The Iris Project’s Post

🌱 $DLMI & Evertreen: Pioneering a Greener Future in Finance 🌱 In a groundbreaking move, Diamond Lake Minerals ($DLMI) has partnered with #Evertreen, embarking on a visionary project that seamlessly integrates the world of finance with environmental stewardship. This collaboration signals a monumental shift towards sustainable practices, highlighting DLMI's commitment to ecological leadership and corporate responsibility. At the heart of this partnership is a shared dedication to environmental conservation, exemplified by DLMI's initiative to plant 500 mangrove trees in Kenya. These trees, known for their unique ecological benefits, represent just the beginning of a larger campaign aimed at planting millions of trees over the next decade. This effort not only contributes to significant CO2 absorption but also aligns with various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, underpinning DLMI's ethos of integrating ethical business practices with technological innovation. The initiative has garnered strong support from a panel of experts and advisors, including industry leaders like William Michael Reynolds, Jon Karas, Agnes Budzyn, Richard Hawkins, Robert L. Hymers III CPA, Gary Zlobinskiy, larry namer, Brandon Fugal, Michael J. Malik Sr, Anthony Scaramucci, Andrew Fromm, Marty Pompadur, David Meltzer, and Raul Leal. Their diverse expertise and unified commitment to a sustainable future greatly bolster this endeavor. Brian J. Esposito, CEO of Diamond Lake Minerals, passionately asserts, "We are committed to using DLMI's influence and resources to bring attention to deforestation and support impactful initiatives like Evertreen's." This partnership between Diamond Lake Minerals and Evertreen is more than just tree planting; it's a narrative of hope, action, and leadership. It demonstrates the crucial role businesses play in environmental conservation and sets a precedent for integrating environmental responsibility into core business values. As DLMI continues to innovate in the financial sector, its commitment to our planet's health remains a guiding principle. Join us in celebrating this inspiring journey towards a greener, more sustainable future, where finance and environmental care coexist harmoniously. Thank you to Austin DeNoce for writing this great article, you can read it in the comments to learn more. #DLMI #Evertreen #Sustainability #GreenFinance #EnvironmentalConservation #Innovation #TreePlanting #EcoFriendlyInitiatives

The talented MORFO team has released its first white paper, *The Future of Reforestation Carbon Credits: Prioritizing biodiversity and socioeconomic benefits for effective carbon sequestration*. Timely! Circa 1 billion hectares must be reforested by 2030 and while funding needs for high-quality reforestation projects are huge, development dividends for this type of project can be significant. At the same time as the need and opportunity are so great, there have been considerable challenges in this space. MORFO, a large-scale forest ecosystem restoration service focused on and based in topical and subtropical areas, has consulted numerous experts to help seek solutions for accelerating the reforestation funding process. Do check out this valuable contribution from a dynamic team who recently won the good4nature prize at the Summit of Minds! Congrats Pascal Asselin, Quentin Franque, Lorie Louque and colleagues 👏👏 Download the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/e3QnTmjq And read the interviews behind the paper with myself, Dr. Sonja Stuchtey and others here: https://lnkd.in/ehPKxpTe #naturebasedsolutions #voluntarycarbonmarket #redd #sustainablefinance #indigenouspeoples #naturefinance United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) The Landbanking Group UN-REDD Programme Katy Baker Ivo Mulder Gaurav Gupta Aurélia Blin Nathalie Olsen

💡 Interested in knowing how IWMI involves informed and engaged citizens to drive environmental stewardship? Check out our recent blog showcasing a citizen science demonstration in Ghana. It's a compelling example of how citizen science empowers communities to tackle complex environmental challenges and build a sustainable future. ▶️ on.cgiar.org/3Q3tQUe Andoh Kwaku Amponsah, Gerald Atampugre, Olufunke Cofie

This looks like a useful resource for anyone interested in nature finance #natureiseveryonesbusiness #sustainablefinance #nature #responsibleinvestment

💦 Regen Projects x Two Bays Bio-region The idea of partnering with Nature may at first seem strange, but when you hear the stories of First Nations Elders, western Economists and environmental Scientists all saying similar things, it becomes the only sensible thing to do. How does this practically align with our business strategy and environmental commitments? ✅ Governance - #BCorp – Constitution purpose and stakeholder governance requirement and Declaration of Interdependence ✅ Local Impact Investment - 1% for the Planet business member – Annual contributions to grassroots orgs working within the Two Bays bio-region ✅ Global Action - UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration partner actor – Working across a range of initiatives from advocacy to education programs and regen projects ✅ Global Policy – UN Global Biodiversity Framework – Target 15 Regional Policy - Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy partner organisation ✅ Local Collective Impact – Regen Melbourne alliance member ✅ Local First Nations – Boonwurrung Land & Sea Council partnership 👉🏼 If you wish to learn how to ‘Business with Nature’, we are hosting a 101 regen workshop that will give professionals working in different sectors the opportunity to learn from successful nature-based investment projects. It's about putting Nature at the heart of decision-making. By growing our ecological literacy, we can start to work with Nature as a partner and harness her restorative potential. 🖊️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/g9Ue3Eim #businesswithnature #partnerships #undecade #ecosystemrestoriation #naturelaw #beyondsustainability #regenerativebusines

