how biodiversity and ecosystem services are incorporated in the decision-making processes that shape investments and policies. As the world grapples with unprecedented environmental challenges, the need to integrate biodiversity and ecosystem service considerations into economic systems has never been more critical. This session will convene thought leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore innovative strategies for incorporating nature into policy processes and investment decisions. Discussions will focus on approaches to link the benefits of conservation and restoration to economic policy and investments in support of the planet's health and wealth for future generations. |
18:00 ¨C 19:15 ADB, IDB, WB | People, Planet, Prosperity Project: Mainstreaming Nature in Policy and Investment Decisions Integrating natural capital into policy and investment decisions is crucial for achieving sustainable development and safeguarding ecosystems. By incorporating natural capital into economic analysis, policymakers and businesses can make more informed decisions. This session will present key lessons from pilot studies in 16 countries across Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America, showcasing how natural capital approaches can inform economic policies and investments. A cross-MDB team, alongside Stanford University, will discuss scaling these approaches to meet both development and conservation objectives globally. In partnership with Stanford University. |
Wednesday, October 23 - |
10:00 ¨C 11:00 WB, CDB | Scaling up Restoration: Enhancing Ecosystems and Building Resilience This event will showcase examples of landscape restoration from Africa, Europe and Central Asia, and the Caribbean regions. The session will highlight how restoration can address global challenges such as land degradation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and climate change. The panel will explore the challenges countries face to scale up landscape restoration as well as discuss practical solutions, policy frameworks, and financing strategies that are being used in these countries. The session will share interventions that can be replicated across other regions to create long-lasting ecological and socioeconomic benefits and increase the resilience of local communities and ecosystems. |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 EIB | Financing Biodiversity Conservation in Infrastructure Projects Climate change and nature loss exacerbate one another and need to be tackled together. Transition planning presents a clear opportunity to bring solutions for both climate and nature. It makes scientific, business, and financial sense for companies and financial institutions to take an integrated approach to transition planning. This event will bring together representatives from the corporate and financial sectors. The speakers will showcase the latest progress made in integrating nature into climate transition planning to support the delivery of the Paris Agreement and discuss how they are aligning transition plans with the nature positive goals of the GBF. In partnership with WWF. |
13:15 ¨C 14:30 ADB, IDB | Nature in Transition Plans Historically infrastructure has been a major driver of biodiversity loss and environmental pollution. The world is still in need of significant infrastructure expansion to make electricity, drinking water, proper sanitation and access roads available to every individual globally. This will require about $1.5 trillion of investment every year till 2030. In this session speakers from national governments, MDBs, and NGOs will discuss opportunities to change the narrative and mobilize finance for biodiversity conservation through infrastructure projects. In partnership with WWF. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 WB | Deforestation Free Regulation: Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation and Challenges Ahead for Implementation The global expansion of commodities has led to significant biodiversity loss due largely to the expansion of agricultural land that is linked to the production of commodities like meat, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and their derived products such as leather, chocolate, charcoal, paper, furniture, and others. This event will discuss the opportunities environmental trade regulation such as the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) can bring to protect forest biodiversity and achieve targets of the GBF, as well as the challenges that producing countries (small producers), private operators, and others along value chains could face without proper systems in place. |
18:00 ¨C 19:15 WB, ADB | From Human-Wildlife Conflict to Coexistence: Exploring Solutions to a Challenge at the Nexus of Conservation and Development Human-wildlife conflict is an increasing development challenge and a major threat to big cats, elephants and other threatened species. Achieving coexistence, in line with Target 4 of the GBF, starts with people. This event will showcase how Indigenous Peoples and local communities are increasing the value of living with wildlife while reducing the costs. Diverse case studies will illustrate how landscape approaches and community-led conservation work together to recover iconic species, deliver local development outcomes, and promote coexistence between people and wildlife. In partnership with the GEF-financed, World Bank-led Global Wildlife Program, Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, Panthera, TRAFFIC, UNDP, Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF, and Zoological Society of London. |
Thursday, October 24- |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 ADB | Regional Flyways as a Mechanism to Scale Up Nature Positive Impact in Asia and the Pacific The ADB Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI) aims to enhance wetland protection along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. In partnership with EAAFP and BirdLife International, RFI is progressing towards mobilizing $3 billion over ten years. This success is inspiring similar programs for the Africa-Eurasia and Central Asian Flyways. In this event, BirdLife CEO Martin Harper will introduce the flyways, followed by a panel discussion on leveraging flyways for regional wetland and bird conservation, supporting livelihoods, and climate resilience. In partnership with BirdLife International. |
