Episode 16: Takeaways from NY Climate Week 2023

SCN host Julia Strong and field correspondent Morrison Mast report from New York Climate Week 2023, bringing listeners voices from the Brazilian Amazon, London, New York, and more to experience one of the climate community’s biggest weeks and understand the state-of-play of nature-based solutions during this tumultuous time in carbon markets. In this episode, we share our takeaways from climate week by sharing recordings from panels and conversations at Nature4Climate’s Nature Positive Hub throughout the week. Our three main takeaways were:NY Climate Week should be rebranded to Nature and Climate Week given the plethora of not only climate but also nature focused events.Indigenous peoples are increasingly included in the conversation and recognized as critical and influential stewards of and stakeholders in nature-based solutions. Concern about the current state of the market exists alongside optimism about ongoing efforts to resolve current issues and a general belief in the importance of this tool to protect, restore, and better manage nature for climate, biodiversity, and nature outcomes. Other themes covered include:  Increasing corporate engagement in nature conservation and NbS spurred by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.Alignment between climate action and biodiversity conservation via 30x30 commitments and Convention on Biological Diversity.The importance of indigenous sovereignty in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.Balancing necessary improvements with optimism, and views from some of the world's largest REDD+ project developers on rebuilding trust in carbon markets.Featured Voices (in order of appearance):Lucy Almond, Chair, Nature4Climate and Strategic Communications Lead for Nature-based Solutions at World Economic ForumRoman Czebiniak, Nature Based Solutions & Climate Private Sector Lead, WRIEric Wilburn, founder and principal consultant, NatureBridgeVicky Tauli-Corpuz, former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples from a Nia Tero panelNemonte Nequimo, Indigenous activist, member of the Waorani Nation from the Amazonian Region of Ecuador, and co-founder of the Indigenous-led nonprofit organization Ceibo Alliance from a Nia Tero panelNara Baré, Indigenous leader and first woman elected to lead Coordination of the Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), BrazilRenat Heuberger, co-Founder South PoleJoshua Tosteson, President, Everland from a Nature Positive Hub panelWant to learn more? Check out these websites for more information on the organizations, efforts, and events mentioned in the podcast: Nature Positive Hub Day One AgendaNature Positive Hub Day Two AgendaNature Positive Hub Day Three AgendaNature Positive Hub NYCW 2023 panel recordingsNature for ClimateTaskforce for Nature-related Financial DisclosuresIntegrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM)Nia TeroNew Yorker article on South Pole’s Kariba ProjectSouth Pole announces senior leadership changeInterviews and panels recorded on: September 18th-22nd, 2023Solving Climate, Naturally commentary recorded on: November 5th, 2023