Insights from the UN Ocean Conference: mainstreaming sustainable blue finance

What an insightful and exciting time its been at the UN Ocean Conference (and associated events) in Nice! Great to see so many ocean friends and progress in key areas such as accelerating blue finance, sustainable use of the high seas, and pollution.

Delivering opening remarks for Biodiversity Credit Alliance event at UN Ocean Conference

Today I will be delighted to give the opening remarks for the Biodiversity Credit Alliances event on "Marine Biodiversity Credits: Applying High-level Principles to Coastal & Ocean Ecosystems" during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.

Moderating event on UK Overseas Territories by the Marine Conservation Society

I'm looking forward to moderating "Amplifying best practice in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories", an online event by the Marine Conservation Society during the UN Ocean Conference.

Speaking at UNIDOs event on Advancing Blue Industry for Sustainable Development at UN Ocean Conference

I'm looking forward to speaking at UNIDOs Green Zone event on Advancing Blue Industry for Sustainable Development as part of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.

Speaking at Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum in Athens

I'm looking forward to speaking about Maritime Cooperation Safeguarding the Blue Economy and Marine Biodiversity at Circle the Med - The Mediterranean Forum in Athens on 4th June. As maritime regions face increasing environmental and security challenges, this session will explore collaborative solutions for sustainable blue growth and maritime security.

Moderated launch webinar for the Ocean Investment Protocol

I moderated the launch webinar for the Ocean Investment Protocol, with excellent speakers from the UN Global Compact, the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, the European Investment Bank, IDB-Invest, Barclays, Lloyds of London, and Orsted. The Protocol was co-published by the UN Global Compact and UNEP FI.

International Biodiversity Day: Celebrating harmony with nature and sustainable development

Happy International Biodiversity Day, celebrating harmony with nature and sustainable development! Great to be at the National Oceanography Centre's Parliamentary reception (sponsored by Barry Gardiner MP) last night, highlighting the importance of research for ocean health, biodiversity and prosperity.

Enabling a sustainable blue future through One Ocean Finance

Great to be in Busan, Korea, for the Our Ocean Conference and the One Ocean Finance Busan Dialogue Series! One Ocean Finance, a financing facility for a sustainable blue future, is a planned public-private development finance mechanism being conceptualised by UNEP, UNCDF, UNDP, UN Global Compact, IUCN, ORRAA, WEF, WRI and Catalytic Finance.

Speaking at IEMA webinar on the blue economy and financing marine renewable energy opportunities

This week I'll be joining a webinar organised by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) to speak about the blue economy and financing marine renewable energy opportunities. Fellow speakers include David Luck, Sustainability & Finance; Holly Niner, University of Plymouth; and Kris Atkinson, Fidelity International.

Attending the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan

I'm looking forward to being in Busan, Korea, for the 10th Our Ocean Conference next week. The conference has chosen the theme 'Our Ocean, Our Action' to promote global actions for a sustainable ocean. My mission is to highlight how financial institutions can have a major impact on ocean health, prosperity and biodiversity.

Speaking about the zero-pollution ocean, the Global Plastics Treaty and global standards for blue data at the World Ocean Summit

Great to be back in Tokyo for Economist Impact's 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo. I spoke at sessions on "The zero-pollution ocean: risk and opportunities", "How to drive solutions for the success of the Global Plastics Treaty" and "How to shape global standards for blue data, technology and capacity building".

Speaking at Economist Impact’s 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo in Tokyo

I am looking forward to speaking at Economist Impact's 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo in Tokyo, Japan, on 12th-13th March. I will join panels on the zero-pollution ocean, the Global Plastics Treaty and global standards for blue data, technology and capacity building.

Bali Ocean Days: Aligning investment, underwriting and lending activities with building a sustainable blue economy

I spoke about "Aligning investment, underwriting and lending activities with building a sustainable blue economy" at Bali Ocean Days. My contribution was part of a session on "Impact Finance for a Sustainable Blue Economy". Other sessions focused on marine conservation, technology, seafood, pollution management, and blue carbon. Here I summarise my takeaways from the event.

Speaking about “Impact Finance for a Sustainable Blue Economy” at Bali Ocean Days

I'm looking forward to speaking during the "Impact Finance for a Sustainable Blue Economy" session at Bali Ocean Days! Financial institutions are critical in rebuilding ocean prosperity, restoring biodiversity and regenerating ocean health. I will look at recent development and opportunities in aligning investment, underwriting and lending activities with building a sustainable blue economy.

Joining the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

I'm delighted to join the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) as a Sustainable Blue Economy consultant! Following my time at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), where I focused on Blue Industry, I'm looking forward to focusing on accelerating Blue Finance through UNEP FIs Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative (SBE FI).

Reminiscing about the successes of 2024

What a year it's been! Some of my highlights in 2024 included joining the Board of the Marine Conservation Society, joining the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as Senior Strategic Expert in Blue Economy, having my TEDx talk published, and speaking at several major ocean and climate events such as London Climate Action Week.

How to invest better in the blue economy

I moderated a great session on “How to invest better in the blue economy” at Economist Impact's recent World Ocean Summit in Lisbon. The session focused on how investors can identify companies that combine strong growth potential with a truly sustainable business model.

Moderating two panels on the blue economy for World Ocean Day

This week is World Ocean Day! I am looking forward to moderating two panels on "Financing the Growth of the Blue Economy", organised by Simmons & Simmons and the Marine Conservation Society.

Moderating at Island Finance Forum

This week I will be joining 6,000+ islanders from around the world at the Island Finance Forum organised by Island Innovation. Following an opening keynote by His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr, President, Republic of Palau, I will moderate a session on "Building a Blue Future: Harnessing the Hope of the Ocean".

WOS 2022: Using data to drive investment

It’s Day 3 of Economist Impact’s World Ocean Summit! I moderated a plenary panel discussion on using data to drive investment. I was joined by Dag Sletmo, senior vice-president, DNB; Suzanne Johnson, senior advisor ocean, United Nations Global Compact and head of sustainability, Lloyd’s Register Foundation; and Grant Cavanaugh, chief investment officer, Scoot Science.