Description

Investments in natural capital face significant funding challenges. In 2022, financial flows dedicated to natural capital were estimated at $200 billion. These investments represent only 27% and 37% of the required annual investments of $542 billion and $737 billion, respectively, to meet the biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation neutrality targets by 2030 and 2050. This indicates a substantial financing gap of $342 billion to $537 billion. To close this gap, current investments in natural capital would need to increase by almost three to four times.

Given the central role of nature in sustaining life on earth and the substantial financing gap for nature, Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) has been increasingly utilized globally as a policy instrument to enhance investments in nature positive outcomes. Within this context, the webinar will focus on PES as a strategic tool for protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring natural resources, while also generating economic and social benefits and addressing the investment gap in nature. It will showcase PES initiatives in the Asia and the Pacific region and beyond, highlighting successful projects, lessons learned, and recommendations for effective implementation.

Objectives

The webinar aims to:

• enhance awareness and understanding of the importance of PES in promoting sustainable natural resource management and encouraging investment in nature finance; and
• share case studies, experiences, and lessons learned from successful initiatives on the effective and strategic use of PES to enhance sustainable natural resource management and bridge the funding shortfall in nature.

Target participants

The webinar invites representatives from the following organizations engaged in environment, natural resources, agriculture, and rural development:

• governments and intergovernmental organizations
• multilateral and bilateral development institutions
• private firms engaged in the agriculture and food business
• research and development institutions, think tanks, and centers of excellence
• NGOs, civil society and advocacy organizations, other individuals and organizations interested and/or engaged in agriculture and natural resources.

Resource speakers

• James Salzman, Donald Bren Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, University of California, Santa Barbara
• Adrian Vogl, Director of Research Impact & Lead Scientist, Natural Capital Project, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
• Jin Leshan, Professor, China Agricultural University

How to register

Register via Zoom to join online.

Costs

Participation in the webinar is free.

Event organizers / partners

Asian Development Bank in partnership with Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project