Claire Vredenbregt’s Post

Today we are introducing you to the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD)! 🌳 About the DFCD Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) was established in 2019 with the aim to support projects targeted at climate adaptation and mitigation and enhancing resilience of the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems. DFCD is managed by a consortium consisting of Worldwide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL), SNV, the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and Climate Fund Managers (CFM). 🌺 About funding opportunities DFCD has several options available for interested applicants that have a commercially viable project. For newcomers to DFCD, the first step is 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 is the central funding mechanism of DFCD. - It is open to companies operating in one of the OECD DAC list of eligible ODA countries. - The main aim behind this grant is to offer funding and technical assistance to projects to enable them to become bankable for large-scale funding. - It is targeted at four high-impact sectors: for (1) agriculture, (2) environmental protection, (3) forestry and (4) water and sanitation. On average, the grants are around €150,000 – 300,000. - Some of the activities eligible for funding under the Origination Facility include technical and financial feasibility studies, environmental and social safeguard checks, pilot studies and development of business models. - Applications to the Origination Facility are accepted on roll basis.   Once projects reach to the desired level, the DFCD seeks to graduate them to 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, or 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 depending on their focus and suitability. - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 offers a selection of different financial instruments (such as grants, equity and loans) to sectors relating to agroforestry, sustainable land use and climate resilient food production. It is targeted at companies working on areas like resiliency in land use and food production. - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 offers grants and equity opportunities for the contributes to the development, construction and operational phases of projects related to water and sanitation infrastructure. - 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 are also engaged and can offer alternative funding pathways. 👉 Visit FIRE website for more information on the eligibility criteria and application process: https://lnkd.in/dScCGY6S 👈

*Scotland's natural assets contribute more than £𝟰𝟬 𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣 to the economy and support 𝟮𝟲𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀* We're pleased to share this work, completed with WSP in the UK for The Scottish Government, outlining nature's key role in the Scottish economy: The Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy report, released Monday, shows that Scottish nature: ✅ supports #agriculture, #fisheries, #forestry, #water, #food, #renewables, and much more ✅ is a key source of employment ✅ contributes billions to the economy ✅ is a worthwhile investment... which is now a top priority for the Scottish Government's National Strategy for Economic Transformation Read more here: Executive summary: https://lnkd.in/dA7XjCuH Press release: https://lnkd.in/e6ymRQV4 Full Report: https://lnkd.in/dtwHav5r Thanks to our partners, including Ashira Perera, PhD, Jenny Merriman, Adarsh Varma, and team, inluding Ian Dickie, Karli Jeffery, Paul Chung, #Scotland #Nature #economy #naturalcapital #valuation #economics

I had the privilege of attending the Impact Investment Symposium – Driving the Future Evolution of ESG at Edinburgh Napier University. Day two was thoroughly engaging with its practical focus on creating pathways for sustainable forestry. The balance between Innovation, Application, and Investment provided a comprehensive approach to addressing key industry challenges. The Investing for Impact Hub has a huge potential - a step forward for sustainable innovation and collective action in forestry management, enabling Scotland to be a leading force. The opportunities for technical solutions in this sector are vast, and the collaborative energy throughout the sessions was inspiring. What do you think are the main challenges we face in growing sustainable forest management? #SustainableForestry #ESGLeadership #ForestManagement #ForestInvestment

We’re diving into the second day of the Impact Investment Symposium - Driving the Future Evolution of ESG, at Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart Campus! Today’s Highlights: Morning: Shifting to the demand side, we’re focusing on building investable projects and portfolios, with a powerful agenda of stakeholder engagement and collaborative workshops. Afternoon: A transformative moment for the industry—the launch of the Investing for Impact Hub, a groundbreaking platform for sustainable innovation, collective action, and impactful partnerships. 🌟 The Investing for Impact Hub Launch promises to unlock new pathways for innovation, engagement, and investment, empowering Scotland to lead in sustainable forestry. This is more than a symposium—it’s a rallying cry to align efforts, set shared goals, and commit to tangible leadership in ESG. We are grateful to Edinburgh Napier University, Greenbank Investments, CGI, and International Sustainable Forestry Coalition for supporting this vital initiative. 🌳 #ImpactInvestment #ESGLeadership #SustainableForestry #GreenFinance #CollectiveAction #InvestingForImpact #Scotland Dr. Wendy Wu, Ph.D. SFHEA - Knowledge into Action Barbara Kidd Mary Jane Brouwers Ron Aitken Professor Nikos Antonopoulos