13:15 ¨C 14:30 AfDB, WB, EBRD | Accelerating Nature-based Solutions: Practical Challenges and Opportunities in Emerging Markets Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer an opportunity to cost-effectively enhance the resilience and adaptation of communities and key ecosystems to climate risks and provide a host of co-benefits for people and nature (particularly freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity). Critically, they can also improve the performance of built infrastructure, and can provide a low-carbon alternative and complement to traditional infrastructure investments ¨C which is essential to power economic growth and sustainable development. This event will showcase and discuss several ongoing initiatives to better understand these challenges and develop solutions to scale up adoption of NBS. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 IsDB | Mainstreaming Nature into Regional Agrifood Programs In 2022, in response to the polycrisis of COVID-19, food insecurity, and climate change, IsDB announced a $10.5 billion Food Security Response Program (FSRP). The FSRP aims to address acute food insecurity and build long-term resilience in local, national, and regional food security. Under the FSRP, IsDB is engaging in regional agrifood commodity value chain programs (e.g., cassava, wheat, millet, sorghum, and rice), particularly in West Africa, to increase food security, improve livelihoods, and enhance value chain resilience. These programs integrate natural resource enhancement and nature-based solutions. This event explores the importance of working with nature to support sustainable development and food security. |
IFC 18:00 ¨C 19:15 | Workshop and a Networking Event on IFC¡¯s Approach to Biodiversity Finance This event aims to introduce the private sector to IFC's innovative approach to biodiversity finance and explore opportunities for collaboration. In the first part of the event, our experts will present key insights from the IFC Reference Guide on Biodiversity Finance, highlighting successful investment projects and components that have demonstrated positive environmental and financial returns. In the second part, enjoy a networking reception to connect with like-minded professionals working in biodiversity finance and discuss emerging trends in the field. |
Friday, October 25 - |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 EBRD | The EU Nature Restoration Law: Implications for Nature Investment Opportunities The EU Nature Restoration Law aims to restore degraded ecosystems across the EU, targeting at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. In this event, panelists will discuss how different actors may respond and how MDBs and investors can engage in new opportunities for nature finance. The discussion will consider how the objectives are likely to be pursued in practice and expectations around the types of policies that will influence nature investment opportunities as a result of the law, to deliver the scale and speed needed for the law¡¯s ambitious nature restoration goals. |
13:15 ¨C 14:30 Joint MDB Event | Nature Finance: Defining and Tracking MDB Investments that Support Implementation of the GBF At UNFCCC COP-28 MDBs launched the MDB Common Principles for Tracking Nature Positive Finance. These principles are now guiding MDBs as the develop and pilot nature finance tracking systems in their respective institutions. In accordance with the WBG Nature Finance Tracking methodology, MDBs recognize the importance of broadly tracking nature finance to comprehensively count MDB investments that support implementation of the GBF. Join MDBs and other partners for an overview of the MDB Common Principles, examples of the range of MDB investments supporting the GBF, and a discussion of evolving concepts and approaches for tracking nature finance. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 WB | Innovative Technologies and AI for Nature Conservation: Re-imagining the Future Join us for an insightful session exploring the intersection of technology and nature conservation. This event will discuss a range of technologies that can be used to support the implementation of the GBF, from digital monitoring, reporting and verification, to AI, to camera traps and drones. Featuring a diverse lineup of speakers, this event aims to showcase how technology and AI can drive meaningful change in nature conservation on a global scale. The discussion will share insights on how technology is shaping the future of biodiversity conservation and how countries can bridge capacity gaps to ensure effective and inclusive adoption. In partnership with WILDLABS and the GEF-financed, World Bank-led Global Wildlife Program. |
18:00 ¨C 19:15 ADB | Progress and Barriers to Driving a Nature-Positive Renewable Energy Transition: Identifying Enabling Conditions and Policy Gaps Aligned with the GBF and UNFCCC, this session addresses the synergy between biodiversity and climate goals. At COP28, governments committed to tripling renewable capacity by 2030, emphasizing nature conservation. To achieve nature-positive, net-zero goals, we must mitigate renewables¡¯ biodiversity impacts. This session will explore multi-stakeholder efforts, challenges, and policy needs for integrating biodiversity into renewable energy projects, featuring insights from business, government, and NGOs. In partnership with BirdLife International and Convention on Migratory Species Secretariat. |
Monday, October 28- |
