Finance and Biodiversity Pavilion COP16
Finance and Biodiversity Pavilion – Events Programme
The Finance and Biodiversity Pavilion will serve as a central hub at COP16 to discuss the alignment of financial flows with the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Join us for an exciting line-up of panel discussions and workshops on sustainable investment strategies, biodiversity impact assessment, innovative financial instruments and policy developments.
Location – Blue zone, Valle del Pacifio
Accessibility – The events will take place in-person only.
Special thanks – This Pavilion is made possible with the support of the members of FfB Foundation and the Accountability Accelerator.
| Date | Start | Organisers | Title | Description | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 01: Mon, 21 Oct | 15:00-16:00 | BCA, UNDP, UNEP FI | Innovation at the foundation: A digital framework for the biodiversity credit market | The side-event aims to discuss the guidelines for the practitioners in the biodiversity credit ecosystem to support the enabling of digitally native credits, which can help foster trust and efficiency in the market. The panel discussion will be framed around principles that can be reflected and embedded within rule-based digital solutions for biodiversity credit issuance, transfer, and retirement. The aim is to ensure that these processes are accurate, well-documented, verifiable, equitable, and transparent, thereby fostering trust and efficiency within the biodiversity credit markets. | |
| Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfBF, UNEP | Closed session | ||
| Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 10:30–11:30 | Rainforest Norway Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, DRC government | Direct Finance for indigenous peoples and local communities at scale to protect DRC's intact rainforests | Co-hosted with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Wildlife Conservation Society and Rainforest Foundation Norway, this side event will shine a light on the potential for community forestry, inclusive financing instruments and payment for ecosystems approaches to meet DRC’s 30x30 targets and close the funding gap for indigenous peoples and local communities, thus justly rewarding their contribution in combating deforestation. | |
| Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 12:00–13:00 | UNDP | A tool to support the public Biodiversity Expenditure review: GLOBE Taxonomy | The side event will cover Biodiversity Expenditure Reviews, an important step to develop BD Finance Plans, including country experience. Consequently, GLOBE and how it can support the BER process will be presented, followed by an interactive part to directly test GLOBE. | |
| Day 02: Tue, 22 Oct | 13:30–18:00 | UNEP FI | Just Partnerships for Delivering Target 19: Exchange and Learning Between Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities and the Financial Sector | The event is intended to promote learning and exchange between members of the financial sector and Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant & Local Communities in the interest of building an equitable and Nature Positive future. Within the Finance & Biodiversity Pavilion, it focuses on topics relevant to finance such as rights and safeguards, new instruments such as biodiversity credits, and moving towards “just partnerships”. | |
| Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfBF, UNEP FI | Closed session | ||
| Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 12:00–13:00 | UNEP FI | Freshwater & Finance | ||
| Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 13:30–14:30 | UNEP FI | Ocean Finance | This session will explore innovative financing solutions for sustainable ocean practices, featuring insights from UNEP FI’s Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative and industry experts. Discussions will focus on the role of public and private finance in driving sustainable blue finance and the opportunities for scaling ocean conservation efforts. Key themes will include financing mechanisms for ocean health, marine resource management, and the role of sustainable finance in achieving a resilient blue economy. | |
| Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 15:00–16:00 | UNDP | Unlocking nature-positive incentives with a ‘Nature ID’ Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) | Nature ID: Unlocking Nature-Positive Incentives With Digital Public Infrastructure.’ By monitoring and verifying the holistic health and value of spatially defined natural assets, digital identity systems (Nature ID) can potentially scale nature-positive incentives such as payments for ecosystem services, biodiversity credits and value chain traceability. Nature ID can also help safeguard the legal rights of nature and Indigenous Peoples. The event will engage key stakeholders on the policy, social and technical aspects of this initiative. | |
| Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 16:30–17:30 | FfBF | Information Session on FfB | This interactive event will showcase the impactful work and overarching mission of the FfB Foundation, including a deep dive into working group initiatives and industry research publications from active member institutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about becoming a member and signatory of the FfB Pledge, as well as share ideas with the FfB community on nature positive solutions. Read more | |
| Day 03: Wed, 23 Oct | 18:00–19:00 | UNEP FI | Plastic Pollution & Nature | This session will explore the synergies between financing nature conservation, climate action, and combating plastic pollution, focusing on creating a sustainable circular plastics economy. The panel will delve into the optimal mix of public, private, market, and non-market finance needed to support these efforts. Key discussions will highlight the role of harmonized disclosures, target setting, and metrics across the plastics value chain. We’ll also examine how to catalyze private investment through public-private partnerships, blended finance, and de-risking strategies, preparing financial actors for the upcoming international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. | |
| Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfBF | Closed session | ||
| Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 10:15–11:15 | Biodiversity Credits Alliance (BCA); UNDP, UNEP | Unlocking demand (for biodiversity credits) by ensuring high integrity | A Biodiversity Credit Alliance multi-stakeholder panel to kick-off a scoping process for an integrity mechanism for the biodiversity credit market, to scale and mobilize finance. The event will catalyze momentum and set a foundation for next steps in developing a market integrity mechanism. | |
| Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 13:30–14:30 | Rabobank | Showcase Rabobank | ||
| Day 04: Thu, 24 Oct | 15:00–19:00 | UNEP FI | ENCORE | Join us for ENCORE Day at COP16, where we will showcase how financial institutions can leverage the ENCORE tool to align financial flows with biodiversity goals. The day will include interactive sessions, panel discussions, and presentations that explore ENCORE’s role in nature-related risk assessments, featuring case studies from financial institutions. Attendees will gain hands-on insights into how ENCORE supports decision-making, risk assessment, and dependency screening. We’ll also present updates to the ENCORE knowledge base, followed by a closing plenary with global leaders discussing the future of tool for the finance industry. | |
| Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | UNDP | Revolutionizing Natures Role in Financial Resilience: 4 protection products for biodiversity investments | The event will convene four different institutions who will socialize their work in the construction of products focused on protecting biodiversity investments: 1. Humanwildlife conflict in the protection of jaguars in Argentina; 2. Protection of forests against fires in Chile; 3. Protection of the paramos in Colombia; 4. Protection of national parks and habitat banking in Colombia. This technical space will also be focused on explore the opportunity to financially protect nature by 1) scaling insurance solutions for natural assets that incentivize and encourage investment and 2) developing insurance models that integrate financial value of nature into premiums. | |
| Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 10:30–11:30 | UNEP FI | Building an Enabling Policy and Regulatory Framework | This session will feature a dialogue between financial institutions and governments on strategies to mobilize private finance for nature. Participants will explore key policy reforms, including supervisory regulations and nature markets, and discuss ways to integrate private finance into national biodiversity strategies. The conversation will highlight successful examples from various regions and sectors, aiming to identify effective approaches for attracting private capital to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. | |
| Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 11:30–12:30 | UNEP FI | Governance, Transparency, and Accountability in Biodiversity Finance | This session will explore innovative approaches to scale and de-risk private investment in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). Focusing on Global Biodiversity Framework Target 19, we'll examine risk mitigation techniques and incentives to enhance nature financing. Experts will discuss blended finance, guarantees, insurance mechanisms, and fiscal incentives, showcasing successful examples that have effectively attracted private capital to biodiversity projects. Join us to learn about cutting-edge strategies for mobilizing private finance in support of global biodiversity goals. | |
| Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 14:00–15:00 | UNDP, UNEP | From Harm to Harmony: Redefining Agricultural Subsidies for Biodiversity Conservation | The agriculture sector is a key pillar of economic development, employment, and food security for many countries. The purpose of this event is to catalyze stakeholder consensus on the “what”, “why”, and “how” needed for governments to repurpose harmful agricultural subsidies in ways that align with objectives for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food and commodities systems. | |
| Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 15:00–16:00 | UNEP FI | Market-based Mechanisms for Private Investment with Nature-Positive Outcomes | This session will explore innovative market-based approaches to achieve nature-positive outcomes, aligning with Global Biodiversity Framework Target 19. We'll examine England's Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy and Water Trust Fund initiatives as case studies for unlocking private investment in nature. Discussions will focus on transitioning from traditional funding to financing biodiversity, and how these successful mechanisms can be replicated globally. Join us to learn about cutting-edge strategies that enable private investors to generate returns while contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable water management. | |
| Day 05: Fri, 25 Oct | 17:00–18:00 | FfBF, UNEP FI | Finance for Nature Positive: monitoring and mobilisation of financial flows | The event on “Finance for Nature Positive” is meant to solicit feedback on the FfB Foundation & UNEP FI’s discussion paper providing guidance on how financial institutions can contribute to implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework. The panel will gather key stakeholders to exchange views on nature strategies to reduce the drivers of biodiversity loss and identify opportunities to conserve and restore biodiversity. Read more | |
| Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfBF, UNEP FI | Closed session | ||
| Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 10:00–11:00 | FfBF | The Elephant in the Room: Nature and Data | This event will introduce the FfB Biodiversity Data Platform (version 1.0) to attendees. The panel aims to encourage open dialogue about how existing tools, including the FfB Biodiversity Data Platform, can support financial institutions in selecting the right data provider and data points for the right objective. It will also offer an opportunity to learn about the upcoming TNFD Public Data Facility. Read more | |
| Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 11:15–12:15 | Lloyds Bank | Showcase Lloyds Bank | ||
| Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 14:00–15:00 | FfBF | Biodiversity impact and dependency assessments in the finance sector: The time to act is now | This session will feature the launch of two cutting-edge biodiversity measurement guides designed for financial institutions and companies. After the launch, a panel of key organizations and investors will discuss about key topics related to measuring biodiversity impacts and dependencies for investors, including reporting requirements, location and data challenges, and alignment with corporate practices, among others. | |
| Day 06: Sat, 26 Oct | 17:00–18:30 | Federated Hermes | Showcase Federated Hermes Limited | ||
| Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfBF, UNEP FI | Closed session | ||
| Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 10:15–11:15 | UNEP FI | PRB Sector Action Guidance for Nature: Getting Started in the Agricultural, Forestry, and Mining Sectors | This session will present key recommendations for banks to help their agriculture and mining clients address and mitigate nature loss. Industry experts and banking leaders will share their insights and experiences in engaging clients on nature-related challenges, offering practical strategies for fostering sustainable practices across these critical sectors. | |
| Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 11:30–13:30 | FfBF | Integrating nature into sovereign debt | The purpose of this event is to start a practical dialogue for financial institutions and their sovereign counterparts to mobilise private financial flows to countries to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Including meaningful and operable nature considerations in the assessment of sovereign debt is at the heart of this approach. The panel will stress how integrating nature into sovereign debt can help bridge the current gap between the financial markets and sovereign issuing governments, particularly in emerging markets. The panel will present the views of complementary stakeholders: governments, central banks, public and private financial institutions, multilateral institutions. | |
| Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 13:45–14:45 | UNDP | Revenue for Nature Guidebook: A case on Biodiversity Credits in Colombia | ||
| Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 15:00–16:30 | Silverstrand Capital | Enabling the Ecosystem for Nature-Positive Ventures | This session will shed light on how different players, including incubators, accelerators, innovation challenges and investors play a role in the ecosystem on supporting early nature positive ventures through various financial and non financial resources. Nature tech innovators from the Biodiversity Accelerator+ programme will also be pitching about their work, with the session culminating in an award ceremony and a networking session at the reception booth with light bites provided. Register your interest to attend | |
| Day 07: Sun, 27 Oct | 16:45–17:45 | FfBF | Alignment of Financial Flows with the GBF: from ambition to implementation | This event will build on the work of the Foundation’s Public Policy Advocacy working group in calling for greater ambition of governments in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework and aligning financial flows with its goals and targets. The panel aims to encourage dialogue with negotiators about the transition of economic sectors through strong policies, regulations and incentives to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Read more | |
| Day 08: Mon, 28 Oct | 08:00–9:00 | Davivienda | Breakfast meeting | ||
| Day 08: Mon, 28 Oct | 12:30–14:00 | CBD | Closed session | ||
| Day 08: Mon, 28 Oct | 9:00–11:00 | FfBF, UNEP FI | Closed session | ||
| Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 08:00–9:00 | CBD | Closed session | ||
| Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 10:00–11:00 | Ceres, IIGCC, Planet Tracker, FfBF | Implementing the Biodiversity Plan: Corporate Action on Nature Loss | At COP16, Nature Action 100 will release the results of the initiative’s first benchmark assessment of 100 companies in key sectors toward achieving the initiative’s Investor Expectations of Companies. Nature Action 100 partners investor participants will discuss where companies stand in their nature action and highlight opportunities for companies to accelerate their nature transition. This event will offer valuable insights into what steps investors and companies are taking to help meet Target 15 and how Nature Action 100 is helping to drive greater ambition on reducing nature loss. Read more | |
| Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 11:15–11:45 | FfBF | Launch of New Collaborative Engagement Initiative | In this session, Finance for Biodiversity Foundation will launch a groundbreaking new collaborative engagement initiative on nature. Full details will be revealed soon! | |
| Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 13:00–14:00 | UNDP | Direct Access to Nature and Climate Finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: New Approaches to Financing and Upscaling Local Actions | Title: 'Direct Access to Nature and Climate Finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: New Approaches to Financing and Upscaling Local Actions'. This side event responds to announcements and pledges to increase access to nature and climate finance for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. In 2023, the GEF Council announced that 20% of the funds mobilised under the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) will be channelled directly to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The GBFF aspirational target builds on the earlier $1.7B pledge announced at the UNFCCC COP26 in 2021 with respect to IPs and LCs access to international climate finance. The panel will discuss progress on the direct access principles, operational modalities, and opportunities to increase local action through culturally appropriate financing at territorial or landscape scales. | |
| Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 14:30–15:30 | UNEP FI | Nature positive insurance (new guidance launch) | Join us for the launch of the PSI Nature-Positive Insurance (NPI) Guidance. This session introduces a collaborative initiative aimed at helping insurers address nature-related risks and opportunities. Learn how this guidance supports the insurance sector in building capacity for nature-related risk assessments, disclosures, and contributing to global biodiversity goals. | |
| Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 15:45–16:45 | FfBF | Target Setting on Nature workshop: perspectives and good practices | In this session, financial institutions will discuss how to set nature targets. The FfB Nature Target Setting Framework for Asset Managers and Owners will be presented, and investors will share their perspectives on how to implement the framework. | |
| Day 09: Tue, 29 Oct | 17:00–18:30 | Storebrand AM | Showcase Storebrand AM | ||
| Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfBF & UNEP FI | Closed session | ||
| Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 10:15–11:15 | FfBF & NGFS | Central Banks and Supervisors actions on nature-related financial risks and transition planning | This panel, held in conjunction with NGFS, will provide a space for exchanging experiences on implementing nature-related financial regulations, bringing together interested parties for open dialogue. The panel will also highlight the need for ambition and transparency in nature transition planning, along with challenges and potential solutions. Read more | |
| Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 14:00–15:00 | UNEP FI | Academics | ||
| Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 15:15–16:15 | FfBF | FfB Pledge: Signatories & Good Practices | In this session we will announce our new Pledge signatories and showcase best practice examples from signatories that have already reported in line with the Pledge commitments. | |
| Day 10: Wed, 30 Oct | 16:30–17:30 | Eco.Business Fund | Showcase eco.business Fund | ||
| Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 09:00–10:00 | FfBF & UNEP FI | Closed session | ||
| Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 10:30–11:30 | UNDP | Driving Green Finance and Nature-Related Disclosures: Global Insights and the Role of Regulatory Leadership | The side event will explore how regulatory frameworks can promote green finance and enhance nature-related financial disclosures. Drawing on global insights and experiences from BIOFIN, Zambia’s Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bank of Botswana, and the Central Bank of Malaysia, the session will highlight key successes and challenges, focusing on how strategic partnerships can effectively help align financial systems with the Global Biodiversity Framework to address biodiversity loss. | |
| Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 13:30–14:30 | UNDP | Media, Information, Training and Mobilization of Public Opinion in Favor of the Protection and Financing of Biodiversity Ecosystems and the Fight Against Climate Change | This side event has seven specific objectives: • Convert the media action currently guided by the critical spirit of defiance into a benevolent and positive movement of support; • Analyze all forms of support action that the media could carry out in favor of the preservation of biodiversity ecosystems: documentaries, news reports, testimonies, fiction, current affairs debates, awareness campaigns, fundraising, games, etc. • Present to the media the ideas of four impact projects identified within the framework of the Congo Basin Climate Commission to serve as a programmatic support point. These are: (i) Peasant forestry for the production of multiple-use wood by small private operators; (ii) Establishment of a sustainable management system for the exploitation of fisheries resources; (iii) Mobilization and capacity building of CSOs and community leaders in Congo Basin countries for the sustainable management of aquatic environments; (iv) Strengthening coffee and cocoa value chains; • Place media action at the heart of raising public awareness by setting up cooperation bridges for access to scientific and technical information, to best practices with a view to their dissemination and large-scale replication; • Establish a network of journalists committed to the preservation of ecosystems; • Network the media of developed and developing countries to promote the smooth flow of information, transparency and awareness of sometimes contradictory but always common issues; • Bring together and popularize the solutions of beneficiaries by raising funds for the financing of projects: • Present the results and impacts obtained, out of a duty of transparency; Harness the power of social networks to reach an audience on a global scale | |
| Day 11: Thu, 31 Oct | 15:00–16:00 | UNDP | Global ICCA Support Initiative Phase 2: funding to GBF Targets 3, 21, 22 and 23, and launch of new IUCN WCPA Guidelines on ICCAs Overlapped by Protected Areas | The side-event will present Phase 2 of the Global ICCA Support Initiative providing small grants to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in 50 countries in support to GBF Targets 3, 21, 22, and 23 (2023-2028). The event will also launch 'Recognising territories and areas conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs) overlapped by protected areas', the newest volume in the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas’ series of Good Practice Guidelines for Protected and Conserved Areas. |