BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:talks.ox.ac.uk BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Follow the Money: Can Climate Finance Compete with Extractive Land Investments? - Dr Niak Sian Koh (University of Oxford) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260210T151000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260210T161000Z UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/ba708702-9459-4403-99a1-b56360cd5960/ DESCRIPTION:Climate finance is often presented as a solution to deforestat ion\, yet forest landscapes are shaped by competing financial and land-use interests. This seminar examines the transformative potential of REDD+ fi nance in the Democratic Republic of Congo\, showing how its influence is c onstrained in contexts dominated by extractive activities. Tracing financi al and commodity flows\, the seminar highlights how overlapping mining\, t imber\, carbon\, and oil interests shape land-use change and can reinforce inequality\, calling for a rethinking of deforestation narratives.\nSpeak ers:\nDr Niak Sian Koh (University of Oxford) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (Desert Room (ECI) and online.)\, off Sout h Parks Road OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/ba708702-9459-4403-99a1-b56360cd5960/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:Follow the Money: Can Climate Finance Compete with Extrac tive Land Investments? - Dr Niak Sian Koh (University of Oxford) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Research Frontiers in Biodiversity Finance and Policy: A Conversat ion with Sara Löfqvist - Dr Sara Löfqvist (ETH Zurich)\, Sophus zu Ermg assen (University of Oxford) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251215T093000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251215T103000Z UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/6204ac58-1efc-4afc-9291-494f1dc601d4/ DESCRIPTION:This conversation will explore the potential for a new biodive rsity finance policy discourse which moves beyond the narrative of “clos ing the funding gap” towards one focusing on addressing the macroeconomi c injustices that drive biodiversity loss and social inequity. Sara Lofqvi st and Sophus zu Ermgassen will discuss the respective roles that public a nd private actors can play as funders of equitable\, long-term biodiversit y conservation and restoration\, as well as the risks and opportunities in herent in the current state of biodiversity finance tracking toward Target 19 under the CBD.\nSpeakers:\nDr Sara Löfqvist (ETH Zurich)\, Sophus zu Ermgassen (University of Oxford) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (City Room (Environmental Change Institute ))\, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/6204ac58-1efc-4afc-9291-494f1dc601d4/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:Research Frontiers in Biodiversity Finance and Policy: A Conversation with Sara Löfqvist - Dr Sara Löfqvist (ETH Zurich)\, Sophu s zu Ermgassen (University of Oxford) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Financing Forest Restoration: The Distribution and Role of Green F intech in Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change - Dr Felicia Liu (Unive rsity of York) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251113T150000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20251113T160000Z UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/c2b22ae4-6c18-4b56-a77f-b80244253b1e/ DESCRIPTION:Financial technology (fintech) has been hailed as a disruptive reformer of the global financial system\, promising more open\, democrati c capital flows and new opportunities for a wider range of investors to pa rticipate in sustainable finance. But how true is that promise? This semin ar will problematise the rise of green fintech by focusing on the emergenc e of ‘fintech for forests\,’ where we see an exponential growth of onl ine platforms and products that let users donate to\, invest in\, or even virtually ‘own’ trees via apps and online schemes. Drawing on original mapping and network analysis\, the seminar will trace where these platfor ms operate\, who funds them\, and where the trees are actually planted. It will assess how fintech claim to democratise climate finance and make sus tainability more accessible\, and where those claims begin to break down. From the vantage point of forestation fintech\, the seminar asks a broader question: can the digitisation of finance genuinely address planetary cri ses\, or is green fintech simply (re)planting new forms of inequality alon gside the trees?