Finance leaders rally for sustainable future at Building Bridges 2024

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Against a backdrop of growing skepticism around ESG investing, the event rallied 450 asset managers and owners, alongside government leaders, UN officials, youth activists, and civil society representatives, to champion the vital role of sustainable finance in addressing climate change and societal challenges.
With over 3,000 in-person attendees, Building Bridges showcased the unstoppable momentum of sustainable finance as a cornerstone of global development. The summit’s unifying message: aligning capital with sustainability is not just necessary—it’s urgent.

"Bringing Boardrooms into Nature"

One of the event's most memorable moments came from Xiye Bastida, a Mexican biodiversity advocate, who urged leaders to think beyond financial metrics: “Not only bring nature into the boardroom, but bring the boardrooms into nature.”

Among initiatives, the Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE), launched by the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA), took center stage. This initiative aims to make African nature-based projects investable, addressing both climate and biodiversity challenges.

Most interesting was the presentation of the conference chairs, Patrick Odier and Karen Hitschke, who underscored why sustainable finance is indispensable:

• Catalyzing Climate Action: Climate change demands immediate, large-scale investments to decarbonize industries and support renewable energy development
• Recognizing Nature's Value: The financial sector must account for the economic and societal risks of biodiversity loss
• Ensuring Equity: Sustainable finance must bridge gaps, ensuring vulnerable communities aren't left behind in the green transition

“Sustainable finance is more than a strategy—it’s a shared responsibility.”