Rewilding with Ben Goldsmith and Tomer Strikovsky

Rewilding with Ben Goldsmith and Tomer Strikovsky

In this special video episode of Sustainability Talks, our partner Tomer Strikovsky hosts an in-person sit-down discussion with Ben Goldsmith, the UK's leading voice in rewilding, to explore the concept of nature capital and its implications for conservation and sustainable farming. The conversation delves into the differences between rewilding and traditional conservation, the benefits of rewilding for ecosystems and communities, and the resistance faced by farming communities.

They discuss innovations in farming policies, the importance of urban biodiversity, and the emerging markets for biodiversity credits as a means to scale rewilding efforts. The episode emphasises the need for a cultural shift towards valuing nature and integrating it into our daily lives. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the critical intersection of finance, biodiversity, and rewilding. They discuss the emerging legal requirements for companies to disclose their impacts on nature, the role of institutional investors in natural capital, and the innovative technologies driving the nature tech revolution. The conversation highlights the importance of keystone species like beavers in ecosystems, the vision for rewilding at Kenwood Farm, and the opportunities for startups in nature tech. They also explore the potential of financial innovation and AI in enhancing biodiversity management, while addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

About Ben Goldsmith

Ben is one of the leading voices on rewilding in the UK. He’s been active in both conservation and sustainable investment for more than two decades. He co-founded and led sustainable investment firms such as Nattergal Nature Capital, WHEB Asset Management, and the listed investment trust Menhaden Resource Efficiency.

Beyond investing, Ben has played a huge role in environmental philanthropy. He co-founded the UK Environmental Funders Network and chairs both the Conservative Environment Network and the Conservation Collective. He’s also served as a trustee of CIFF and was a non-executive director at DEFRA, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, where he helped shape groundbreaking environmental policies.

Ben is also the author of the highly acclaimed book God is an Octopus and the host of Rewilding the World—probably the leading podcast worldwide on the topic of rewilding.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rewilding and Nature Capital

02:53 Understanding Rewilding vs. Conservation

06:05 The Benefits of Rewilding for Ecosystems and Communities

08:57 Addressing Resistance to Rewilding

12:06 Innovations in Farming and Environmental Policies

16:49 Living with Nature: Urban Biodiversity and Connection

22:52 Scaling Rewilding through Nature Capital

26:01 The Future of Biodiversity Credits and Corporate Responsibility

26:47 Nature-Related Financial Disclosure and Biodiversity Credits

28:13 The Role of Institutional Investors in Natural Capital

30:32 The Nature Tech Revolution

32:06 The Importance of Beavers in Ecosystems

35:51 Kenwood Farm: A Vision for Rewilding

39:12 Opportunities in Nature Tech Startups

40:44 Financial Innovation in Natural Capital

42:41 AI's Role in Biodiversity Management

45:56 Reintroduction of Species and Climate Change

47:30 Quick Fire Round: Insights and Reflections