\nSpeakers:\nDr Felicia Liu (University of York) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (Village Room\, ECI)\, off South Parks Roa d OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/c2b22ae4-6c18-4b56-a77f-b80244253b1e/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:Financing Forest Restoration: The Distribution and Role o f Green Fintech in Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change - Dr Felicia L iu (University of York) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Sovereign Debt Management Strategies for Colombia’s Climate and Biodiversity Transition - Morgane Gonon (Université Paris-Saclay) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250904T160000 DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250904T170000 UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/58878ac1-9a32-4244-9048-4abdbc08b65a/ DESCRIPTION:Existing debt-environment solutions overlook critical macro-fi nancial linkages. This seminar will address this gap by modeling four gree n debt instruments – concessional borrowing\, local-currency investment\ , interest renegotiation\, and principal adjustment – and their combinat ions for Colombia using the GEMMES macroeconomic framework. The results id entify robust Pareto-optimal strategies that achieve green investment targ ets and reduce harmful exports while maintaining greater macroeconomic sta bility compared to the baseline. While debt relief can temporarily ease im balances\, lasting stability requires structural economic transformation. This research contributes to the debate on international financial archite cture by integrating macroeconomic resilience and linking historical debt analysis with contemporary sustainable development challenges.\nSpeakers:\ nMorgane Gonon (Université Paris-Saclay) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (Desert Room\, Environmental Change Instit ute)\, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/58878ac1-9a32-4244-9048-4abdbc08b65a/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:Sovereign Debt Management Strategies for Colombia’s Cli mate and Biodiversity Transition - Morgane Gonon (Université Paris-Saclay ) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High-Integrity Biodiversity Data: Challenges\, Gaps\, and Opportun ities for Financial and Ecological Accountability - Dr Franziska Shrodt (U niversity of Nottingham) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250716T150000 DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250716T160000 UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/39fe0726-71c9-4442-a763-9c1448507a6a/ DESCRIPTION:This seminar will examine key biodiversity data and high-integ rity indicator principle challenges and explore pathways towards addressin g them. We will identify gaps between the current and desired states of bi odiversity data and propose solutions to bridge the divide – from today ’s perceived data deserts to tomorrow’s actionable\, high-integrity in formation.\nSpeakers:\nDr Franziska Shrodt (University of Nottingham) LOCATION:Online seminar TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/39fe0726-71c9-4442-a763-9c1448507a6a/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:High-Integrity Biodiversity Data: Challenges\, Gaps\, and Opportunities for Financial and Ecological Accountability - Dr Franziska Shrodt (University of Nottingham) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Original Biodiversity Finance - Dr Susan de Witt (Stellenbosch & University of Oxford) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250527T143000 DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250527T153000 UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/5e8ad6ad-e23b-4cb4-b130-a63f24d50ca7/ DESCRIPTION:Global targets for conservation and restoration are growing\, yet financing biodiversity at scale remains a challenge—especially in re gions with limited state capacity. Southern and East Africa offer an overl ooked solution through decades of wildlife-based land use (WBLU)—such as ecotourism\, hunting\, and game meat—on private and communal lands. The se models have delivered ecological and socio-economic benefits\, often wi thout subsidies or carbon finance. This seminar presents the first structu red financial analysis of non-state WBLU enterprises\, highlighting an ear ly\, practical form of biodiversity finance. While current debates frame b iodiversity finance as a future goal\, these landholders show how private investment and local enterprise already support restoration and conservati on—offering key insights for policymakers and investors.\nSpeakers:\nDr Susan de Witt (Stellenbosch & University of Oxford) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (Atmosphere Room\, ECI)\, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/5e8ad6ad-e23b-4cb4-b130-a63f24d50ca7/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:The Original Biodiversity Finance - Dr Susan de Witt (Ste llenbosch & University of Oxford) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Limits to Derisked Decarbonisation: State Capacity Unevenness in Domestic Green Transition Strategies - Rosie Collington (Copenhagen Bus iness School) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250312T133000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250312T143000Z UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/27700f3e-08f2-4b23-98e4-09328d0fe529/ DESCRIPTION:With the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015\, governments around the world committed to reducing emissions and limiting global temp erature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. However\, even tho se with comprehensive\, legally enshrined strategies are struggling to imp lement their own plans. This seminar will examine how the dynamics of the global political economy shape national bureaucracies and influence their ability to develop state capacity for implementing green transition strate gies. Using Chile as a case study\, we will explore how government agencie s across three policy areas — green hydrogen\, native forestry\, and min ing — have faced differing levels of effort in building the necessary st ate capacity for decarbonisation. Contrary to existing theories\, which su ggest that initiatives in sectors with strong incumbent require more targe ted efforts to develop state capacity\, our findings indicate that alignme nt with domestic growth constraints and access to financing for de-risking infrastructure investments play a more significant role. State capacity i s often used to enhance project feasibility for potential investors\, but limited state capacity in ‘unbankable’ policy areas undermines the rea lisation of carbon neutrality.