Nature finance

Summary

This course explores the many financial instruments that can come as a support for protection and regeneration of natural assets.

Content

Keywords

Nature - Finance - NbS - Technologies - Case study

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Basic knowledge of Finance is a plus but not a pre-requisite.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Discuss scientific concepts related to nature
• Propose financial solutions as a support to natural assets
• Defend the relevance of Nature for our economic and social systems
• Visualize the job market ecosystem related to Nature Finance

Transversal skills

• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
• Negotiate effectively within the group.
• Respect relevant legal guidelines and ethical codes for the profession.
• Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
• Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
• Write a scientific or technical report.

Teaching methods

In class sessions + Homeworks (mainly readings or videos)

Assessment methods

- In class knowledge evaluation on key numebrs related to the topic (10%)

- At home work on estimating value of a natural asset (10%)

- One mid-term session on Nature Finance tools (20%)

- One Final exam as Poster presentation or start-up pitch (60%)

Resources

Bibliography

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Notes/Handbook

Podcasts:

• Https://open.spotify.com/show/7cjMRLbOk1YdAlzh9gehig
• Https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/page/naturefinanceoxford-podcast
• Https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/serie-nature-vs-economie
• https://www.iied.org/nature-finance-whats-being-done-it-working-make-change-happen-podcast-episode-34

 

• Brokering finance deals to fund nature restoration with Rob Gardner: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/brokering-finance-deals-to-fund-nature-restoration/id16851967 
• https://www.pensionsforpurpose.com/knowledge-centre/Podcasts/2024/07/17/Biodiversity-and-nature-P4P : Biodiversity and nature - P4P Podcast - S1 Ep2 – Charlotte Moore, Richard Giles and Robert Gardner discuss the importance of making nature an investable asset.

 

Readings:

• Sapiens (Yuval Noah Harar) Chapter IV
• Https://www.afd.fr/en/ressources/little-book-investing-nature
• Https://www.wri.org/research/financial-sector-guidebook-nature-based-solutions-investment
• Birnam Wood - Eleanor Catton (Fiction - Psych thriller which was really good)
• Lagoon by Nnedi Okarafor (Fiction - is a wild ride of African-futuristic writing, where nature is utterly terrifying, recommend twice)
• Wilding - Isabella Tree (explains ecological concepts incredibly well and simply, is uplifting)

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/MGT-541

Videos

• https://youtu.be/tdfh-N7ifMM?si=JodKqQDx0UbaJgRX