Since the last Building Bridges conference, the urgency to align global finance with nature-positive outcomes has only intensified. In 2024, the stakes were higher than ever as the world grappled with escalating biodiversity loss, the risks of breaching 1.5°C warming, and an economy still dependent on activities that harm ecosystems. Nearly $7 trillion continues to flow annually into nature-negative activities, underscoring the pressing need for systemic change.
NatureFinance continued to advance transformative workstreams, including efforts to effectively measure, manage, and report on nature-related risks, pivot funding toward livelihoods and nature protection through unconventional actions in a world already breaching 1.5°C, and position the bioeconomy as a key driver of sustainable economic growth.
At Building Bridges 2024, held from 9th to 12th December in Geneva, Switzerland, NatureFinance will have a strong presence, co-hosting, participating in, and engaging with a range of events to advance systemic solutions to pressing global challenges. As the year draws to a close, these discussions will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in 2024 and to chart a forward-looking path for impactful action in the months ahead.
Key Events: Driving Systemic Change
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A New Era for Performance Measurement: Reconciling Diverging Views on Nature Valuation
Date: Tuesday, December 10th | Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CET | Location: CICG Room E
As businesses face increasing pressure to integrate nature valuation into decision-making, reconciling diverse perspectives has become essential. This event, co-hosted by E4S and NatureFinance, will foster dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and finance professionals to address these challenges. By exploring risks, benefits, and technological enablers, the session aims to harmonise valuation frameworks across sectors and geographies while ensuring that investments in nature deliver their intended benefits without unintended consequences. Participants will gain insights, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and identify actionable steps to enhance biodiversity performance and accountability.
Planning for a Future Beyond 1.5°C
Date: Thursday, December 12th | Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CET | Location: CICG Room A
Our commitment to limiting temperature increases to 1.5°C is at a crossroads as current evidence points toward exceeding this critical threshold. This session delves into the “Beyond 1.5°C” agenda, addressing the interconnected crises of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and nature degradation, which threaten food security, health, and economic stability. Drawing on NatureFinance’s research and frameworks from the Club of Rome and the Climate Majority Project, the session will explore systemic solutions and bold strategies for resilience and transformation. Participants will collaborate to chart adaptive pathways for a deeply uncertain future.
The G20 Initiative on the Bioeconomy and the Bridge to COP30
Date: Thursday, December 12th | Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM CET | Location: CICG Room B
The bioeconomy offers a transformative opportunity to realign global financial systems with nature-positive principles. Valued at a potential $24 trillion by 2050, the bioeconomy can drive sustainable development, equitable value creation, and climate resilience. This session, co-hosted by ANCA, Itaúsa and NatureFinance, will showcase Brazil’s leadership and South Africa’s commitment to the G20 Bioeconomy Initiative, exploring strategies to bridge policy and finance, scale bioeconomic innovations, and leverage these principles to address global crises. Participants will gain insights into how this rapidly evolving sector can deliver sustainable trade and equitable development.
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A Call to Action
NatureFinance’s participation at Building Bridges 2024 underscores its commitment to advancing financial systems that prioritise nature-positive outcomes. Through these critical discussions, we aim to unite stakeholders in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic inequality. Join us as we chart the path toward a sustainable, nature-positive future.
We hope to see you there.
For further information, please contact joanna.omalley@naturefinance.net
