PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE on Finance for Nature - 13 January 2025

Explore how finance can support a sustainable future for our planet

IUCN Academy introduces its Professional Certificate on Finance for Nature designed to provide professionals from all backgrounds and sectors with research-informed and practice-infused skills required to navigate the broad spectrum of the finance-nature ecosystem. 

Join this course to identify how the Nature-Finance Nexus is relevant to your organisation and develop a personal project (a policy, a product or a campaign) to kick-start change towards a nature-positive future.
 

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Biodiversity is an indispensable component of life-support systems, but its importance has been neglected to a point that, on some estimates, one million species are now threatened with extinction, raising the spectre of a 6th mass extinction. To curb this trend, efforts have been made to translate the importance of biodiversity and nature conservation in financial terms. One such estimate suggests that USD 44 trillion of economic activity generated each year is highly or moderately dependent on nature (WEF, Nature Risk Rising, 2020). That is more than 50% of global GDP.

It is therefore essential to redirect economic and financial systems towards a nature-positive future.

The IUCN Professional Certificate on Finance for Nature analyses four main aspects of the link between nature and finance. 

• Module 1: Nexus between conservation, biodiversity and finance

         Explore the concept of nature as a natural capital asset and its significance in the global economy.

• Module 2: Governing the Nexus

         Dive into the governance frameworks and how nature-related financial risks are being identified and regulated.

• Module 3: The data challenge

         Review a range of financial tools, the existing gaps and challenges.

• Module 4: Instruments of change

         Assess nature conservation as a primary target for finance in public and private ventures and as a measure of performance.
 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS COURSE?

• Financial industry professionals

• Conservation professionals

• Government officials

• Private sector and environmental professionals

• Professionals from intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations
   

WHY TAKE THIS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE?

• Empowerment through knowledge: Gain insights into how finance can support a nature-positive future, equipping yourself with the necessary skills to navigate the Nature-Finance Nexus.
• Addressing urgent environmental challenges: Contribute to addressing pressing environmental challenges by understanding the economic implications of biodiversity loss and learning how finance can play a pivotal role in conservation efforts.
• Enhanced professional development: Develop practical skills and knowledge that are highly relevant across sectors, positioning yourself as a leader in sustainable finance and conservation.
• Networking opportunities: Connect with professionals from diverse backgrounds, including finance, conservation, government, and NGOs, to foster collaborations and expand your professional network.
• Industry recognition: Earn a Professional Certificate from the IUCN Academy, validating your expertise and commitment to advancing finance for nature conservation.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of this Professional Certificate, you will be able to:

• Navigate a vast flow of financial information and identify relevant and reliable data and tools necessary for your sector or project needs.

• Evaluate abstract and highly technical scientific knowledge from a range of sources and connect it to financial markets and transactions.

• Identify a variety of financial instruments established and/or emerging in the area of finance in relation to nature.

• Understand the legal and regulatory framework within which finance and nature conservation operations unfold.

• Develop a financial strategy for your organisation informed by the knowledge and practice acquired through the course.
   

COURSE DETAILS

🕒 Start date: 13 January 2025

🕒 End date:17 February 2025

For a detailed schedule, click here

🕒 Live session timing:

The live sessions are scheduled from 14:00 to 16:00 CET.

If there are enough participants, IUCN Academy may decide to open an additional track from 09:00 to 11:00 CEST. 

🕒 Duration: 5 weeks

🕒 Weekly effort estimated: 3 to 5 Hours

📖 Course type: Self-paced E-learning with 12 hours of live online sessions with University of Cambridge Prof. Jorge E. Viñuales and guest speakers.

📖 Course includes: 4 modules, group work and individual projects

🗨️ Language: English
 

Registration: OPEN 

Award:   Professional Certificate on successful completion
 

FEES:

• IUCN Commission members: 33% discount on the non-profit rate.

• Young Commission members (under 35): 50% discount on the non-profit rate.

• IUCN Members organisations: up to 75% discount depending on category of membership as detailed here

• Non-Profit Organisations:  1’450 CHF 

• For-Profit Organisations:   1’950 CHF

• A number of partial scholarships are available for nationals from developing countries and LDCs, contact academy@iucn.org for more information.

• IUCN Staff: sign up via this link. 

FOR A SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION, PARTICIPANTS MUST:

• Attend 4 of the 6 live online sessions.

• Complete individual and group projects.
   

WHO IS LEADING THE COURSE?

This course is developed and facilitated by Prof. Jorge E. Viñuales, a Harold Samuel Professor and Chair of Law and Environmental Policy at the University of Cambridge in UK.