Green Finance Institute platform teaches industry nature-based solutions

By ESG Clarity

The Green Finance Institute has unveiled an online platform for the finance industry designed to provide education about investing in nature-based solutions.

GFI Hive explains how to increase private investment in nature restoration and nature-positive outcomes in and for the UK, presenting information in the form of podcasts, case studies and reports.  

With initial funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, GFI Hive will share technical knowledge and best practice on investing in nature and nature-based solutions to support the mobilisation of private capital into the sector and meet the UK’s net zero and nature-positive ambitions.

Rhian-Mari Thomas, CEO of the Green Finance Institute, said: “Financial institutions have recognised there is not only a demand, but also an opportunity for them to invest in the natural environment. Significant barriers need to be unlocked, however, if we hope to drive capital into nature restoration and nature-based solutions – not least a gap in knowledge.”

She added the platform will bring together the UK finance sector, government, business academia, land managers and other environmental stakeholders to come up with practical solutions following COP26 and COP15 this year.

The Finance Gap for UK Nature report, published in October 2021, highlighted the need for private investment in nature in addition to public sector funding and identified an estimated £44bn to £97bn funding gap requirement to meet the UK’s key nature-related goals over the next decade. These include natural flood management, transitioning agriculture to sustainable and regenerative processes, urban greening, reforestation, and peatland and marine habitat restoration.

Emma Howard Boyd, interim chair of the Green Finance Institute and chair of the Environment Agency, said: “COP26 left no doubt about the scale of action needed on the ground to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. With 450 financial institutions managing $130trn of assets committed to hitting net zero emissions targets by 2050, people want to understand how money can be invested in nature to drive down emissions, invest in climate adaptation and deliver a return at pace.

“GFI Hive will share information that helps investors see what actually works, as well as supporting innovative and high integrity pathways to driving private capital into nature, such as the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund, which the Environment Agency working with the GFI have successfully brought to market.”