There is a nature financing gap. The precise numbers vary but plans to close the gap partially rely on the reallocation of harmful subsidies to nature-based solutions. This paper briefly examines whether such a strategy is realistic. We observe that a range of countries have successfully eliminated subsidies – so it can be done – but others failed. We need to learn how the former delivered subsidy reform, and why others were unsuccessful.

Financial markets spend much of their time focused on risk and return metrics. The generally accepted relationship is that one needs to take on more investment risk to realise a higher return. If the investor is unwilling to take on risk, they should expect to receive the risk-free rate – e.g. a risk-free bond. But this assumes efficient pricing. Planet Tracker believes that the risks of synthetic chemicals are not being correctly priced by financial markets. A reassessment of the risk premium applied to producers and users of these substances looks wise.

Planet Tracker joins with Vizzuality for a “nature footprinting” study which highlights the urgent need for corporations to improve supply chain traceability.

Planet Tracker and Vizzuality have partnered on a “nature footprinting” study, highlighting how external analysis can expose a company’s environmental risk hotspots, even without full procurement data. This report features Nestlé as a case study and underscores the critical role transparency plays across supply chains. With technology advancing, companies that don’t adopt advanced traceability systems are exposed to rising reputational risk.

On behalf of GEFI, Carbon Tracker Initiative and Planet Tracker, thank you for your interest in our Pre-COP16 (Biodiversity) / COP29 (Climate) webinar, that took place on Thursday 3rd October 2024.

As COP16 nears, the expectations for financial institutions to step up their efforts are higher than ever. The need for established frameworks, clear direction from governments, and the mobilisation of private finance are central to the discussions. COP16 presents an opportunity to refine the role of financial institutions in the global biodiversity agenda, ensuring that private finance is not only aligned with but actively driving the conservation efforts needed to address the biodiversity crisis. This blog explores what financial institutions need to know before the UN Biodiversity (COP16).

Report from Planet Tracker urges investors to address the financial risks associated with toxic chemicals, which are key drivers of environmental damage, as well as being responsible for chronic and acute impacts on human health.

The release of novel entities — artificial chemicals and other human-made pollutants — into the biosphere, has accelerated to a point that they have exceeded their planetary boundary, threatening the Earth operating system, along with humanity. Planet Tracker’s latest report, ‘Novel Entities – A Financial Time Bomb’, presents a detailed analysis of the risks of one of Earth’s nine boundaries, novel entities. The report highlights their risk to both human and planetary health and warns investors of the significant financial risk they face from not considering their potential impact.

Meet the Planet Tracker team at COP16, 21 October – 1 November, 2024.

Our paper ‘Exposing Water Risk’ has won the Best Sustainable Investment Thought Leadership Paper at the Investment Week 2024 Sustainable Investment Awards.