The Green Hour

In the seventh (and final) episode of our series, we discuss public policy driving biodiversity with Catalina Gongora, Policy Leader in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy, and Karen Oliveira, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations in Brazil for The Nature Conservancy.

In this episode, we explore:

• Policy's role in biodiversity conservation
• Biodiversity policies in Latin America
• Bioeconomy in Pará State
• Significance of COP30 for Brazil

In the sixth episode of our series, we dive into regenerative agriculture and ranching with Mauricio Nuñez Regueiro, Gran Chaco Lead for The Nature Conservancy.

In this episode, we explore:

• Regenerative Agriculture Principles
• Latin America's Role in the Global Food Supply Chain
• The Agriculture Industry's Environmental Impact
• Scaling Regenerative Practices Globally

In the fifth episode of our series, we dive into finance mechanisms driving biodiversity conservation with Daniel Ballesta Quintana, Director of Sustainable Debt, Americas, and Julie Robinson, Belize Program Director, both from The Nature Conservancy.

In this episode, we explore:

• Finance mechanisms for conservation
• Traditional and innovative funding methods
• Scaling funding methods into larger countries
• The potential of Nature Bonds

In the fourth episode of this series, we sit down with Silvia Benitez to talk about freshwater biodiversity and protection in Latin America. Silvia is the Freshwater Director for The Nature Conservancy in Latin America.

In this episode:

• Economic, environmental, and social impacts of freshwater biodiversity
• Current threats to freshwater ecosystems
• Balancing development and conservation
• Nature-based solutions and water funds

In the third episode of this series, we sit down with Isai Victorino and Gabriela Celi to learn about the impact of indigenous communities inside the Amazon Rainforest. Isai Victorino is the Community-Based Conservation Leader in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy, and Gabriela Celi is the Coordinator of the Amazon Conservation Strategy in Ecuador for The Nature Conservancy.

In this episode:

• Indigenous Communities in the Amazon Basin
• Indigenous Communities' Role in Climate Adaptation
• Threats to Indigenous Territories and Communities
• The Nature Conservancy's work with Indigenous Communities in the Amazon Rainforest.

In the second episode of this series, we sit down with Tomas Walschburger, Senior Scientist in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy, to learn about the unparalleled bird species biodiversity in Colombia. Our discussion covers:

• Colombia's rich biodiversity history
• Colombian bird biodiversity and its global significance
• Importance of COP16 CBD in Cali, Colombia
• The Nature Conservancy's efforts to protect bird species

In the first episode in this series, we sit down with Ian Thompson, Director of Accelerate Impact in Latin America for The Nature Conservancy, to delve into the critical topic of biodiversity in the Amazon Rainforest. Our discussion covers:

• TNC's Conservation Efforts: Insight into The Nature Conservancy's initiatives to protect the Amazon Rainforest.
• Importance of Biodiversity: Understanding the ecological roles and human benefits of biodiversity.
• Amazon's Species Diversity: An overview of the vast array of species inhabiting the Amazon.
• Threats to Biodiversity: The impacts of deforestation and climate change on the Amazon's delicate ecosystem.

This seven-episode series explores the biodiversity within Latin America, with a special focus on the Amazon Rainforest. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Latin America, ten leaders discuss a range of topics focused on biodiversity. These topics include bird species, freshwater protection, indigenous communities, regenerative agriculture, finance mechanisms, and policy. Join us over the next 7 weeks as we journey through Latin America to understand the region’s biodiversity and learn about The Nature Conservancy's work in the region.

The Biodiversity Series: Conversations from Latin America

• Ep. 1: Overview of the Amazon Rainforest and Biodiversity with Ian Thompson, Director to Accelerate Impact in the Latin America Region for The Nature Conservancy
• Ep. 2: Biodiversity in Colombia: Birds with Tomas Walschburger, Senior Scientist in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy
• Ep. 3: Freshwater Protection and Biodiversity with Silvia Benitez, Freshwater Director in Latin America for The Nature Conservancy
• Ep. 4: The Role of Indigenous Communities in the Amazon Rainforest with Gabriela Celi, Coordinator of the Ecuadorian Amazon Strategy for The Nature Conservancy, and Isai Victorino, Community-Based Conservation Leader in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy
• Ep. 5: Finance Mechanisms for Biodiversity with Daniel Ballesta Quintana, Director of Sustainable Debt in the Americas for The Nature Conservancy, and Julie Robinson, Belize Program Director for the Nature Conservancy
• Ep. 6: Regenerative Agriculture with Mauricio Nunez Regueiro, Gran Chaco Lead for The Nature Conservancy
• Ep. 7: Policy Driving Biodiversity with Catalina Gongora, Policy Leader in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy, and Karen Oliveira, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations in Brazil for The Nature Conservancy

On this episode of The Green Hour, we sit down with Elba Pareja-Gallagher to explore the critical role of stakeholder engagement in large companies. Elba is the founder of the Sustainability Navigator, which helps small and medium-sized businesses adopt sustainable practices, and ShowMe50% Women Leading, an organization aiming to achieve 50% women in senior leadership roles by transforming workplace cultures and talent management.

Elba spent 26 years of her career at UPS spanning business functions finance, accounting, and sustainability. As the former Sustainability Director of Stakeholder Engagement at UPS, Elba founded the Sustainability Trailblazers, an initiative designed to engage and empower UPS employees worldwide to advocate for and drive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) causes. Under Elba's leadership, the program expanded to 8,000 employees around the world.

On this episode of The Green Hour, we sit down with Nes Parker to discuss the role of government in driving sustainability progress. Nes Parker leads Sustainability, Climate, and Equity efforts for Deloitte’s Government & Public Services Practice. Deloitte recently published a pioneering study on government sustainability leaders and their progress on climate action. Their survey of 435 public sector CxOs reveals that while agencies are making strides in decarbonizing operations, other sustainability goals lag due to barriers like administrative rigidity and lack of climate literacy.

Join us for a conversation on green policy (Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and CHIPS and Science Act), the government's role in advancing sustainability, and strategies to accelerate the clean energy transition.