Financing for Nature‑Based Solutions on Private Land
17. June 13:30 - 15:15
Conference Room
The session explores practical pathways to secure long-term financing for implementing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) on private land and supportive policy frameworks. This session aims to foster an open and practice-oriented dialogue on how Nature-Based Solutions on private land can move from isolated projects toward long-term, scalable, and financially viable implementation.
Participants will examine how local governments can effectively engage and negotiate with private landowners, and how financing models can encourage more nature-positive economic activities while reducing harmful subsidies. The discussion will build around emerging insurance products, public–private co-investment models, and other financial instruments that encourage landowners to adopt and maintain NBS.
Speakers
Vice-President - City Finance Specialist, Bankers without Boundaries
Diana Espada, Vice-President - City Finance Specialist, Bankers without Boundaries
Diana is the City Finance Specialist for Portugal, representing the NZC Capital Hub with support to the cities of Guimarães, Porto and Lisbon in structuring and mobilising private capital for the cities' Climate Investment Plan. She has over 15 years experience in project finance and structured finance, at a commercial bank in Angola and 7 years experience in impact finance and sustainability consulting.
Diana holds an MBA from the Graduate School of Business of the University of Cape Town and an Economics degree from Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Project Manager, Agency for the Support of Regional Development Košice
Lenka Kristofova, Project Manager, Agency for the Support of Regional Development Košice
Lenka Kristofová works as a project manager at the Agency for the Support of Regional Development Košice (ARR), where she focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. She is actively involved in international initiatives such as Land4Climate, supporting the implementation of nature-based solutions on private land. Alongside project management, she develops and delivers educational activities for primary and secondary school students, raising awareness on environmental protection, climate change, circular economy, and sustainability. Her work connects practical implementation with education, helping to build climate resilience and environmental responsibility across different target groups.
Head of Department, Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change, Ambiente Italia
Marina Trentin, Head of Department, Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change, Ambiente Italia
Graduated in Environmental Sciences and earned a Master's Degree in Land Use and Water Management in Developing Countries. After several experiences in international cooperation and emergency response, particularly in the sustainable management of natural resources and Water and Sanitation issues. I have collaborated with various public, private, and third-sector organizations, in Italy and abroad, on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable management of natural and water resources in climate-change context. Between 2012 and 2018, Italian freshwater officer for the WWF European Alpine Programme. In Ambiente Italia, I coordinate the area Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change, working on biodiversity, urban and territorial regeneration, the use of Nature-Based Solutions and ecosystem services for adaptation to climate change.
Board President, Greenroofs by ANCV
Dr. Paulo Palha, Board President, Greenroofs by ANCV
Paulo Palha is an Agronomic Engineer, CEO of Neoturf, a leading Portuguese company specializing in nature-based solutions for urban environments, including green roofs, living walls, and sustainable landscapes. With over three decades of experience, he has been involved in hundreds of projects in Portugal and internationally. Paulo is actively engaged in research and innovation, notably leading the Green Urban Living (GUL) project, which developed the first Portuguese green roof system made entirely from cork industry by-products. A frequent speaker at international events such as the Urban Future Conference and the World Green Infrastructure Congress, he is also President of the Portuguese National Association of Green Roofs, contributing to policy, technical guidelines, and the integration of nature-based solutions into cities.
Associate Director, Economics, WSP
Charles Coverdale, Associate Director, Economics, WSP
Charles is an applied economist with over 9 years of professional experience in economic research and analysis, commercial modelling, climate finance, and infrastructure development. He joined Ricardo’s London office in early 2025 as an Associate Director (Economics) in Ricardo’s Policy, Strategy, and Economics practice. At Ricardo, Charles also leads climate finance for the Mission Implementation Platform for Adaptation (MIP4Adapt) for the European Commission. Prior to Ricardo, Charles led economic, regulatory, and infrastructure engagements at a leading boutique advisory and investment firm.
Charles brings specialty academic and industry expertise in private sector financing for climate adaptation projects, renewables and carbon project development, and net zero policy. He is often called upon to advise boards and management teams on strategy and investment decisions across the energy, agricultural, and technology sectors.
Moderators
Expert, Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions, ICLEI Europe
Marcelo Gerlach, Expert, Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions, ICLEI Europe
Marcelo's current work focuses on researching and practising social-ecological interactions, nature-based solutions, and the transition to agroecology with local governments across Europe. His other interests and areas of work include agroforestry, social ecology, epistemic colonialism and political educational work.
Expert, Resilience and Climate Adaptation, ICLEI Europe
Laura Pirazan-Palomar, Expert, Resilience and Climate Adaptation, ICLEI Europe
Laura is an Urban Resilience and Adaptation Expert at ICLEI Europe. She is an environmental engineer with a double Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management and Development from the Technische Hochschule Köln (TH Köln) in Germany and the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP) in Mexico. Laura has experience in environmental consulting in Colombia and has also contributed to academia as an external tutor at TH Köln, developing project ideas related to nature-based solutions (NbS) and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction. Currently, she is actively involved in EU-funded projects focusing on climate change adaptation, NbS, urban resilience, cultural heritage, and climate finance for adaptation.
Junior Expert, Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions
Nandni Shah, Junior Expert, Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions
Nandni Shah is an urban sustainability professional working at the intersection of urban research, climate action, and practical implementation. She works with ICLEI Europe in Freiburg within the Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions team, contributing to various NbS initiatives across cities and regions in Europe.