Two years have passed since COVID-19 first emerged, and efforts are underway to prevent the next pandemic from occurring again. While we are still learning the lessons of COVID-19, experts affirm this won’t be the last time a new or relatively rare infectious disease emerges. Indeed, the current monkeypox outbreak underscores this point. So, how are we going to prevent the next … [Read more...] about Can nature conservation prevent the next pandemic?
Gregory Watson
Gregory Watson leads the IDB's Natural Capital Lab program, funded by the French and UK governments. It works with the IDB Group and partners to drive innovation in financing natural capital and promote the incorporation of biodiversity. It incubates, accelerates and scales new solutions to pressing environmental problems, looking to nature as an asset. Previously, Greg worked at the IDB Lab, where he led the IDB's first equity investment in oceans, an equity investment in a silvopastoral system in Macaúba, developed the first Habitat Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean, supported an asset class for of natural capital and the US$20 million Climate Fund Investment Project for Forests. He also created the EcoMicro green microfinance program, conceptualized Climatescopio and the world's first private sector FIP project in Mexico. Mr. Watson holds a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a bachelor's degree from Tufts University.
Five key IDB actions on nature and biodiversity to look forward to in 2022
As we begin the third year of this zoonotic pandemic, nature action and green finance has become more relevant. A nature positive economy can address the root causes of this health emergency, and unlock $10 trillion of business opportunities by transforming the three economic systems that are responsible for almost 80% of nature loss: food, infrastructure and energy. Over … [Read more...] about Five key IDB actions on nature and biodiversity to look forward to in 2022
How the IDB is scaling up support for Nature-Based Solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean
Nature and biodiversity are taking center stage as a critical theme at COP26 in Glasgow. As governments, the private sector, and multilateral institutions seek to raise ambition in their climate commitments, nature-based solutions (NBS) present a key opportunity to both mitigate and adapt to climate change, while also contributing to other priorities such as economic recovery, … [Read more...] about How the IDB is scaling up support for Nature-Based Solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean
Driving financial innovation and investment for nature-based solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and Caribbean is a biodiversity powerhouse, hosting over 40% of the world’s biodiversity, 12% of its mangrove forests, 10% of its coral reefs and its largest expanse of wetlands. It also faces a pressing need for better protection and management, especially in the face of climate change. Latin America and the Caribbean lost more … [Read more...] about Driving financial innovation and investment for nature-based solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean
The post-covid recovery must be an investment in nature
Although our economies are bound by the important asset of nature, we continue to underinvest it in. This is the powerful argument set out by the Dasgupta Review, a recently published independent global report commissioned by the UK Treasury to study the economics of biodiversity. It focusses on how we, as a global community, must rethink the way nature and … [Read more...] about The post-covid recovery must be an investment in nature