Conservation International and Bregal Investments have announced a strategic partnership wherein Conservation International will serve as the impact advisor to Bregal’s dedicated natural capital strategy, known as Bregal Sphere Nature. This initiative focuses on investing in high-quality Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects aimed at protecting and restoring nature, combating climate change and biodiversity loss, and supporting livelihoods in farming communities on a large scale.
Specifically, Bregal Sphere Nature will channel capital into long-term carbon removal projects within agricultural value chains. This effort targets assisting corporates in achieving ambitious Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) targets, alongside other nature-related commitments. The strategy also includes investments in complementary reforestation projects and mangrove restoration activities in adjacent landscapes.
The United Nations Environment Programme highlights a substantial annual funding gap of $520 billion for NbS by 2050, underscoring the critical need for private sector involvement. Despite this, private capital contributed only 18% of total NbS investment in 2023.
The collaboration aims to bridge this financing gap by leveraging Conservation International’s extensive 35+ years of experience in conservation and restoration, combined with Bregal’s proven track record in managing and raising private capital funds. Together, they intend to deliver NbS projects that prioritize both high-impact outcomes and financial returns, setting robust impact criteria as a cornerstone.
As part of this partnership, Conservation International will provide impact advisory services to Bregal Sphere Nature, assisting in the development of internal processes and frameworks aligned with best practices for conservation and restoration. Additionally, Conservation International will facilitate the establishment of an Impact Advisory Committee to oversee project de-risking and ensure alignment with the strategy’s impact criteria.
Bjorn Stauch, SVP of Conservation Finance at Conservation International, emphasized the significance of carbon finance in mitigating on-farm emissions and addressing climate change and biodiversity loss threats faced by smallholder farmers globally. He highlighted the potential of these investments to promote biodiversity, secure agricultural supply chains, and protect farmer livelihoods, underscoring the initiative’s commitment to maximizing impact for people, nature, and climate.
Agustin Silvani, Managing Partner of Bregal Sphere Nature, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Conservation International to enhance their impact. He stressed the importance of restoring nature to transform vulnerable agricultural landscapes into resilient carbon sinks, citing previous investments in innovative projects like PUR and reaffirming their commitment to driving transformative change at scale and pace in this decade of restoration.
Overall, the partnership between Conservation International and Bregal Sphere Nature represents a significant step towards mobilizing private finance for nature-based solutions, aiming to achieve substantial environmental and social benefits while delivering financial returns.
