Location: Canadian Pavilion – Blue Zone
Opening Remarks: Catherine Stewart, Climate Change Ambassador
Panelists:
- Jane Hutchinson, Co-CEO, Pollination Foundation, Moderator
- Lori Kerr, CEO, FinDev Canada
- Christopher Marks, Managing Director, MUFG
- Andrew Vasila, Senior Investment Analyst: ESG & Global Fixed Income, Mackenzie Investments
- Richard Manley, Chief Sustainability Officer, CPPIB
Description of the panel:
The interconnectedness of the Paris Agreement, the SDG Agenda, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework points to the urgent need for integrated solutions. Sustainable infrastructure can play a critical role in linking challenges in support of development and climate outcomes that are net-zero and nature-positive. In order to improve practice, we need to better understand the climate and biodiversity risks and opportunities in infrastructure investments and the value that natural capital can create for potential investors. This event brings together the perspectives from nature conservationists and public and private climate financiers to highlight the opportunities for increased investment in biodiversity and climate-friendly infrastructure in emerging markets and developing economies. This includes a better understanding of the incentives and risks for both public and private investors as they relate to climate and biodiversity; a closer look at the financial tools needed to accelerate investment such as concessional finance and blended finance solutions; the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and rethinking partnerships to advance dual agendas of climate action and halting of biodiversity loss; and continued support for stronger enabling environments that can advance effective and complementary policy and regulatory frameworks.
Expected Outcomes:
- Demonstrate the role of sustainable infrastructure in advancing net-zero and nature-positive solutions.
- Advance discussion on the incentives and barriers to private investment in nature and climate finance sustainable infrastructure in emerging markets and developing countries.
- Demonstrate the need for increased availability and accessibility to concessional finance to advance climate and nature.