Investing in Nature: From Evidence to Decision

Join Value Australia, in partnership with the Royal Society of Victoria (RSV), for an evening of conversation and connection.

This invite-only event is an official side event of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia Conference, bringing together investors, ecologists and decision-makers to explore how nature is becoming visible, measurable and financially relevant in the decisions that shape capital, risk and value. The focus is not on theory, but on how ecological evidence is being used, today, to inform real-world decisions across finance, business and policy. 

The evening will feature a keynote from Pavan Sukhdev, alongside Brendan Wintle, with discussion moderated by Rayne van den Berg. The session will move from global context to Australian application, followed by light refreshments and networking. 

Light refreshments will be available.

Spaces are limited, so please register by 5pm on Tuesday, May 19th to secure your place.

Please note, the venue is a historical building and has stair-only access, and a flight of stairs up to the theatre room and amenities. If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility, please reach out to the RSV team at rsv@rsv.org.au

Meet the speakers

Pavan Sukhdev (Keynote) 

Pavan Sukhdev is a leading environmental economist and global authority on valuing nature. He led the landmark The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative, which reshaped how governments, businesses and financial institutions understand and account for natural capital, and has been instrumental in advancing the integration of nature into economic and financial systems worldwide. 

Former President of WWF International, his work has influenced policy, corporate strategy and financial decision-making at the highest levels. As Founder and CEO of GIST Impact, he works with businesses and investors to measure, value and integrate environmental and social impacts into financial decision-making, helping translate nature’s value into decision-useful information. 

Brendan Wintle 

Professor Brendan Wintle is a biodiversity conservation scientist at the University of Melbourne, Director of the Melbourne Biodiversity Institute and founder of Australia’s Biodiversity Council. He specialises in biodiversity science, spatial modelling, decision support, and assessing nature risk in economic development and investment. He is widely recognised for his work on how environmental decisions are made under uncertainty in the context of biodiversity decline and climate change. He was director of Australia’s National Threatened Species Recovery Research Hub (2016-2022), coordinating lead author for Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, and serves as non-executive director at Zoos Victoria. 

Rayne van den Berg (Moderator) 

Rayne van den Berg is Chief Value Officer of Value Australia and former CFO of Forico, where she led the development of some of the first Natural Capital Reports globally to articulate nature’s value in financial terms. With a background spanning finance, forestry and sustainability, Rayne works at the forefront of integrating natural capital into decision-making. 

Currently leading a global forestry initiative, convening 18 major forestry owners across 28 million hectares to prepare harmonised Natural Capital Accounts. The initiative is focused on developing consistent, decision-useful approaches to measuring and reporting nature, supporting more informed capital allocation, risk management and long-term value creation. 

Estelle Parker

Estelle Parker is Co-CEO of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), where she leads research, policy, standards and certification programs that support the growth and professionalism of responsible investment across the region. With a 20-year career at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Estelle brings deep expertise in government relations, sustainable finance and policy development, and currently serves on several leading global and national initiatives including the TNFD Consultation Group for Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute Steering Committee, and the Australian Government’s Natural Capital Working Group.

As an official side event, this discussion forms part of a broader week of conversations shaping the future of responsible investment across Australasia.

Learn more about the Responsible Investment Association Australasia Conference 2026 below

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia Conference 2026 is Australasia’s leading responsible investment event, bringing together leaders across investment, finance, business and policy to explore the future of capital, sustainability and long-term value creation. The conference convenes local and global experts to examine the trends, frameworks and market shifts shaping responsible investment across the region.

Register here: https://www.responsibleinvestment.org/events-news/conference/australia/2026/get-tickets

Value Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise First Peoples as the world’s oldest continuous living culture and honour their enduring connection to land, waters and skies.