Lisa Mandle - Lead Scientist at Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project and Lead Author of Green Growth That Works.

Climate Finance Podcast

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Dr. Lisa Mandle is a Lead Scientist and the Director of Science-Software Integration at Stanford University’s Natural Capital (NatCap) Project.

She is the lead author/editor of Green Growth That Works: Natural Capital Policy and Finance Mechanisms From Around The World.

Dr. Mandle works with governments, multilateral development banks, and NGOs, especially in Latin America and Asia, to incorporate the environmental impact of land management and infrastructure projects on ecosystem services, social equity, and human health within development decisions.

Prior to joining NatCap, She earned her Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a combined A.B./Sc.B. in Anthropology and Biology from Brown University.

Topics discussed:

• Dr. Mandle’s intellectual evolution from a Ph.D. in Botany to researching Natural Capital Policy and Financial Mechanisms.

• Overview of the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University.

  • InVEST Software: Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs.

  • 500+ National and Global Partnerships with Research Institutions, Governments, NGOs, and Private Sector.

  • Natural Capital Symposium in Early June 2024.

• The International and Multidisciplinary Collaboration Process for Green Growth That Works: Natural Capital Policy and Finance Mechanisms From Around The World.

• Key Concepts: Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services.

• Natural Capital and Policy Mechanisms and Case Studies:

  • Government Subsidy Mechanisms: Watershed Conservation for New York City.

  • Regulatory Driven Mitigation: Stormwater Retention Credit Program in Washington D.C.

  • Voluntary Conservation: Amazon Region Protected Areas Program.

  • Market-Driven Transactions

    • Ecosystem Certifications: Coffee Products and Eco-Tourism

    • Impact Investing: Environmental Impact Bond from Washington D.C.

• Ongoing Global Project: People, Planet, Prosperity: Mainstreaming Nature in Policy & Investment Decisions

  • Recent Milestone: Launch of Pacific Natural Capital Fund with initial $15m from Global Environment Facility and Asian Development Bank.

Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice. The interview took place on 29th November 2023.