Sustainable Investing and ESG in a Polarized World

The broader global economic and political realignments result in the polarization of sustainable investing across regions. The U.S. is retreating from environment, social and governance (ESG) commitments, Europe faces increasing regulatory and political ambiguity, and China is capitalizing on this uncertainty to establish itself as the global leader in a green economy. This geopolitical fragmentation […]

Sustainability and Innovation in the 11 Real Estate Meeting at IESE Business School

The XI Real Estate Meeting at IESE Madrid provided a comprehensive analysis of the entire real estate process, addressing the challenges and opportunities within a rapidly evolving economic and technological landscape. This year’s discussions emphasized resilience and innovation as essential pillars for the future of the sector, integrating sustainability, technological advancement, and investment strategies to […]

Protecting Nature and Biodiversity beyond CO2

As the global environmental crisis intensifies, discussions around climate change have largely been dominated by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their mitigation. While essential, this narrow focus risks overshadowing the equally urgent and multifaceted challenge of biodiversity loss. Addressing biodiversity loss requires a paradigm shift—one that emphasizes nature’s intrinsic value and recognizes the limitations of […]

Global Warming in 2024

The year 2024 has conclusively underscored the accelerating pace of global warming, with unprecedented climatic events and disturbing data emphasizing the urgent need to reassess global strategies and commitments. While reducing global temperatures is a long-term process that will take decades or even centuries, immediate efforts must focus on decarbonization and emissions reduction to create […]

Urban Forests: A Blueprint for Sustainable Green Infrastructure and Financial Innovation

Urban forests, often viewed historically as ornamental or recreational spaces, are increasingly recognized as critical green infrastructure. Beyond their aesthetic and leisure benefits, these spaces have emerged as multifaceted assets addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. This post explores the evolving role of urban forests, their ecosystem services, and the innovative financial models that […]

How to Fix the Voluntary Carbon Markets

Voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) expanded rapidly after the Paris Agreement (COP15), and they seemed like a good idea because by setting maximum CO2 emission targets—ultimately aiming for net-zero—they compelled companies to first decarbonize and then offset their remaining emissions. This was where voluntary carbon markets came into play. Initially, VCMs were seen as a promising […]

Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) – Cali, Colombia. October 21 to November 1, 2024.

Progress and Challenges in Global Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration One way to track the progress of biodiversity conservation and restoration objectives is through the series of COPs dedicated to biodiversity. Unfortunately, all these United Nations-led conferences—on biodiversity, climate change, and desertification—are called “COP,” which can create confusion about their distinct purposes. “The Convention recognizes that […]