\nSpeakers:\nRosie Collington (Copenhagen Bu siness School) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (East Lab\, Environmental Change Institute )\, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/27700f3e-08f2-4b23-98e4-09328d0fe529/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:The Limits to Derisked Decarbonisation: State Capacity Un evenness in Domestic Green Transition Strategies - Rosie Collington (Copen hagen Business School) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:What is a Unit of Nature? Measurement Challenges in the Emerging B iodiversity Credit Market - Dr Hannah Wauchope (University of Edinburgh) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250224T130000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250224T140000Z UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/a2121111-f858-4d25-b0b4-dedc00794451/ DESCRIPTION:There is growing interest in developing generalisable\, standa rdised measurements of biodiversity\, in particular to help the business a nd financial sectors to quantify biodiversity impacts. In our recent paper \, we created a framework to explain how such units are defined in the rap idly growing voluntary biodiversity credits market. In this talk\, I will present this framework and use it to discuss the many measurement challeng es that are faced in trying to reduce something as complex as biodiversity to a single unit\, and what this might mean for biodiversity credit marke ts.\nSpeakers:\nDr Hannah Wauchope (University of Edinburgh) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (East Lab\, Environmental Change Institute )\, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/a2121111-f858-4d25-b0b4-dedc00794451/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:What is a Unit of Nature? Measurement Challenges in the E merging Biodiversity Credit Market - Dr Hannah Wauchope (University of Edi nburgh) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Promise and Pitfalls of Biodiversity Finance: A Conversation w ith Siddarth Shrikanth - Siddarth Shrikanth\, Sophus zu Ermgassen (Univers ity of Oxford) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250211T160000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20250211T170000Z UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/ddd8d587-8433-4dcd-8b43-5aeb1ff5987b/ DESCRIPTION:Siddarth Shrikanth is an investment professional at Just Clima te and author of 'The Case for Nature' (Penguin and Duckworth\, 2023). Joi n Sophus zu Ermgassen for his conversation with Siddarth on biodiversity f inance and NbS investment.\nSpeakers:\nSiddarth Shrikanth\, Sophus zu Ermg assen (University of Oxford) LOCATION:Atmosphere Room TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/ddd8d587-8433-4dcd-8b43-5aeb1ff5987b/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:The Promise and Pitfalls of Biodiversity Finance: A Conve rsation with Siddarth Shrikanth - Siddarth Shrikanth\, Sophus zu Ermgassen (University of Oxford) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Derisking Biodiversity Investments: Lessons from the Energy Transi tion - Dr Florian Egli (Technical University of Munich) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241126T100000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20241126T110000Z UID:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/749e41b0-cd36-4ecc-a18c-ed4e42f03b9d/ DESCRIPTION:International negotiations emphasise the importance of private capital in supporting the protection and restoration of biodiversity and natural ecosystems. However\, there is limited understanding of the condit ions under which private capital can effectively address these critical is sues. In other transitions\, derisking has proven to be a valuable policy tool for enabling investment in socially desirable initiatives. This paper will analyse biodiversity finance deals and propose a framework to assess whether derisking could be a viable strategy to mobilise finance for biod iversity.\nSpeakers:\nDr Florian Egli (Technical University of Munich) LOCATION:Dyson Perrins Building (Village Room\, Environmental Change Insti tute)\, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY TZID:Europe/London URL:https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/749e41b0-cd36-4ecc-a18c-ed4e42f03b9d/ BEGIN:VALARM ACTION:display DESCRIPTION:Talk:Derisking Biodiversity Investments: Lessons from the Ener gy Transition - Dr Florian Egli (Technical University of Munich) TRIGGER:-PT1H END:VALARM END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR