Key Takeaways:
- Conservation International will serve as impact advisor for Bregal Investments’ natural capital strategy, Bregal Sphere Nature.
- The strategy targets investments in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to combat climate change and biodiversity loss while supporting farming communities.
- Capital will focus on long-term carbon removal and reforestation projects, aiding corporate environmental commitments.
- The partnership aims to address the $520 billion annual funding gap for NbS predicted by 2050.
- Conservation International will help develop impact criteria and processes, ensuring alignment with best conservation practices.
New Partnership Announced
Conservation International announced a partnership with Bregal Investments to serve as impact advisor for Bregal’s dedicated natural capital strategy, Bregal Sphere Nature. This collaboration aims to address the joint threats of biodiversity loss and climate change by investing in high-quality Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects.
Addressing Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change
“Smallholder farmers worldwide suffer from the joint threats of biodiversity loss and climate change. Carbon finance offers an incredible opportunity to slash on-farm emissions – something we must achieve this decade for a climate-safe future,” said Bjorn Stauch, Senior Vice President of Conservation Finance at Conservation International.
Bregal Sphere Nature will focus on investments that protect and restore nature, support farming communities, and help corporates achieve Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) targets. The strategy includes long-term carbon removal projects within agricultural value chains and complementary reforestation and mangrove restoration activities.
Bridging the NbS Financing Gap
The United Nations Environment Programme predicts an annual $520 billion gap for NbS by 2050. Despite this, the private sector contributed just 18% of total NbS investment in 2023. The partnership between Conservation International and Bregal aims to bridge this financing gap by leveraging Conservation International’s extensive experience in conservation with Bregal’s expertise in managing private capital funds.
Agustin Silvani, Managing Partner of Bregal Sphere Nature, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Conservation International, one of the leading non-profit organizations working in nature-based solutions, to help maximize our impact. Restoring nature and the services it provides is essential for transforming at-risk agricultural landscapes into productive and resilient carbon sinks.”
Ensuring High-Impact Projects
Conservation International will provide impact advisory services to Bregal Sphere Nature, supporting the development of internal processes and frameworks and ensuring alignment with best practice guidelines for conservation and restoration. This includes helping to establish an Impact Advisory Committee to de-risk projects and ensure consistent alignment with the strategy’s impact criteria.
“The solutions funded will also promote biodiversity, secure the future viability of agricultural supply chains, and protect the livelihoods of the farmers who depend on them,” Stauch added. “We are excited to be working with Bregal on this initiative to mobilize finance and ensure that the impact of these investments is maximized for people, nature, and climate.”
