How can Australian businesses and investors manage impacts on nature and deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystems?

Join the UN Global Compact Network Australia at this networking evening on Thursday 11 August 5.00pm (AEST) to:

Understand how the UN Global Compact Network Australia can support your organisation in achieving its sustainable development goals
Understand the nature-related risks and opportunities your business faces
Prepare your business for the emerging global tools and frameworks being developed to manage nature-related risks
Understand the relationship between nature-based solutions and tackling the climate crisis
Learn how your business can contribute to more positive outcomes for nature
Network with like-minded organisations and connect with the UN Global Compact Network Australia team

Speakers:

John Finisdore, Senior Manager, Natural Capital, Point Advisory
John has 20 years of experience supporting public and private sector organizations through strategic action on finance, natural capital and adaptation to climate change. He is an expert in natural capital accounting, valuation, risk assessment, compliance and green bonds. He also helped develop several guidance documents including the Corporate Ecosystem Services Review, The Guide to Corporate Ecosystem Valuation, TEEB for Business and Enterprise and the Biological Diversity Protocol. The BD Protocol was launched in Australia in 2021 and is already being implemented. He participates in UN SEEA, the Capitals Coalition and CDSB Biodiversity Working Group.
Kylie Porter, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia
Kylie Porter is the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA); the Australian Local Network of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact. She is also a board member of the UN Global Compact and holds the positions of Co-Chair of the UN Global Compact’s Global Network Council and Chair of the Regional National Council for the Asia Oceania region. Kylie is an experienced and well-regarded sustainability leader with 20 years’ of experience in the corporate and international development sectors. She holds expertise in advising and managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) reputation risk for business and leading on and integrating responsible business initiatives into company strategies and operations. This includes initiatives associated with decarbonisation, the just transition, the application of human rights standards and frameworks including modern slavery, and the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Liam Walsh, System Lead, Food Land & Oceans, ClimateWorks Australia
Liam leads Climateworks’ efforts across Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific to reduce emissions associated with the way we use our land and ocean and to improve natural sinks of GHGs through ecosystem stewardship and improvements in agriculture. He has worked with a variety of actors to drive change at the intersection between climate, biodiversity conservation and agriculture, including major companies and government partners in Australia, Vietnam, Kenya, Liberia and the UK. He has worked for organisations that include the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation, WWF, Conservation International, Fauna and Flora International and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Ruth McDonnell, Divisional Manager, Place Based Planning & Resilience, Yarra Valley Water
Ruth McDonnell is the Divisional Manager of Place Based Planning & Resilience at Yarra Valley Water. She oversees functions including Integrated Water Management, Aboriginal Partnerships, Land Regeneration, Modelling and Climate Resilience. Ruth is a Peter Cullen Trust Fellow and took part in the Women in Water Leadership Program in 2021. She recently presented at the OzWater’22 Conference in Brisbane on Yarra Valley Water’s biodiversity aspirations and pilot projects. Ruth enjoys the challenge of bridging the gap between high-level strategy and on-ground works, and she strives to influence positive change in community, environmental and cultural outcomes. On a personal level, Ruth is the founder of an environment group in her neighbourhood where she collaborates with community and council to run working bees for revegetation projects.

We look forward to seeing you there.