Climate Finance and Offsetting: investments in NbS and new financial mechanisms

We urgently need to increase the flow of investment to high quality Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that are people led and support biodiversity. NbS has a significant contribution to make to mitigating and adapting to climate change, yet remains dramatically under-invested. Carbon markets such as cap-and-trade, involving carbon offsets, are increasingly considered as mechanisms for financing NbS. However, offsets present a number of problems if poorly implemented. In this session, we will briefly explore the debates around carbon offsets and NbS, and discuss options for a range of finance options that reward high quality Nature-based Solutions, including public financing, the carbon offset market, risk management and blended finances to jumpstart the NbS market.