In this compelling interview, Erik Grigoryan explores why Armenia’s exceptional biodiversity matters not just for nature lovers, but for the world at large. He explains how Armenia belongs to two of the world’s major biodiversity hotspots and how this rich natural heritage provides crucial services to local communities. Erik sheds light on the hidden economic value of ecosystems and the urgent need to protect them. This talk makes the case for stronger environmental policy, smarter financing, and broader pu ...

Climate Finance - Climate finance needs to increase from $300 billion to $1.3 trillion [1] - Brazil proposes a 'tropical forest forever' facility [1] - The 'tropical forest forever' facility aims for a $125 billion fund [1]

Group 1 - Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) announced a $160 million debt financing for its long-term client BTG Pactual, provided by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) [1] - This financing is a 7-year senior unsecured loan and is part of a series of transactions totaling $1.1 billion facilitated by EMGA for BTG [1] - The transaction reinforces BTG's position as a leading bank in Brazil's ESG investment sector and supports its growth in the water and sanitation investment area [1] Group 2 - EMGA has facilitated nearly $2 billion in investments in Brazil to date, highlighting the country's significance as a key market [1] - AIIB is recognized as the world's second-largest multilateral development bank, focusing on economic development and social progress in the Asian region [2] - EMGA operates in London and New York, assisting financial institutions and companies in seeking new debt or equity capital, with a track record of over $9 billion in debt and private equity transactions in emerging markets [2]

Group 1: Urgency of Climate Action in Transportation - The transportation sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, with developing countries experiencing a faster growth rate in emissions compared to developed nations, potentially becoming the primary contributors to CO2 emissions from transportation in the future [1][31] - To achieve the 1.5°C climate target, significant increases in green and resilient transportation investments are required, estimated at $417 billion annually from 2015 to 2030, which represents an increase of 1.3% of GDP [1][31] Group 2: Current Climate Financing Landscape and Barriers - Global climate financing averaged approximately $1.27 trillion annually from 2021 to 2022, but developing countries received insufficient funding, with only 3% of total climate finance directed towards least developed countries [2][32] - The majority of financing for low-carbon transport in developing countries comes from development finance institutions (DFIs), while private sector investment is more prevalent in developed nations [2][33] - Key barriers to mobilizing climate finance include a lack of bankable projects, insufficient market demand, and inadequate risk allocation among stakeholders [3][34] Group 3: Innovative Financing Approaches and Policy Recommendations - Blended financing models that combine concessional funds with commercial capital can help scale up investments and reduce transaction costs, particularly in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa [4][38] - Establishing carbon pricing mechanisms can internalize external costs of emissions and generate funds for green investments, while optimizing funding mechanisms can incentivize climate action [4][36] - Governments should set specific climate action goals for transportation, incorporate climate scenarios into strategic planning, and enhance public spending efficiency to support the transition to low-carbon transport systems [4][39]