What are innovative finance models for conservation all about? Traditionally, conservation works have been funded through non-market mechanisms such as government programs, philanthropic organisations and the public. These mechanisms are limited by factors such as different donor interests and state of the economy that limit scaling up and sustainability of conservation works. On the rise is recognition and push for market-aligned innovative sustainable financing that enable conservation investments from the private sector.

Innovative finance models for conservation therefore entail lending and investment instruments by the finance sector (banks, insurers, investors, asset managers…) that take into account environmental considerations thus protecting and encouraging sustainable ecosystems.

On the 15th of July, 3pm to 5pm, we are inviting you to the first session in the second series of the GreenHouse Sessions that will focus on answering some of the following questions:

• What are some of these instruments that have proven successful in our Kenyan context? 
• Which entities are championing these works to ensure financial systems serve the people and the planet? 
• What needs to be done to leverage these innovative mechanisms?
• What is the role of governments, civil society entities, entrepreneurs and financial institutions in this?

. As part of this session you will get to:

1. Understand and explore the innovative finance models  for conservation
2. Learn from subject matter experts that are already implementing innovative finance instruments in their conservation works
3. Get to ask questions to the subject matter experts on this topic
4. Share your insights on the topic of innovative finance models for conservation

Sign up via this link today!

Around the world, local and indigenous communities in developing and emerging economies are at the front line of natural resource conservation. These communities are the gatekeepers of our most precious landscapes and seascapes with customary rights to the territories and natural resources. Many directly derive their livelihoods from their natural environment and have been protecting the natural resources they depend on for centuries. This ranges from hunting and gathering to farming, forestry to ecotourism, from artisanal mining to fishing, recycling plastics to protect wildlife corridors. Local and indigenous people living in biodiversity hotspots are also vulnerable to overconsumption of natural resources to economic scarcity and social disparity. Therefore they are critical allies as environmental stewards. However, at the same time they are at risk of being left behind if conservation efforts fail to involve them directly and trigger solutions with verifiable benefits for at risk communities.

To explore the topic at a granular level, we had a panel discussion featuring:

1. Prof. Charles Musyoki, Director of Parks and Reserves at Kenya Wildlife Service. 
2. Nelson Ole Reiyia, CEO and Co-Founder of the Nashulai Mara Conservancy.

This 90 minute session explored how we can make education on sustainable development more inclusive and participatory and ensure everyone practices sustainability.

We had a riveting panel discussion featuring:

1. Dr. Margaret Otieno - National Coordinator and CEO, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya
2. Ephantus Mugo, Conservation Education Coordinator - Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
3. Jane Waiyaki-Maina, Head of Sustainability, Absa Kenya
4. Peter Tabichi - Teacher, Keriko Primary School and Winner of 2019 Global Teacher Prize

Our food system is one of the major threats to nature in the present times. In order to be able to feed the world now and in the future we need food systems to become more sustainable. We can no longer exploit resources beyond planetary boundaries, and we need to find better solutions for feeding, nutritiously and healthily, the world’s growing billions. Underscoring the importance of concerted effort to transform the food system to sustainably produce nutritious food while protecting biodiversity, while tackling food loss and waste.

This 90-minute interactive session delved into the issue of food loss in the Kenyan context and innovative solutions to mitigate the problem and advance towards a food secure future. We had a riveting panel discussion featuring:

1. Winnie Yegon - Food Systems Analyst at the 

   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

2. Dr William Ojwang - Africa Rift Lakes Programme Manager at WWF Kenya
3. Sheena Shah - Director & Permaculture Designer at Harvesting for Good East Africa