10:00 ¨C 11:00 WB, IDB | Advancing Direct Access to Climate Finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities As the global development community seeks to increase and enhance the mobilization of funds directly to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and local communities (LCs) given their role as critical partners for biodiversity conservation and climate action, this panel will explore the results and lessons from a diverse set of existing direct financing mechanisms. Each mechanism will present the nuts and bolts on the types of activities supported, how funds are mobilized, and results in regard to: (i) advancing IPs¡¯ and LCs¡¯ priorities; (ii) conservation and management achievements; and (iii) overcoming underlying structural issues related to land tenure, FPIC, governance, among others. Lessons and challenges will also be shared, aiming to help inform the future design of direct financing mechanisms for IPs and LCs. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy. |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 IsDB | A Blueprint for Green Finance at the Islamic Development Bank IsDB supports the Sustainable Development Goals, the Rio Conventions on biodiversity, climate change, and desertification, and is a signatory to the 2022 joint MDB statement on Nature, People and Planet. Building upon strong foundations ¨C including a Sustainable Finance Framework, a climate finance measurement and tracking system, the MDB Common Principles for Tracking Nature-Positive Finance, and membership of the MDB Working Group on Nature ¨C this session provides a soft launch of IsDB¡¯s Blueprint for Green Finance. The session will include discussion with leading stakeholders on green finance. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 EIB | Financing the GBF: Opportunities for Public-Private Finance A significant gap in biodiversity finance remains, despite a remarkable elevenfold increase in private finance flows into nature finance over the past four years. This event aims to explore the opportunities arising in the fast-growing nature finance sector and identify the barriers to scaling these efforts through public and private finance, ensuring we stay on track to meet the 2030 targets. Join a multi-stakeholder group of investors, banks, insurers, development finance institutions, and policymakers to discuss how to implement Target 19, bridging the finance gap, and advancing public-private partnerships. In partnership with WEF. |
18:00 ¨C 19:15 AIIB | Nature as Infrastructure: Building Resilient Economies Through Nature Finance Systems This event aims to build on the key ideas from AIIB's 2023 flagship report, "Nature as Infrastructure," using this transformative concept as a gateway to exploring nature markets. The discussion will focus on the role of MDBs in supporting client countries in developing essential nature finance operating systems. The event will focus on identifying the key elements needed to create a functional nature finance ecosystem, such as legislation, standards, taxonomy, tools, and data. It will also explore how MDBs can provide support to client countries to implement and operationalizing these systems effectively. In partnership with NatureFinance. |
Tuesday, October 29 - |
10:00 ¨C 11:00 IFC | Enhancing Forestry Value Chains: Private Sector Strategies for Biodiversity and Climate Commitments This session is focused on the intersection of forestry value chains, biodiversity, and climate commitments. The event will highlight how leading private sector companies are incorporating biodiversity strategies to enhance their operations and meet sustainability targets. It will feature a discussion with IFC's existing clients, who are implementing sustainability-linked KPIs and biodiversity-focused projects. |
13:15 ¨C 14:30 EIB, WB, IDB | Bending the Curve of Nature Loss: Understanding Nature-related Financial Risks and their Implications for Risk Managers The accelerating global decline of nature goes hand in hand with the growing nature-related financial risks. The session will convene actors from the financial sector, including central banks and financial regulators, as well as development partners to showcase the latest progress in the assessment and management of nature-related risks. The panel will discuss the latest tools and methodologies and explore tangible examples of how different types of financial institutions are rising to the challenge, and what could be done to accelerate the mainstreaming of nature into financial decision-making and turn risks into investment opportunities. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 WBG | The Global Challenge Program on Forests: Scaling Public and Private Sector Investments for Development, Climate, and Biodiversity This event will discuss how development finance ¨C public, private, and risk mitigation ¨C can be brought together to address challenges and catalyze an enhanced financing stream for forest investment. You will hear from Senior Management of the World Bank Group on how this vision can be realized, what initiatives are currently being developed, and the opportunities for countries, private investors, and financial institutions to invest in sustainable forest management for development, climate mitigation and resilience, and biodiversity conservation. They will be joined by panelists from Congo Basin countries as well as private sector investors. |
18:00 ¨C 19:15 ADB, EBRD | Protecting Biodiversity Through Environment Safeguards: Insights from ADB and EBRD This session, moderated by Henrik Linders, MD for Environment and Sustainability at EBRD, will share insights on the evolving Biodiversity Standards for development banks including ADB¡¯s ESF and EBRD¡¯s ESP. Speakers from EBRD, ADB, WWF, GBIF, The Biodiversity Consultancy (TBC) and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) will discuss these frameworks, how they can deliver against GBF Targets, and how further tools, partnerships, and guidance can further enhance and strengthen implementation. Closing thoughts will also be provided from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures on the need for enhanced impacts and dependencies disclosures and how this can align with MDB requirements. |
Wednesday, October 30 - |
