Financing restorative marine economies: Insights from NZ finance and investment experts

Restorative economies are practical models that aim to reverse environmental degradation and build natural capital by fostering new investments and business enterprises.

The Restorative marine economies project aims to develop knowledge and decision support tools, such as impact investment frameworks and models, to enable economic mechanisms for the restoration of coastal and marine environments.

Our researchers conducted interviews with sustainable finance and investment specialists, carbon market experts, banks, risk management and insurance modelers, and iwi trusts. Questions about the opportunities and challenges facing restorative economies were focused on awareness of the blue economy, drivers for investment, revenue sources and establishing restoration as a mainstream asset class.

About the speakers  

Cerasela Stancu is the Sustainability Director for EnviroStrat, and is part of the research team for the Restorative marine economies project. Cerasela works with private sector and government organisations on sustainability solutions and integration of natural capital and ecosystem services in policy and business decisions, including performance measurement and disclosure. She is focused on investment for impact as a viable concept for landscape level solutions in New Zealand and working with interested parties on supporting actions at the nexus between water, food and carbon. 

Jason Mika (Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahungunu) is an associate professor at Te Raupapa Waikato Management School and Te Kotahi Research Institute at the University of Waikato. Jason is part of the research team for the Restorative marine economies project, as well as co-leader of Indigenising the blue economy. Jason’s research, teaching, writing, and practice centres on Indigenous business philosophy in multiple sites, sectors, and scales, including Indigenous trade, tourism, agribusiness, and the marine economy.