Many thanks to Thomas Cox for the article on our participation to the "Natural Capital - Market Framework: Engagement Paper", recently published by the Environment and Forestry Directorate by the Scottish Government. The paper serves as a blueprint for those dedicated to enhancing #Scotland's and the #UK's natural assets. By aligning government initiatives with private sector innovation and community interests, we create a sustainable path forward. With the potential to generate £17 billion for the #Scottish economy, it underscores the dual environmental and economic gains from such investments. As our CEO Cain Blythe, stated speaking to Carbon Pulse, "[...] Alongside key standards such as the emerging BSI Flex 701 Nature Markets - Overarching Principles and Framework, we believe that it is essential that organisations such as CreditNature not only help shape these frameworks and standards, but also demonstrate how approaches such as our nature credits, can maintain high integrity outcomes that deliver multiple benefits for nature, the economy and society." https://lnkd.in/e9eQGv5y

New guidance from CDP and Earth Innovation Institute outlines how to effectively engage investors in landscape and jurisdictional initiatives. The guidance is designed specifically for practitioners and proponents of landscape and jurisdictional initiatives and aims to bridge the gap between these initiatives and the investors who can fuel their growth towards sustainable, nature-positive, and socially-inclusive rural development. You can access the new guidance here: https://lnkd.in/eKXY6iM5 #Deforestation #Landscapes #Sustainable #NaturePositive #RuralDevelopment

🌍 Climate is Changing, and So Should Our Investments 🌱   Our Co-founder and Managing partner Stavros Siokos co-hosted with @ Marion Maloney of Environment Agency Pension Fund an in-person masterclass organized by Pensions for Purpose focusing on maximizing the impact of institutional capital by investing in forestry and agriculture in the Global South.   As the effects of climate change intensify, it’s clear that solutions and opportunities require a global perspective. The Global South presents a unique and critical opportunity for institutional investors to achieve great returns while driving meaningful impact. Here's why: 🌦️ Optimal climatic conditions: The Global South boasts abundant water and land availability, making it ideal for sustainable agriculture and forestry. 🌳 Accelerated growth and impact: Trees in South America, South East Asia or sub-Saharan Africa grow several times faster than those in Northern Europe or North America and absorb significantly more CO₂. 🌏 Global issues require global solutions: Climate change and food security transcend borders. Allocating resources where they can deliver maximum results is essential for building a sustainable future. Stable economies and jurisdictions in the Global South offer immense potential for institutional capital. By empowering communities in these regions, we can address climate challenges, enhance food security, and unlock tremendous economic value. 📢 It’s time to think beyond borders. If we aim for high returns with the greatest impact, the Global South must be at the center of our strategies. #ClimateChange #GlobalSouth #ImpactInvesting #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #InstitutionalInvestors #naturalcapital #greeninvestments

🌿 Exciting news for Nature Based Solutions for Agriculture initiatives! USAID's Climate Finance for Development Accelerator (CFDA) has released a call for concept notes under the Nature-Based Solutions for Agricultural Resilience Window (NBS4Ag). Stay updated on the details below. #USAID #ClimateFinance #DevelopmentAccelerator #NBS4Ag 🌍🌱

Second article in the series about the broader impact of G4AW. This article focuses on the importance of collaboration with a strong, local partner. @Inclusive Green Growth Department. The Netherlands invested in the Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW) program for ten years. In this series, protagonists look back and look to the future. Today: Fons Nelen, co-founder of IT agency Nelen & Schuurmans, 'Geodata and digitalization were central from the start. That was new in development cooperation.' https://lnkd.in/g6c3s447

🌲 Recognition of the crucial role of emissions from the Forestry, Land and Agricultural (#FLAG) sectors has increased rapidly in recent years. These sectors play a pivotal role in addressing climate change - both in terms of mitigation and sequestration potential. From May 2023, many companies with SBTi targets are required to submit FLAG targets upon (re)submission of their #SBTi targets. But target setting and accounting are still in the early stages of development and tracking FLAG emissions is complex. 🤔 If you are curious to know more about FLAG target setting, join us on Thursday 11 April from 9am-10am CEST: 🎙 Shane Hughes, Director of Corporate Net Zero Services, at Ramboll Management Consulting UK and speakers from UN Global Compact participating companies: 🎙 Caroline Westerik-Sikking, Director of Sustainability, AAK 🎙 Lars Lundahl, Environmental Manager, Orkla ASA will discuss key aspects of the SBTi's FLAG target-setting framework, some key challenges and recommendations, and share their experiences. Register for the webinar and download the business brief here: https://lnkd.in/diWwBQY4 This webinar is open for all. It is the 3rd webinar in the "Dilemmas in Science­ Based Climate Action" webinar series hosted by the UN Global Compact Nordic Networks: https://lnkd.in/dHyfSjps 🌍 #ClimateAction #Sustainability The project was a collaboration with Nordic colleagues Karoliina Koistila (UN Global Compact Network Finland), Joachim Marc Christensen (UN Global Compact Network Denmark), Magnus Mellgren & Mattias Svensson (UN Global Compact Network Sweden), Ramboll Management Consulting, with support from the The Nordic Council of Ministers and The Nordic Council.