📣 New resource hub from UNPRI launched 📈 Nature has been steadily rising in the investors’ agenda, especially after the signing of the Global Biodiversity Framework. 📜 Over the last couple of years, different initiatives have been established to provide guidance and support for investor action on nature. In their newly launched resource, hub, UNPRI gathered information about the key initiatives, networks and organisations in this space, including: 🟢 Aligning Accounting Approaches for Nature (Align) 🟢 BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative 🟢 CDC Biodiversité's Post (Business for Positive Biodiversity Club (B4B Club)) 🟢 Capitals Coalition 🟢 Coalition for Private Investment in Conservation (CPIC) 🟢 FAIRR Initiative 🟢 Finance for Biodiversity 🟢 Finance@Biodiversity Community (F@B) under the EU Business@Biodiversity Platform 🟢 Investor Policy Dialogue on Deforestation (IPDD) 🟢 Land Use and Climate Working Group 🟢 Nature Action 100 🟢 Nature Positive Initiative 🟢 NatureFinance 🟢 Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF) 🟢 Science Based Targets Network 🟢 Spring 🟢 Sustainable Finance Initiative 🟢 Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) 🟢 Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) 🟢 De Vereniging van Beleggers voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling (VBDO) Click here to explore the resource hub ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e5G34Je7  #NatureFinance #NatureInvestment #NatureRisk #BiodiversityLoss

The Mai Ndombe REDD Project protects 300,000 hectares of critical bonobo and forest elephant habitat within the world’s second-largest intact rainforest and some of the most important wetlands on the planet, the Congo Basin. This project reduces the principal drivers of forest and biodiversity loss and drives direct investments to the surrounding local communities, which are among the most economically marginalized in the world. Such investments include building and renovating schools, improving access to healthcare services (such as through access to immunizations), strengthening food security (such as through agricultural diversification and fishponds), and co-creating sustainable economic opportunities. https://lnkd.in/e9SA37jj

🌿 New case studies report 🌍 In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition within the industry that companies must now strive not only to tackle impacts on #biodiversity on site, but also to contribute to #conservationgoals beyond their operational footprint within their land- and sea-holdings. A new report compiles 28 industry case studies from leading companies on their actions in their non-operational lands and seas. It showcases their policies, commitments and capacity to contribute to achieving #globalbiodiversitytargets. Find out more about these initiatives 👉 https://lnkd.in/eixa85we #conservation #landscapeapproach #seascapeapproach #biodiversity #mitigationhierarchy #target15 #IUCN #stakeholderengagement #GBF

The burgeoning interest in natural capital and conservation finance signifies a pivotal shift in global investment paradigms. Safeguarding biodiversity while capitalising on the economic potential of natural resources requires robust and innovative financial mechanisms. This shift is particularly pertinent in the Canadian context, where the intersection of vast natural capital and diverse stakeholder interests, including Indigenous communities, demands a nuanced approach to conservation finance. Drawing on insights from recent articles and the comprehensive report by Rally Assets and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, it's evident that the mobilisation of private capital is essential. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's ambitious targets and the significant biodiversity funding gap highlight the urgency for action. For Canada, this means leveraging innovative financial models, such as green bonds, outcome-based financing, and blended finance structures, to attract diverse investment sources. Investors, both domestic and international, must recognise the dual benefit of conservation finance: preserving biodiversity and creating sustainable economic returns. Mechanisms like the Wildlife Conservation Bond, which ties financial returns to conservation outcomes, exemplify how financial products can be designed to incentivise positive environmental impact. The integration of Indigenous knowledge and stewardship, as seen in the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and Guardian Programs, highlights the critical role of Indigenous communities in achieving sustainable conservation outcomes. As investor awareness grows, so too must the commitment to innovative, transparent, and impactful financial products. The success of initiatives like Ocean 14 Capital's blue economy fund and GoodCarbon's nature-based carbon credit platform illustrates the transformative potential of aligning financial incentives with conservation goals. The Canadian context, with its unique challenges and opportunities, stands to benefit immensely from such forward-thinking approaches. The rising tide of investor interest in natural capital is promising for biodiversity conservation. By embracing a multi-faceted approach that includes rigorous measurement, Indigenous engagement, and innovative financial products, Canada can meet its conservation targets and set a global standard for conservation finance.