“Net Zero” is a term now used frequently in the discussion of environmental, energy, transport and other policies. In addition to “net zero” there is a need to reduce biodiversity loss, improve the environment and in places “recover” nature. The debate often touches on the potential costs of the interventions needed as well as costs of not doing anything. These costs are arising in the food, energy, transport and other sectors, all of which are already challenged now and contribute to a large extent to what is called the “cost of living crisis”.

Government and voluntary organisations are often named as those who need to mobilise the necessary funding. But the private sector also has an important role to play. As  extreme weather events affect the economy, the insurance industry for example will be more and more interested in measures taken by those it insures to reduce this risk. This is just one example, beginning to illustrate the role of the financial sector during a green transition.

During this event we discussed with leading experts in the area what the role of the financial sector can be / should be or already is in addressing the challenges ahead.

Ece Ozdemiroglu is the founder and CEO of eftec established in 1992. She is an environmental economist who worked on demonstrating the economic value of nature for the markets and beyond. Initially she worked mostly for public sector clients but in the last five years or so investors, asset managers and corporations have been seeking her advice. She uses economic value evidence to demonstrate what financial and other returns can be expected from green finance.

David Young  is Senior Fellow at the Broadway Initiative and the lead author of the Recommendations and Roadmap of the Financing Nature Recovery UK initiative. With over 30 years of national and international experience, David is a specialist in the integration of environmental, legal and economic principles into effective market design and regulation.

The event was chaired by Ulrike Hotopp, Live Economics.

This event was for members - if you are interested in attending future events or learning more email admin@spe.org.uk