In our tenth episode, we dive into a topic that blends economics, environmental policy, and global conservation efforts—conservation finance.

We speak with Ashani Basnayake, a policy researcher, to unpack what conservation finance is and how tools like debt-for-nature swaps can support large-scale environmental protection. Ashani explains how these mechanisms work, highlights successful case studies—particularly in marine contexts—and discusses their growing relevance in today’s economic and ecological landscape.

This episode offers a clear look at how financing mechanisms can shape conservation outcomes, and why young professionals and practitioners should be paying close attention to this evolving space.