Mobilising Private Finance for Nature

Green Finance Institute / GFI Hive

About Us

In line with the Green Finance Institute’s broader vision of a greener future made possible by finance, GFI Hive’s mission is to increase private investment in nature restoration, nature-based solutions and nature-positive outcomes in and for the UK.

We work with the finance sector, government, academia, environmental NGOs and land managers to identify and unlock barriers to this mission, and act as a knowledge hub on private investment in nature to increase shared learning, best practices and investment appetite.

Read More

Latest Insights

Welcome to GFI Hive
Dec 07 2021
Welcome to GFI Hive - a resource for the growing community of finance professionals and other stakeholders working to increase private investment in nature restoration, nature-based solutions and nature-positive outcomes in and for the UK.
Finance Gap for UK Nature Report
Oct 12 2021
The Green Finance Institute commissioned environmental economics consultancy, eftec, to identify the finance gap across the UK to achieve nature-positive outcomes in order to assess the need for private investment.
Dasgupta Review: A Pathway for Action for the Financial Sector
May 25 2021
The Green Finance Institute convened and consulted with over 40 representatives from banks, asset managers, asset owners, standard setters and conservation finance specialists to respond to the Dasgupta Review’s findings.
View All Insights

Case Studies

Bank of Ireland Woodland Nature Credits

Bank of Ireland acted as arranger on €2 million of Woodland Nature Credits sold to insurance group AXA. The Credit value is derived from carbon sequestration, biodiversity uptick and amenity provision. The Credits are aligned to the EU taxonomy and the Non-Financial Reporting Directive, as well as the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and will result in the reforestation and afforestation of 200 hectares across Ireland, identified and managed by The Nature Trust.

Read more

Aardpeer Retail Bonds for Sustainable Farming Transition

Aardpeer tackles the challenge of increased land prices by working with farmers to lease agricultural land that will enable them to transition to sustainable and nature-friendly farming. The land is acquired by Ardpeer and leased to farmers at affordable rates over a long-term (up to seven generations). Other support is offered to farmers. The land acquisition is funded through foundations and a retail bond issued by Stichting BD Grondbeheer. Some €10 million has been issued to date. 

Read more

View All Case Studies

Latest Podcasts

Episode 5: Eric Letsinger, Founder and CEO, Quantified Ventures
Environmental impact bonds for water quality, carbon and water quality payments for farmers and forest recreational activities paid by motel lodging taxes - just some of the hugely innovative products developed by Quantified Ventures that guest Eric Letsinger shares on this episode of Financing Nature. Plus, what's next for Quantified Ventures.
Listen on Copy RSS
Copied!
Episode 4: Kevin Bender, Senior Director, NatureVest, The Nature Conservancy
Kevin Bender of The Nature Conservancy talks through the intricacies of the recent Belize debt conversion that include a blue loan, insurance from the IDFC, the issuance of blue bonds to investors via Credit Suisse, a Conservation Fund, an endowment and, for good measure, parametric insurance. It's a complex deal, but one that is replicable for other countries with sovereign debt trading at a discount and a commitment to conservation. One to listen to for those interested in complex deal structures and the role of sovereign debt in nature restoration.
Listen on Copy RSS
Copied!
View All Podcasts

Useful Resources

Report: Natural Capital, the Battle for Control

Date Published: January, 2022
Green Alliance's report highlights natural capital investment opportunities and challenges within the UK farming sector, providing a helpful source for the finance sector looking to work with farming communities - while drawing attention to potential risks posed by the emergence of natural capital markets.
Visit Resource

Tool: An Investor Framework for Nature-based Solutions

Date Published: December, 2021
Chatham House's Sustainability Accelerator has developed (through consulting with the finance sector) a learning tool to facilitate the inclusion of nature-based solutions within comprehensive portfolio decarbonization strategies. The framework outlines the drivers of risk and return when analyzing prospects for investing in nature-based solutions - initially focusing on forests.
Visit Resource

Website: Nature Finance Impact Hub

Consultancy Accelar’s Nature Finance Impact Hub launched in October 2021 and offers free registration to access a map of international (and UK) investment deals and funds. It also provides information on ecosystem services, impacts and returns.
Visit Resource

Report: Finance Gap for UK Nature Report

Date Published: October 2021
GFI commissioned environmental economics consultancy, eftec, to assess the finance gap for key nature targets for the UK over the decade ahead. The report highlights a £44 billion to £97 billion gap for the UK and breaks out the gap by region and also by habitat and nature goal ie. clean water, natural flood management, biodiversity protection.
Visit Resource
View All Resources