Challenging deforestation with impact investment

University of Oxford Saïd Business School:

The founders came together following their participation in the School’s Social Finance Programme, which aims to demonstrate how blended capital and effective policy can tackle some of the world's most complex problems.

“The Oxford Social Finance Programme brought the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to the front of my mind and I felt the need to act fast to make a meaningful difference to the planet. I met other likeminded individuals, and bringing my experience in finance and business, together we created Amazonia Impact Ventures” explains Pajani, a partner in a London based Hedge fund.

Aldo has been working with indigenous communities in the Amazon for more than 15 years, most recently at the Rainforest Foundation where he launched the first development impact bond in Latin America. He says “The best way to protect the Amazon is to empower the indigenous people living there to look after it, which is the inspiration behind AIV.

Indigenous lands cover 35% of the Amazon; many of these lands protect intact forest landscapes, which are critical strongholds for their role in climate change. We need to mobilise capital now to protect these forests while improving indigenous peoples' livelihoods.”