In 2023 the ‘Siggen Seminar’ focussed on private finance to unlock and drive nature restoration at scale.
Parks unlocked; Innovative Financing to Transform Parks across Europe.
Between 20 and 22 March, 12 delegates from 10 different countries across Europe attended the seminar. They took a deep dive into models that attract private finance to unlock and drive nature restoration at scale. In particular, looking at the role Parks can play in building the market for investing in Europe’s natural capital. Let’s ensure Parks across Europe are investable and can take advantage of that Billion EURO opportunity!
Our natural infrastructure needs significant investment to address the climate crisis. But currently, a chasm of incomprehension and scale exists between the financiers and conservationists. James Stuart, board member of Lake District National Park
The participants examined real-life, real-time examples from across Europe, identifying needs, opportunities, priorities and challenges from Protected Areas and managing perspective to attract investment. During the seminar, they engaged in a collective dialogue where they together looked at the current context, in order to transform ideas into specific actions needed to achieve the 30% target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
The following presentations informed the discussions:
- Portugal North Region – Alexandra Duborjal Cabral, Head of Territorial Planning Department at the Coordination Commission for the Development of Portugal North Region and Rui Pedro de Almeida Ribeiro, Director of Ecosystem Services and Carbon Markets at Ceiia.
- National Parks partnership – Naomi Conway, Director of Revere.
- Building blocks to unlock innovative financing for nature – Guided by Emma Davies, Andrew Sutherland and Ross Powell, from the Palladium team.
- Carbon Finance – Will Close-Brooks, Director of Business Department at RESPIRA.
- Process to monetise ecosystem services – Felix Romero, Director General of Natural Environment and Biodiversity at Castilla La Mancha Region – Spain.
- Environmental investments – Mariana Sarmiento, CEO of Terrasos.
- A model to unlock funding for restoration in Protected Areas – Carol Ritchie, EUROPARC Executive Director.
Relevant presentations can be downloaded below.
At the end of the seminar, all participants also agreed to develop a joint statement, which stresses the need for the Protected Area community to become “investment ready”. It highlights the urgency of creating a shared vision to turn nature restoration projects into investable business models in order to access private finance from the ethical and green investment sector.
The seminar was a successful initiative and we would like to take this opportunity to thank again all participants to the seminar, but in particular to express our gratitude for the expertise, dedication and passion of the Palladium Team: Emma Davies, Andrew Sutherland and Ross Powell. A special thank you goes to James Stuart for his kind support and precious help in pulling the different parts of this event together.
