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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

More pathways

Ready to get started?

Our Platform

Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

Engage with our video hotspots and knowledge check-ins

Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

Connect Sustainability Unlocked to your current platform

Featured Content

More featured content

The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Designing Nature Markets I

Designing Nature Markets I

Ralph Chami

CEO & Co-founder: Blue Green Future

In this video, Ralph Chami discusses the prerequisites for successful nature markets and the potential challenges. Ralph also discusses the risks and potential negative outcomes of nature markets. Finally he outlines what the future holds for nature markets.

In this video, Ralph Chami discusses the prerequisites for successful nature markets and the potential challenges. Ralph also discusses the risks and potential negative outcomes of nature markets. Finally he outlines what the future holds for nature markets.

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Designing Nature Markets I

13 mins 58 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand what is required for the effective design of nature markets

  • Outline the challenges, risks and potential negative outcomes of nature markets

  • Understand the future of nature markets and how they will develop

Overview:

To effectively design nature markets several key conditions must be met: natural asset owners should sell environmental services and invest in conservation; local and indigenous communities must be primary labor sources; and focus should be on existing markets like carbon trading. Careful market design requires avoiding negative outcomes, ethical revenue management, robust governance, and honouring indigenous roles. Despite challenges like potential exploitation and market monopolisation, nature markets promise to align economic incentives with conservation, fostering equity, sustainability, and climate resilience. The Taskforce on Nature Markets advocates for a framework valuing nature as an asset, essential for a sustainable economy.

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Summary
What are the requirements for creating effective nature markets?
 
For nature markets to function effectively, it's essential that natural asset owners commit to selling environmental services, with a significant portion of revenues earmarked for conservation and restoration efforts. Labour should predominantly come from local and indigenous communities, ensuring that those with generational ties to the land play a central role in stewardship while benefiting economically. A successful launch strategy would build upon existing ecosystem service markets, particularly carbon trading, to capitalise on established mechanisms and investor interest. The foundation of such markets must also include transparent governance structures that prevent corruption and mismanagement, establishing investor and public confidence in the market's integrity and purpose.

What are the potential challenges, risks and negative outcomes of nature markets?

Nature markets confront several challenges, including the complex task of accurately valuing ecosystem services, which can lead to mispricing and resource misallocation. There's the risk of market monopolisation by large entities, leading to unequal benefit distribution and potential exploitation of natural resources for short-term gains, which undermines long-term sustainability. Other risks include exacerbating social inequities, as the wealthy could potentially profit from environmental services while the poor suffer the consequences of environmental degradation. To avoid such outcomes, stringent ethical standards, regulatory oversight, and equitable frameworks are essential to ensure that nature markets contribute positively to environmental and social welfare.

How can nature markets be effectively designed for the future?

Designing future-oriented nature markets involves creating a robust framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of benefits. This requires a clear definition of natural capital, innovative financial instruments tailored to align with conservation goals, and strong verification systems to prevent fraud and ensure integrity. To counteract regulatory arbitrage, international cooperation to harmonise standards is vital. Outreach efforts are necessary to educate and engage all stakeholders—from policymakers to indigenous communities—about the benefits and operations of nature markets. By incorporating principles from alternative economic models, such as the doughnut and butterfly economies, markets can promote sustainable and inclusive growth within ecological limits.

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Ralph Chami

Ralph Chami

Ralph Chami, a 32-year-old financial economist, has been at the International Monetary Fund for 23 years and is currently the Assistant Director of the Institute for Capacity Development. He founded Blue Green Future, a strategy to combat climate change and biodiversity loss, focusing on species like whales and elephants as allies. Ralph has experience working with low-income and fragile states, providing policy advice, training, and capacity development on macro-financial economic policy. His expertise includes remittances, inclusive growth, financial markets development, banking regulation, and valuing natural capital.

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