10:00 ¨C 11:00 MIGA | Derisking for Nature: Deploying Guarantees to Unlock Investment in Nature Mobilizing private capital is vital for development of sectors that have traditionally been underfunded and have relied on public funding and management, such as those focused on nature. Guarantees can be used to address political and regulatory risks, and unfavorable credit terms associated with investments in nature, making them an invaluable tool for private and public market players pursuing the GBF goals in emerging markets. Join leaders from MDBs and partners as we explore the types of guarantee services applicable to investments in nature and climate adaptation. In partnership with UNEP FI and others. |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 WB | Mobilizing Domestic and International Resources for Climate and Biodiversity Tropical forests store up to one quarter of carbon and are home to 50% of global biodiversity. Yet, these forests remain underfunded. Moreover, both public and private sector players have a very limited understanding as to how existing funds can be mobilized and matched with underlying needs. This session will explore the various approaches that have been developed to mobilize domestic and international funding to address a range of issues pertaining to nature-based solutions ¨C featuring country- and sector-specific innovations and drawing on discussions held at the environment and finance tracks of the Brazil G20. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 IFC, WB | Regenerating Nature and Generating Local Livelihoods: Benefit Sharing Across Stakeholders Nature¡¯s best guardians are people who have a direct stake in the long-term health and viability of land, water, forests, and animals. How can we design regenerative bio-economies and resilient natural resource companies without including women, youth, and Indigenous leaders in the design of production processes that will support people on a livable planet? Join us to explore what is working, where we need to do better, and how to engage communities in design and decisions that affect them. |
18:00 ¨C 19:15 EIB, AIIB, WB, IDB | How Nature and Carbon Markets Can Foster the Protection and Restoration of Natural Ecosystems A range of new carbon and nature markets are emerging across the global economy as frameworks in the fight against climate change and addressing the loss of biodiversity. These markets can contribute to scaling up financing and incentives needed for businesses and economies to better align with the GBF and the Paris Agreement. This event will discuss the opportunities and challenges for financial institutions and corporates posed by these rapidly developing markets to drive climate action, foster the protection and restoration of ecosystems, and secure the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. |
Thursday, October 31- |
10:00 ¨C 11:00 IsDB | Exploring Finance Synergies for the Three Rio Conventions There is growing recognition of the need for synergy across the three Rio Conventions to support biodiversity, climate change, and desertification. CBD COP16, the first of three Rio Convention COPs in 2024, offers a chance to promote better coordination in this critical decade requiring integrated actions. Despite momentum, significant financing gaps remain across all three Conventions. This session will discuss synergies and how current policy momentum may be translated into enhanced public, private, and alternative finance, with an emphasis on biodiversity. The event will also highlight the crossover between nature and the UNCCD COP16 in December 2024. |
11:30 ¨C 12:45 IDB | Finance in Common ¨C Financial Innovation Lab: Accelerating Innovative Solutions Public development banks (PDBs) are uniquely positioned to address local obstacles to scaling climate finance in emerging markets and developing economies, but new innovative solutions tailored to PDBs are needed to deliver the quantity and quality of financing required. This session will highlight the work of the Finance in Common Summit (FICS) Lab, featuring representatives from leading PDBs in a discussion about how greater coordination can accelerate the implementation of innovative financial instruments. The FICS Lab Secretariat will also launch the inaugural incubation cycle, where selected projects from PDBs will receive financial and technical support to bring solutions to pilot. |
13:15 ¨C 14:30 IDB | Innovative Sovereign Financial Instruments for Biodiversity Private capital will play a key role in closing the biodiversity financing gap and credit enhancements are crucial for private capital mobilization. The objective of this session is to present alternative credit enhancement models and a set of principles for the deployment of credit enhancement for sustainability-linked financing, developed by the Task Force on Sustainability-Linked Sovereign Financing for Nature and Climate established at COP28. Recent debt for nature conversions will be presented. Lessons learned and ways forward to enhance ambition and scale-up debt for nature conversions will be discussed. |
16:00 ¨C 17:15 EBRD, AIIB, IDB | Natural Capital Valuation: Use Cases for Decision Making and Investment A key challenge preventing financial institutions from pricing nature-related risks and opportunities into project assessments is that these are highly localized and context dependent. MDBs are working together to tackle this problem. EBRD and AIIB have worked with the consultancy, Arcadis, to develop a natural capital valuation (NCV) approach, incorporating both existing and emerging nature tools and frameworks. IDB has also developed and implemented its own approach to NCV. Via presentations and discussions, this event will reflect on NCV pilot studies to date, share lessons learned, and explore areas for development, collaboration, and mainstreaming of NCV approaches. |
18:00 ¨C 19:15 EBRD | Reporting against GBF Target 15: What Biodiversity Measurement Approaches Can Help Public Development Banks? This event will discuss the lessons learned from a comparative study of 6 biodiversity measurement approaches (also called "metrics") applied to a sample of 9 EBRD and AFD projects. The panelists will discuss the different results produced by different metrics on a sample of Public Development Bank projects. It will explore what can be done depending on whether the banks have general data on the projects or more detailed, particularly spatialized data. The discussion will also cover the skills bank staff need and the accessibility difficulties that could be anticipated. Additionally, it will address lessons learned for reporting under the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures¡¯ guidelines, all based on concrete case studies. |
