COP16 Special: Profitable Nature-Based Investing - 4 Leaders Paving the Way for a Greener, Sustainable Future (#059)

SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing

In honor of COP16, the biodiversity 'Conference of the Parties', which begins next week in Cali, Colombia, I’ve put together a special compilation episode featuring four insightful conversations on nature-focused investment strategies. Each segment explores different approaches to nature-based investing, highlighting the diverse asset classes and strategies designed to protect and enhance natural capital. Here are the featured guests:
1. Alina Donets, Lead Portfolio Manager at Lombard Odier Investment Managers

Alina Donets manages the LO Funds-Natural Capital portfolio, which invests in publicly traded companies focused on biodiversity and the circular economy. The fund addresses issues like resource overuse and pollution while aiming for strong financial returns. In this segment, Alina discusses the importance of investing in natural capital, noting that over half of the global GDP depends on it.
Full Episode
2. Tammy Newmark, CEO and Managing Partner of EcoEnterprises Fund

Tammy Newmark has been a leader in impact investing for over 30 years, particularly through EcoEnterprises Fund. It is a Venture Capital fund that invests in small businesses in Latin America that preserve natural capital. In this episode, Tammy explains how EcoEnterprises integrates local communities into their investments to ensure long-term sustainability and success.
Full Episode
3. Charlotte Kaiser, Head of Impact Finance at BTG Pactual's Timberland Investment Group (TIG)

Charlotte Kaiser brings a wealth of experience from her leadership roles in conservation finance. At BTG Pactual's TIG, she oversees $6 billion in assets, creating real asset impact investing strategies that support biodiversity, water conservation, and climate action through timberland investments. Charlotte highlights how her team is transforming traditional timberland investing into a tool for both profit and global sustainability.
Full Episode
4. Martin Berg, CEO of Climate Asset Management

Climate Asset Management is dedicated to scaling real asset natural capital investments and recognizing biodiversity as a financial asset. Drawing on his experience at the European Investment Bank and the UN Climate Change Conference, Martin Berg highlights the urgent need for large-scale capital to support nature-based solutions to tackle the urgent climate and biodiversity crises.
Full Episode
—
The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing.
—
Connect with SRI360°:
Sign up for the free weekly email update.
Visit the SRI360° PODCAST.
Visit the SRI360° WEBSITE.
Follow SRI360° on X.
Follow SRI360° on FACEBOOK.

—
Key Takeaways:
Intro (00:00)
Alina Donets on natural capital (03:50)
The LO Funds-Natural Capital’s investment strategy and portfolio (13:21)
Tammy Newmark on EcoEnterprises Fund’s type of investments (28:35)
Downsides of nature-focused investment strategies (46:26)
The impact washing issue (50:23)
Charlotte Kaiser’s experience at The Nature Conservancy/NatureVest (51:57)
Transition to BTG Pactual’s Timberland Investment Group (59:51)
Sustainable forestry’s role in climate change & biodiversity (01:04:35)
Martin Berg on Climate Asset Management’s mission and key strategies (01:16:16)
Key risks to consider with natural capital investments (01:43:11)