The RESPIN project is proud to co-organize a high-level workshop in Paris aimed at bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and the financial sector. In collaboration with Biodiversa+, the Banque de France, the BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub and the French Foundation for Biodiversity Research (FRB), this event will focus on accelerating the shift toward a financial system that actively supports nature-positive outcomes.
Why nature-positive finance?
Modern financial stability and long-term value creation are increasingly threatened by the rapid loss of biodiversity and the degradation of our ecosystems. While global policy signals such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) clearly call for institutions to manage their nature-related impacts and redirect capital toward biodiversity-positive results, a significant gap remains.
A major barrier to this transition is the lack of "decision-useful" scientific data. Financial actors currently struggle with a shortage of robust baselines, validated methodologies, and clear indicators to properly assess systemic risks and trade-offs. This workshop is designed to address these scientific foundations to enable real-world action.
Workshop objectives
Drawing on recent assessments by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the program of this workshop will blend expert plenary sessions with interactive discussions. These interactive discussions aim to pinpoint the real-world constraints and challenges in decision-making. They will focus on articulating specific needs for public research that supports nature-integrated finance governance. Additionally, the discussions will examine the conditions necessary for the financial sector to adopt scientific tools and spatial indicators. By addressing these interconnected topics, we aim to strengthen the interface between science, finance, and policy to improve the management of nature-related risks.
Workshop topics
The workshop will explore several specialized topics, including:
- Restoration and modeling, as a 'stress test' for current evidence gaps and validation of new scientific methodologies
- Diverse knowledge systems, by integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into financial frameworks
- Economic reform that can address harmful incentives while exploring emerging nature-related financial instruments, such as nature credits
- International strategy that will contribute to global dialogues on biodiversity and finance in the lead-up to COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity
The transition to a nature-positive financial system requires continuous scientific insight. Visit the RESPIN project website and follow our LinkedIn page to access the latest research, factsheets and to stay updated on the outcomes of this high-level workshop.
