The Next Big ESG Investment: How Companies Are Monetizing Conservation

Conservation is no longer just a corporate responsibility—it’s a strategic advantage.

In this episode of The Sustainability Experts podcast, Vanessa Thompson speaks with Kevin Whilden, co-Founder at SeaTrees / Sustainable Surf, to discuss how businesses are integrating coastal ecosystem restoration into their sustainability strategies—and why the next wave of impact investments may be in biodiversity credits.

Key discussion points:

Why tree planting is becoming a billion-dollar market—and how SeaTrees perfected the $1 per tree pricing model

How brands like Virgin Voyages and Bank of the West are leveraging conservation to drive impact and customer engagement

Why biodiversity credits are the next major sustainability investment—and how early adopters stand to benefit

The missing piece in corporate storytelling—and how businesses can use conservation to build stronger stakeholder trust

Companies are spending millions on sustainability—are they doing it effectively? This episode provides real-world insights into conservation as a business strategy, offering tangible takeaways for leaders looking to invest in climate resilience.